The music program introduces students to a variety of musical styles, periods, cultures and forms of musical expression while cultivating an awareness, curiosity, and appreciation for music. It is the objective of the program to foster within each student an interest in a wide range of musical expression and to instill the desire to continue exploring these interests into adulthood.
Students in Kindergarten through fifth grades meet for music twice a week. Students in grades sixth through eighth meet once a week.
The music curriculum is organized into two main categories: performance and music appreciation. Performance is both individual and group. Individual performance involves the children playing the keyboard, rhythm instruments, an instrument brought from home, or singing a song. Group performances consist of rhythm band, class singing, recorder and hand bell compositions. Music appreciation consists of an extensive audio and video library containing stories and music from ballets, operas and composers' lives. Music theory instruction is limited to that which can be incorporated directly into rhythm band, recorder, and handbell performance.
Third grade students receive ten lessons on the violin in the program, Twinkle in Ten. Fourth and fifth grade students study the soprano recorder. Handbells are introduced at the end of fifth grade. Sixth, seventh and eighth grade students will perform handbell compositions for special assemblies throughout the school year. Instrumental music lessons are offered starting in the fourth grade. Students meet once a week after school divided into sections of woodwinds, brass and percussion.
Annual fall and spring talent shows provide students throughout the school with the opportunity to share their talents with the student body. The majority of performances consist of instrumental or vocal pieces or movement set to music.
Fifth through eighth grade students are encouraged to participate in the annual spring musical. Four performances, scheduled over two weekends, give students the chance to demonstrate vocal, dance, and acting skills and to perform before the community at large.