Music Perspective

Music is a required subject for all levels, nursery through grade 8.  At each grade level students are taught skills in singing, instrumental playing, creative movement to music, composition, and listening to further the individual's own potential to use music throughout his or her life as a source of personal enrichment or, if chosen, a vocation. Special care is taken to highlight the importance of open-mindedness and respect for music from all cultures. Music lessons incorporate subject-links (topics from other subjects), which are connected with music throughout the year.

 

Early Childhood through Primary grades have music twice weekly for thirty-minute periods. Choral activities begin in the First Grade Choir, once weekly during school. Middle School music classes are held once a week for one hour.

 

The music curriculum includes the use of the Orff method at all levels, field trips to the Instrument Museum, opera, symphonic and choral concerts, school performances by all music classes from kindergarten through grade 8. The school string program employs a modified Suzuki method. Performances by visiting groups or soloists are included throughout the year.

 

It is strongly felt by the music department that long-term behaviors music students should learn are those of being good listener and demonstrating appropriate behavior in a performance environment.

 

Musical events include the Winter Recitals, choral performances at the Fall Bar-B-Q and May Fair, the Parent-Teacher Talent Show, the RISA Music Festival, the annual concert by students in the extensive After School and Private Lesson Program, Middle School Talent, Choral and  Ensemble trips, and assembly performances.