Music Education
Music Education is a multisensory experience. Listening, seeing, moving, and feeling are all important in the music education curriculum, making music a natural discipline through which to develop sensory perception and psychomotor skills. Data shows that students with academic experience in music scored higher on standardized tests.
Music Curriculum
Grade K: Introduction to instruments of the orchestra; focus on ear training and learning to match pitch; introduction to movement and rhythm as well as tempo and dynamics; introduction to singing liturgical and secular music
Grade 1: Review instruments of the orchestra; continue singing and recognizing sound and pitch; introduction to simple choreography; continue singing liturgical and secular music; introduction to composers from the classical era; review simple rhythm patterns and play mixed rhythmic patterns on instruments; introduction to simple rhythm patterns on the hand bells; introduction to playing and caring for the Baroque recorder
Grade 2: Continue singing and recognizing sound and pitch; continued practice with simple choreography; continue singing liturgical and secular music; further introduction to composers of the classical era; continue playing mixed rhythmic patterns on instruments; learn to read music with note names in treble clef; learn to present a piece for performance; continue playing using five note songs and caring for the Baroque recorder; identify note value (whole, half, dotted half, quarter notes)
Grade 3: Continue singing and recognizing sound and pitch; continued practice with simple choreography; continue singing liturgical and secular music; continued exposure to composers of the classical era; review mixed rhythmic patterns using rhythm instruments; continue reading music with note names; learn sharps and flats and how to write rhythmic cadences; learn to present a piece for performance; continue playing using six note songs and caring for the Baroque recorder
Grade 4: Continue singing and recognizing sound and pitch; continued practice with simple choreography; continue singing liturgical and secular music; continued exposure to composers of the classical era; review mixed rhythmic patterns using rhythm instruments; learn to read notes, play guitar tablature, and use appropriate fingering; learn to present a piece on guitar for performance
Grade 5: Continue singing and recognizing sound and pitch; introduction to proper singing and breathing techniques; continued practice with simple choreography; continue singing liturgical and secular music; learn to read notes, play piano, and use appropriate fingering; learn to present a piece on the piano for performance; introduction to stage presence
Grade 6: Continue singing and recognizing sound and pitch; continued practice with proper singing and breathing techniques; continued practice with simple choreography; continued practice with simple choreography; continue singing liturgical and secular music; learn three chords and simple strumming patterns on the guitar; learn to play guitar duets; learn to present a piece on the guitar for performance; continue to practice stage presence
Grades 7-8: Junior High Music Education is part of the elective program. Classes are designed for the duration of one trimester. Students can elect to take Choir which serves as the special events choir. The main focus of the Drama elective is performing in the Christmas program.
Music Grading Policy
Grades in Music Education are based on a five point scale, whereby students may earn points daily based on the following: 1. Fruits of the Spirit; 2. Student Learning Expectations; 3. Effort; 4. Conduct; and 5. Music Application.