The McKinney ISD elementary music program is well known for its quality. McKinney elementary music specialists have been presenter at state and national music conventions. Students in the elementary schools attend music classes taught by specialists schooled in the Kodaly methodology. The goal of the music program at this level is musical literacy. Students are engaged in activities where they HEAR music of the highest quality, SING a wide variety of folk, seasonal, and patriotic music, DERIVE basic music elements from the songs and listening selections, WRITE compositions consisting of concepts presented, READ music independently, CREATE their own compositions, and PERFORM for others.

Music classrooms include a full complement of pitched and unpitched percussion instruments. Specialists use the techniques of Carl Orff to enable students to perform independently and in groups.