The music curriculum provides students with a variety of experiences: instrumental and vocal. The goals of this program include:
- to provide vocal training and direction
- to provide instrumental instruction on an instrument-by-instrument basis
- to facilitate instrumental participation in a band
- to develop note and rhythm reading
- to develop students’ listening skills
- to establish good practice skills
The curriculum introduces and develops the skills fundamental to being a good musician: note reading, rhythm reading, listening and practicing. These classes participate in the Thanksgiving, Holiday and Closing Assemblies.
Instrumental Music Curriculum: Third – Fifth Grade
THIRD GRADE: Recorders are played to develop the skills necessary for next year’s band instrument.
FOURTH GRADE: All fourth graders receive one twenty minute group lesson each week. The instruments offered are flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet and trombone. Once the students become proficient, these lessons are replaced by a weekly Fourth Grade Band rehearsal. This band debuts at the Spring Concert.
FIFTH GRADE: All fifth graders continue their band participation with one weekly rehearsal, in preparation for their performance at the Spring Concert.
General Music Curriculum: Sixth-Ninth Grade
This curriculum expands the experiences from the earlier grades.
Handbells: Students read and play simple melodic music. As proficiency develops, harmonies are explored and added.
Theory: Students study scale and chord structure and rhythm.
Band and Chorus: Sixth-Ninth Grade
Students in Seventh through Ninth Grades elect to participate in one or both of these groups. Each group rehearses twice each week to prepare for the Holiday and Spring Concerts and Graduation.