LOWER SCHOOL (LS) PRE K-4TH GRADE

Stage 1: Exploring (Prek-First Grade)
The music curriculum for students in prek through first grade is based on folk songs and rhymes. Music goals for students in this age group include:
1. Accurate rhythmic skills
2. Accurate singing skills
3. Sensitivity to the expressive qualities of music

Prek, kindergarten and first grade classes are based on the following types of musical activities:
1. Pitch Exploration (vocal warm-ups)
2. Song Fragments (echo songs and call and response)
3. Simple Songs (songs with 3, 4 or 5 notes, and simple rhythms)
4. Song Tales (songs that tell a story, sung by the teacher for the students)
5. Movement Exploration (movement warm-ups)
6. Movement for Form and Expression (includes circle games, finger plays and actions songs as well as expressive movement with classical music)
7. Movement with the beat (includes songs and rhymes with beat motions, as well as beat motions with classical music)

Stage 2: Developing (Grades 2-4)
In second grade, students begin the process of becoming musically literate. Being musically literate includes being able to understand and interpret musical sounds and symbols, as well as write musical notation. The process for acquiring musical literacy is the same as that which is used to teach a child his or her own language: one should learn with his/her ears before learning with his/her eyes. For the first year or so of a child’s life, s/he listens to those around him/her speak. The child then begins to speak by imitating what s/he has heard. Later, when the child attends school, s/he learns to read and write. Similarly, the music literacy method used in music class develops “conversational” music skills before reading and writing music.
The selection of songs and rhymes used to teach music literacy are mainly from traditional folksongs. These songs and rhymes best reflect the natural melodic and rhythmic inflection of our musical language. Songs and rhymes are selected which feature rhythm and tonal patterns which students are studying. In second grade, these rhythm and tonal patterns are relatively simple. As students get older, the patterns become more complex. During each unit of study, students follow a step by step process. When the class, as a whole, has been successful with the first step, we move on to the next step, and so on:
1. Readiness: at this stage students learn songs and rhymes by rote that contain musical information (tones and rhythms), which will be studied later.
2. Conversational: At this stage, students repeat tones and rhythms that the teacher performs. Later, they decode these patterns. (When a child decodes patterns, s/he listens to the musical pattern and is able to figure out what tones and/or rhythms s/he is hearing). At this stage, students also verbally create their own rhythm and tonal patterns.
3. Reading: During this stage, students learn to read the rhythm and tonal patterns that they have heard, sung and performed in earlier stages.
4. Writing: At this stage, students learn to write rhythm and tonal patterns that they have heard and read in earlier stages. Students also read and write their own material at this stage. In other words, they are composing music!

Orff Instruments: Students in grades 1-4 learn to play Orff instruments. Orff instruments are xylophones that range in size from small glockenspiels all the way up to large bass xylophones. Orff activities include songs, rhymes and games. When students are secure in singing the song and playing the game that goes with it, the xylophone parts are gradually introduced. Students learn to play the xylophone part first through the use of body percussion (tapping, clapping and/or snapping rhythms with the hands and feet) before learning to play the parts on the xylophones. Playing Orff xylophones helps to develop students’ coordination, rhythmic skills and melodic awareness. Students are also developing musical independence and ensemble skills by learning to play a unique part while others in the class are simultaneously playing different parts.

Folk Dance: Students in grades 2-4 learn to perform traditional folk dances from around the world. This is a great activity for developing grace and a sense of rhythm as well as the ability to work with others.

Recorders: Students in grades 3-4 study the soprano recorder. The recorder is a small, wind instrument that is played by blowing air through the mouthpiece and covering holes to produce different pitches. Students in third and fourth grade participate in Recorder Karate.  For each song they learn, they earn a "karate belt."  Students begin with the white belt song (which is the simplest) and gradually progress all the way up to the black belt song (which is the most difficult).  Students in fourth grade learn to play all of the recorders in the recorder family including the sopranino, alto, tenor and bass, while also continuing to study the soprano recorder.  At this stage, the focus is on learning to read recorder music and participate in a recorder ensemble, as well as compose original music for the recorder.

UPPER SCHOOL (US) 5TH-8TH GRADE

Stage 3: Expressing (Grades 5-8)

As students enter adolescence, they begin to explore their identity and become eager to express what makes them unique individuals.  By this time, students have also developed a basic foundation in musical skills.  They are ready to take what they have learned and begin to express themselves by creating their own music.  For these reasons, Upper School music classes include many opportunities for students to create their own musical compositions.

Drumming: Students in grades 5-8 have the opportunity to study drumming. The drumming styles include music from various West African and Latin American countries. Students begin by learning a variety of rhythmic vocabulary patterns. Later these patterns are combined to create ensemble pieces. Students are also given the opportunity to improvise, or create their own drumming patterns.

Keyboards: Students in grades 5-8 have the opportunity to study keyboard (piano). Skills include correct hand position, technical studies, performance pieces and music theory. 

Guitar: Students in grades 5-8 have the opportunity to study guitar. Skills to be introduced will include hand position, basic chords, tab notation and music reading skills.

Music Composition: Students in grades 5-8 have the opportunity to compose (create) their own original music using computer software.

SPECIAL ENSEMBLES: 2ND - 8TH GRADE

-STUDENTS MUST BE IN GOOD ACADEMIC STANDING TO PARTICPATE IN ENSEMBLES-

Children's Chorus: Students in grades 2-4 will have the opportunity to participate in Children's Chorus. Children will learn to sing alone and with others a variety of music. In addition to meeting every Monday afternoon, there will be some afterschool rehearsals. The Children's Chorus will perform on two concerts per year: a Winter and Spring Concert. There may be additional performances added as approved by the director like (e.g., All School Meetings).

Beginning Band: Students in grades 4th have the opportunity to participate in the school band. Instruments offered include the flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, xylophone and percussion.  Students develop skills on their instrument during small group lessons each week.  In addition ,there may be after school rehearsals designated at needed.  Beginning in early February, beginner students will join us for weekly band rehearsals.  The band performs on two concerts per year: a Winter and Spring Concert. 

Intermediate Band: Students in grades 5-8 have the opportunity to participate in the school band. Instruments offered include the flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, xylophone and percussion.  Students develop skills on their instrument during small group lessons each week.  In addition ,there may be after school rehearsals designated at needed. Beginning in early February, beginner students will join us for weekly band rehearsals.  The band performs on two concerts per year: a winter concert in January and a spring concert in June. 

World Drumming: Students in grades 5-8 will have the opportunity to participate in the World Drumming Ensemble. Instruments offerred include: Djembe, Djun Djun, Shekere, Congas, Bongos, and many more! Students develop skills on their instruments during weekly meetings which will be held Friday afternoons. World Drumming performs on two concerts per year, Winter and Spring. In addition, there may be some afterschool rehearsals as needed. There may be additional performances added as approved by the director like (e.g., All School Meetings).

Show Choir: Students in 5-8 grade will have the opportunity to participate in Show Choir. Students will learn to sing alone and with othera a variety of music. They will meet every Wednesday afternoon to rehearse, some afterschool rehearsals may be needed. The Show Choir will perform on two concerts per year: A Winter and Spring Concert. There may be additional performances added as approved by the director like (e.g., All School Meetings).