Band Program
Lower School Music
The Lower School music program is comprehensive, incorporating all aspects of the musical experience: singing, playing classroom instruments, moving and responding to music, notating, improvising and creating music, and describing or evaluating music. The origin, nature, and purpose of music, deriving from our Creator, are addressed, and students consider how music can be a means of glorifying God. Students gain a familiarity with the great composers and their works. Music and dance are incorporated into various class and school productions throughout the year. Kindergarteners perform a Native American harvest song as part of their study of Native American culture, fourth graders dance a roundel in their medieval mystery play, and fifth graders learn traditional American folk songs as they study the Revolutionary period.
Learning Music by Doing
Students learn within an interactive, hands-on setting, as music is best learned and enjoyed by doing, and the curriculum incorporates principles and methods of Feierabend, Kodaly, Gordon, Dalcroze, and Orff. As music concepts are explored and applied (often in small-group settings), self confidence, critical thinking, and social skills are also strengthened.
Middle and High School Music
Music 6
Music 6 is a general music/music appreciation class. The students will learn about the basic elements of music including form, mood, melody, harmony, tempo, rhythm and patterns used in music. Recorders will be used for hands-on study. Students will also study the history of music from early to modern times, with attention to specific composers and music, relating the periods to major world events as well. Materials will include recordings of some of the greatest works of past musical eras as well as learning fun facts about the music, musicians and composers in order to better understand, inspire, promote and develop the potential composer or arranger inside each of the students.
Music 7/8
Music 7/8 is an intermediate level general music/music appreciation class. The students will learn more complex elements of music as they relate to rhythm, melody, harmony, tone color, texture and form. They will experience music from films, Broadway musicals and operas, as well as program and special holiday music. Students will travel across the world by listening to and learning about music from various cultures and time periods; they will learn fun facts about the music, musicians, and composers. Music 7/8 will promote and develop the potential composer or arranger inside each of the students.
Beginning Band
In Beginning Band, students will choose an instrument and learn to play that instrument in a group atmosphere. Concentration will be given to intonation, blend, articulation, and the development of a group mentality. Students will also learn basics of music theory to aid in their ability to play the instruments. There will be two concerts over the course of the school year.
Intermediate Band
In Intermediate Band, students will continue to play the instrument they chose in Beginning Band. Greater concentration will be given to perfecting intonation, blend, articulation, technique, and the development of a group mentality. Continued music theory instruction will be given with the aim of developing well-rounded musicians capable of playing in a variety of settings. There will be two concerts over the course of the school year.
Advanced Band
In Advanced Band, students will continue to play the instrument they played in Beginning and Intermediate Band. Greater concentration will be given to perfecting intonation, blend, articulation, technique, and the development of a group mentality. Advanced Band students are also expected to take a leadership role for their sections in Intermediate Band rehearsals. Continued music theory instruction will be given with the aim of developing well-rounded musicians capable of playing in a variety of settings. There will be two concerts over the course of the school year, during which the Advanced Band will play some selections with the Intermediate Band and some selections alone.