Class Descriptions

EARLY CHILDHOOD AND ELEMENTARY MUSIC IS…

Science	Music is the Science of Sound known as Acoustics
Math	We sing Fractions! At one time, Music was considered to be a branch of Mathematics.
Physical Education	Singing, dancing, singing games, moving to the music!
Social Science	The curriculum is based on Folk songs, our “Musical Mother Tongue.” We sing and dance our history and culture.
Foreign Language	Many songs are sung in their original language, other than English. Most of our music terms are Italian words. German and French terms are sometimes used also.
But mostly- Art	Music allows us to create expression, to worship, to tell stories, to move, even to have fun.

 

EARLY CHILDHOOD MUSIC IS…

For children in Pre-kindergarten or Kindergarten. These are children who are either four or five years old on September 1, 2011. These children should be potty trained before enrolling in this class!

This is an excellent time for children to begin learning music! The earlier, the better, and only the best music is taught to these little ones.

The children will explore their first musical instrument, the Voice. We will be singing simple children's folk songs, known as the Musical Mother Tongue. Children will have their first experiences with ear training and they will learn to reproduce with their voices what they hear. They will also learn to discern different styles of music, that is, fast/slow, connected/separated, soothe/march style, etc.

We will use lots of movement for rhythm. As the children progress, we will pull out the rhythm sticks! Many of these movement activities help young children develop their fine motor skills, as well as to contrast different music styles.

At present, this class ends when the combined rehearsals for the older students begin. Since this is the first year we offer this class, we will explore our options for performance in concerts according to parental preferences.

ELEMENTARY MUSIC IS…

For students in grades one through four. This class offers your children a fun, fast-paced learning experience. We emphasize singing because the Voice is the Natural Instrument, our starting place, and students are taught to use their voices properly. This causes them to learn about the throat, lungs, muscles around the stomach area, breathing, listening, and the discipline to put it all together in order to sing with the best sound.

In this class, students learn Folk Songs, Folk Dancing, “Play-parties,” Music Games, Rhythm, Ear-training, Reading Music, Music Literature, and even Instrumental Music. All students learn to play simple rhythm instruments. Students in Grades 3 and 4 learn to play the recorder, a small, flute-like instrument used hundreds of years ago before the modern-day flute was used in the orchestra of today.

This class gives children a solid foundation in music and a real appreciation of it. They will more likely want to pursue music further in band, orchestra, or choir. They will also be more motivated to practice if they pursue music further.

BEGINNING BAND IS ...

This is for students in grades 5 and up with no experience playing a band instrument.

In Beginning Band, students learn proper care and use of their instruments, correct hand position and mouthpiece placement where applicable, tone production, notes, rhythm, fingerings, musicianship, technique, and of course, working together as a team or BAND.

INTERMEDIATE BAND IS ...

This is for students in Grades 6-12 that have had at least one year of band instruction on the instrument that they will be playing in this class. A quick, private audition may be necessary to determine whether or not this class would be appropriate.

In this class, students will continue learning technique and musicianship. The emphasis will be on performance in an ensemble and as an individual.

ADVANCED BAND IS ...

For advanced students in Grades 7-12. Emphasis is in performance and competition. Concerts are planned for different times during the school year as appropriate.

For all groups, concerts and contests are planned at different times during the school year as appropriate.