08/26/2026
Great Music Programs Start with Great Educators
At The Birches Academy, music is so much more than learning songs or playing an instrument. Our students are learning to read music, understand rhythm and harmony, train their ears, improvise, compose, collaborate, and build confidence as musicians.
We are incredibly fortunate to have Mr. Andrew Jones leading and developing our music program and bringing his creativity, knowledge, and passion for music education into our classrooms.
Over the past six years, Mr. Jones has developed a comprehensive 4th grade ukulele and musicianship curriculum here at The Birches. This summer, he took that work one step further by adapting the curriculum into a book that can now be used by students, families, and music educators beyond our school community.
His approach goes far beyond teaching students a few ukulele songs. Through each piece, students explore solfège, melody, harmony, staff notation, tablature, rhythm, improvisation, composition, ear training, and call-and-response exercises — building a strong musical foundation they can carry with them as they continue to grow.
We are especially excited that every Birches 4th grade student will receive the book at no cost as part of their music education. The book will also be available for purchase through Andrew Jones’ website for families, musicians, and educators interested in using the curriculum beyond The Birches.
We are proud to have educators like Mr. Jones who don't just teach a curriculum they create, innovate, and continually look for new ways to inspire students.
Programs like this are a big part of what makes a Birches education so special. And for families interested in joining our community, limited spots are currently available in 5th and 6th grade.
Congratulations, Mr. Jones, on turning years of classroom experience and creativity into a resource that can now inspire even more young musicians!
