Music on the Farm
A Vibrant, Hands-On Musical Experience
At Pasture Raised Kids, Creative Freedom is more than just a philosophy — it’s the heartbeat of our approach to learning.
Music on the Farm stands at the forefront of this philosophy,
offering a dynamic program that combines the joy of music with the rich, rhythmic backdrop of farm life. Our mission is to fill the gap in music education within elementary and middle school curricula, particularly in Scott Valley and Siskiyou, by providing a comprehensive and immersive musical experience for students of all ages.
Folk & Music Foundations:
Dive into the basics of music with a focus on folk traditions. Students explore fundamental concepts while enjoying hands-on experiences with various instruments.
Rock Ensembles:
Students collaborate to learn and perform popular rock songs. This class emphasizes teamwork, stage presence, and dynamic performance, culminating in exciting live shows or recordings.
Blues Trios:
Delve into the soulful world of blues and R&B. Students play in small ensembles, mastering classic tunes, improvisation, and the stylistic elements of these influential genres.
Pop Orchestra:
Advanced students refine their collaborative performance skills with instructor-led song lists. Entrance assessment required.
Music Theory & Rhythm:
Explore the foundational principles of music theory, including rhythm, melody, and harmony. Students learn to read notation, analyze compositions, and understand music's historical and cultural contexts.
Music Tech & Songwriting:
Combine technology with creativity in this innovative class. Students use software and hardware to create original music, learn recording techniques, and experiment with electronic music production.
Intro to Ensembles
(Ages 6-7)
Young students discover the joy of playing music in small groups. They explore various instruments, basic music concepts, and develop essential teamwork and communication skills.
Folk & Music Foundations:
Dive into the basics of music with a focus on folk traditions. Students explore fundamental concepts while enjoying hands-on experiences with various instruments.
Rock Ensembles:
Students collaborate to learn and perform popular rock songs. This class emphasizes teamwork, stage presence, and dynamic performance, culminating in exciting live shows or recordings.
Blues Trios:
Delve into the soulful world of blues and R&B. Students play in small ensembles, mastering classic tunes, improvisation, and the stylistic elements of these influential genres.
Pop Orchestra:
Advanced students refine their collaborative
performance skills with instructor-led song lists.
Entrance assessment required.
Music Theory & Rhythm:
Explore the foundational principles of music theory, including rhythm, melody, and harmony. Students learn to read notation, analyze compositions, and understand music's historical
and cultural contexts.
Music Tech & Songwriting:
Combine technology with creativity in this innovative class. Students use software and hardware to create original music, learn recording techniques, and experiment with electronic
music production.
Intro to Ensembles
(Ages 6-7):
Young students discover the joy of playing music in small groups. They explore various instruments, basic music concepts, and develop essential teamwork and communication skills.
A Holistic Approach
to Music Education
Music on the Farm goes beyond traditional education, offering a hands-on, immersive experience that nurtures creativity, enhances brain development, and fosters community collaboration. By integrating music education with the natural rhythms of farm life, we provide students with a unique learning environment that encourages exploration and growth.
Over the past year, our music program has expanded to offer opportunities both within the traditional school day and outside of it. This includes after-school and summer programs available to both homeschool and conventional school families. Our goal is to ensure that every child in our rural community has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive through music.
Annie Kramer
Annie Kramer brings a wealth of experience and passion to our music program. A resident of Etna, Annie and her husband raised their three sons in the area. With a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Virginia, Annie has spent over thirty years supporting children and families in mental health agencies and schools. Now retired, she eagerly shares her love of music with our community.
Annie grew up in a musical family, performing folk and children’s music throughout her life. She plays guitar, piano, penny whistle, mountain dulcimer, and ukulele. As a member of “The Chalada Sisters,” she performs traditional and contemporary acoustic folk music and enjoys engaging in Appalachian clogging and contradance calling.
Meet Our Music Teachers
Jam with Us
At Pasture Raised Kids, we believe that every child deserves the chance to explore and express their musical talents. Our program offers a playful and engaging approach to music education, designed to inspire and cultivate a lifelong love of music. Whether through rock, blues, pop, or folk, your child will find a place to grow, learn, and thrive in our vibrant musical community.
Explore the possibilities and join us in celebrating the transformative power of music!
Thomas Walker
Thomas Walker’s musical journey began with classical piano studies under renowned pianist Lili Simon. He has since explored jazz guitar, pop and rock keyboards, electronic music, and more. A graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a B.A. in Instrumental Performance, Thomas has a diverse background in music, including private lessons, rock camps, recording, and various musical projects in Chicago and LA.
Thomas and his family are thrilled to be part of the Farm School community, bringing their rich musical expertise and passion to our students.