Class Descriptions

ELEMENTARY MUSIC IS…

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 ...

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.

ADVANCED BEGINNING BAND IS ...

For students who started August or September 2005.

INTERMEDIATE BAND 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. If possible, we will participate in competitions.

CONCERT 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.

Music is the Science of Sound known as Acoustics

We sing Fractions! At one time, Music was considered to be a branch of Mathematics.

Singing, dancing, singing games, moving to the music!

The curriculum is based on Folk songs, our “Musical Mother Tongue.” We sing and dance our history and culture.

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.

Music allows us to create expression, to worship, to tell stories, to move, even to have fun.