Music Instruction

Directed choral singing and hand bell lessons are part of the Primary curriculum, with traditional concerts and recitals mid-year and year-end. A significant difference between the lower school and primary curriculum is the introduction of reading music. The end result is to perform music from written notation.

Exposure to unusual rhythm and tone is critical to music development; this is achieved by interjecting songs from different cultures throughout the year. Jazz, Blues, syncopated rhythms, classical and contemporary music are included as part of the overall exposure. Movement continues to be a part of every class.

The following formal concepts are introduced during the Primary school years:

• Understand that music notation moves from left to right
• Identify sound and silence by reading music rests
• Understand the difference between beat and rhythm
• Begin to read simple rhythm patterns
• Understand and use whole notes, half notes, and quarter notes
• Identify music staff, measures, time signatures and repeat sign
• Understand that notes on the treble clef demonstrate high and low pitches
• Identify clef lines and spaces
• Identify the use of accompaniment and no accompaniment in the piece
• Identify different vocal sounds-singing, talking whispering and shouting
• Understand and perform echo
• Experiment with solos in the classroom

Performing, creating, and responding to music are the fundamental
music processes in which our students engage. Singing, playing
instruments, and creating music enable them to acquire musical skills. Music is a basic expression of human culture. Our music education program provides every student with access to a balanced, comprehensive, and sequential curriculum in music study.

There are separate Instrumental and Vocal classes each taught by different instructors. Formal weekly violin and string lessons having both mid-year and year-end recitals. Chorus and musical theater performance classes having both mid-year and year-end concerts. The following concepts are developed into more secure skills:

• Introduce harmony, drone, ostinato and singing in rounds
• Solo in the classroom as well as in performance
• Sing and perform with the use of accompaniment, no accompaniment and recorded accompaniment
• Sing with expression, using good posture, diction and breath control
• Sing with sheet music and/or written lyric
• Sing using proper dynamics