The Berkeley Unified School District VAPA music department’s priority is to create equitable access to music education for all students. Regardless of race, ethnicity, disability, religious background, sexual orientation, identity, or socioeconomic status, one can experience the joy of learning, playing music. To that end, the BUSD VAPA music department and BUSD music staff have created several equity-specific programs for the sole purpose of building a more diverse and inclusive community for all students within the Berkeley Unified School District.
BIPOC Symposiums
An opportunity for BUSD music students, through a collection of artists, Instructors, and Speakers, to learn the Cultural and Historical context and roots of American Music {in a lecture/demonstration setting.}
BIPOC Orientation Day
A unique opportunity for BIPOC music students to come together and have a day of total music immersion with focused instruction, sectionals, community building, and fun. 4th-grade students will get a sneak peek into choosing their BUSD instrument. This will also mark our first BIPOC Parent Group (parents drop off students at orientation day and convene together). This event will take place on August 28, 2021, at Oxford Elementary.
BIPOC Summer Music Immersion Program
This week-long day camp is an extension of the orientation day. It will take place the following year- in August 2022. Intensive music theory, section rehearsals, playing in multiple ensembles and different genres- students will be immersed for a week in a day camp that will supercharge their music experience in the upcoming school year in BUSD.
BIPOC Parent Group
The BIPOC Parent Group is an opportunity for parents of BIPOC music students to be a part of a supportive and safe community. Within this community, parents of BIPOC music students can voice their concerns and be heard, hear tips and advice for navigating the BUSD music education system, learn about college opportunities, scholarships, and become a part of the foundation of equity in the Berkeley Unified School District. Meetings will be once a month on Thursday evenings and will include childcare and a student council/student leader component for middle and high schoolers. For more information and to become a part of this exciting opportunity, please click on the link below
Sign up for the BIPOC Parent Group
BIPOC Alumni Group
It’s important to stay in touch! BIPOC Alumni of our BHS/BUSD music programs can join this forum as a way to stay in touch with friends and classmates, receive information on possible employment opportunities, participate in our commissioned piece program and learn about ways to give back to the younger music community in Berkeley. For more information and to become a part of the BIPOC Alumni group, please click on the link below.