Music has always been an important part of the Monson-Sultana School community- and today, our music program is continuing to grow. 

At Monson Sultana, every student from TK through 8th grade participates in music, building skills, confidence, creativity, and a lifelong appreciation for music.

Our program is rooted in a strong tradition of musical excellence. For many years, Monson-Sultana students have shared their music with our school and community through concerts, festivals, special events, and performances throughout California. We are proud to honor the foundation established by Mary Pauls, whose years of dedication helped create a thriving music tradition at Monson-Sultana. 

Today, we are building upon that legacy while expanding opportunities for students to explore music in new ways.

 

Our youngest musicians develop the foundational skills that help them become confident and well-rounded musicians. Through singing, movement, games, instruments, and creative activities, students learn to:

- Keep and understand a steady beat

- Read and perform basic music notation

- Develop their musical vocabulary and listening skills

- Work cooperatively with their peers

- Express ideas and emotions through music

- Create and compose their own music 

- Build confidence through performance 

Our goal is not simply to teach students about music, but to give every child the opportunity to make, create, understand, and enjoy music. 

 

Beginning in 6th grade, students have the opportunity to choose between ukulele and drumline, allowing them to develop more specialized musical skills while continuing to grow as musicians and teammates. 

Ukulele students learn the fundamentals of playing a string instrument, including basic chords, rhythm patterns, strumming techniques, and playing together as an ensemble. 

The skills students develop in ukulele class provide an excellent foundation for students who may eventually want to learn guitar in high school. More importantly, students gain experience reading music, accompanying themselves and others, and making music collaboratively. 

Our 6th-8th drumline class introduces students to the fundamentals of a marching percussion ensemble. Students learn rhythm, technique, marching fundamentals, coordination, discipline, and teamwork while developing their skills as percussionists. 

The skills developed in our middle school drumline are designed to give students a strong foundation for continuing into drumline programs at the high school level. Students who choose to pursue marching percussion in high school will already have experience with many of the fundamental skills and expectations of a drumline ensemble. 

We are grateful to have Mr. Mario Anaya leading our drumline program. Mr. Anaya brings more than 20 years of drumline experience to our students and is helping us build an exciting and growing percussion program. 

 

For students who want additional opportunities to practice and grow as percussionists, we offer Raider Rhythm through the F.U.E.L. program led by Mr. Anaya.

Raider Rhythm provides students with additional rehearsal and practice time beyond the regular school day. This program gives students the opportunity to strengthen their technique, develop their musicality, and become stronger ensemble performers. 

This year, Raider Rhythm will offer both a beginning class and an advanced class, giving students an opportunity to learn at an appropriate level and continue progressing as their skills develop. 

 

As our music program continues to expand, we are excited to introduce two new auditioned ensembles for 6th-8th grade students: Raider Voices and Raider Regiment. 

Both groups have limited spots and are selected by audition. These ensembles are designed for students who are ready to take their musical skills, commitment, and teamwork to the next level. 

Raider Voices

Raider Voices is our auditioned 6th-8th grade honor choir. Students selected for Raider Voices will have the opportunity to develop their vocal technique, musicianship, ensemble skills, and performance abilities at an advanced level.

Raider Voices will represent Monson-Sultana at school functions, community celebrations, and special events throughout the year, serving as musical ambassadors for our school and community. 

Raider Regiment

Raider Regiment is our auditioned 6th-8th grade varsity drumline. This ensemble provides students with an opportunity to take the skills they have developed in their drumline classes and Raider Rhythm and apply them at a higher level. 

Members of Raider Regiment will continue developing advanced rhythm reading, marching technique, musical precision, teamwork, discipline, and ensemble performing skills. 

Performing in our Community

Raider Voices and Raider Regiment will serve as the face of our music program, performing frequently at school events, community celebrations, and other special events throughout the year. 

These ensembles represent an exciting new chapter for our music program: providing students with additional opportunities to perform, challenge themselves, and represent their school through music. 

 

The Monson-Sultana music program has a proud history of achievement. Under the direction of Mary Pauls, the school's choral program earned consistent recognition at CMEA festivals and performed at events including the CMEA Convention in Sacramento, the ACDA Western Division Convention, Disneyland's Magic Music Days, the Ronald Reagan Library, and Central Coast Choral Festival in San Luis Obispo. 

Monson-Sultana students have also participated in County Honor Choirs, ACDA 

Western Division Honor Choirs, and National ACDA Honor Choirs. The music department has performed for community organizations, retirement communities, service clubs, and special events throughout the region.

We are proud of everything that came before us and grateful to the teachers, students, families, and community members who helped make that history possible.

Now, we are building on that foundation.

 

Under the direction of Calista Domingcil, the Monson-Sultana music program is expanding beyond its strong choral tradition to give students opportunities in singing, ukulele, percussion, composition, ensemble performance, and music literacy.

 

Calista is in her fourth year of teaching and earned her Bachelor of Music Education from Vanguard University, where she studied under Dr. Joni Prado. She is passionate about creating meaningful musical experiences for students and developing a program where every student can find a place to belong, grow, and perform.

 

From our youngest students discovering a steady beat to our middle school musicians performing with Raider Voices and Raider Regiment, music at Monson-Sultana is growing—and we are excited about where it is going.

 

 

We believe music gives students more than musical skills. It teaches them to listen, collaborate, persevere, create, express themselves, and contribute to something greater than themselves.

We look forward to sharing the next chapter of the Monson-Sultana music program with our school and our community.