Grades K-2
Students at this primary level focus on moving and singing with a beat. Deciphering high and low pitches in simple songs, students sing independently and in a group. Students echo and create rhythm patterns using non-pitched instruments, distinguish between beat and rhythm, follow tempo and dynamic levels and respond to a conductor. Students learn how music can illustrate a story and represent a character. Students explore different instruments and how they are grouped into families by how the sound is made.
Grades 3-6
Students at this intermediate level focus on music notation. Students read whole, half, quarter, eighth and sixteenth notes and rests, triplets, doted rhythms and duple and triple meters. Students create music feely and within given parameters using various pitched and non-pitched instruments. Students read rhythms and short melodies from music notation, identify rhythm and beat through rhythmic dictation. Students use musical terms to describe tempo and dynamics and use these terms to perform music with mood and expression while following a conductor. Students sing from memory a variety of repertoire including patriotic, folk, standard and classical songs. Students identify composers and music from various historical periods. Identify musical instruments by sight and sound and group them into families by how the sound is made.
Grades 7-8
Middle school students choose electives. An example of curriculum for music electives:
Composition – Students improvise and create freely and within given guidelines using a variety of instruments and sounds. Students work independently and in groups and create music in a variety of styles and genres.
American Popular Music - Students learn about various styles of American music. Beginning with slave music, blues and jazz, the Crooners, Motown, country and folk, the British Invasion and its influence on American musicians, 70’s rock, musical theater, and various modern musical styles and cultures. Students create a final timeline to display learned information.
Spring Musical - This has become a favorite! Students audition for roles, memorize lines and perform 2 evening performances. The show is usually about an hour long and includes speaking, singing and some dancing. Students learn how to navigate the stage, explore their character, project their voices, express a variety of emotions, sing alone and together and tell a story.
