Music For Pre-K - Grade 5
From Pre-K to 5th Grade all children have two Music lessons per week. These lessons will consist of singing a wide selection of songs; playing several musical instruments; moving with increased physical co-ordination; listening to a broad repertoire of music through history; reading and writing basic musical notation; improvising and composing--all while also having a great deal of fun. The children learn songs and dances associated with the major festivals throughout the year and perform some of these at our winter concert or in the class concerts.
In Grades 1, 2 & 3 children play several percussion instruments and melodic instruments such as xylophones and boomwhackers, while being prepared for using basic music notation. From 4th grade, they learn to use music notation by playing recorders.
During Grade 5, the children are presented with the opportunity to play a band instrument, such as trumpet, saxophone, clarinet or flute. Once per week they play with their classmates in a Beginning Band, starting from the very first steps of playing an instrument and developing a degree of proficiency within the year. In this way students become responsible for the care of a relatively valuable musical instrument, and understand the need to practice and take charge of their own learning.