Music
Music by Division
Lower School
Our Lower School music program strives to develop unique abilities and the potential of each child by offering a student-focused, developmentally appropriate and enriching music program. We prioritize music language, skill-building, applied knowledge and the students' voice to express a rich and varied program throughout grade levels. Lower School Music is a sequential and experiential program inspired by Kodaly, Orff, Dalcroze and Jump Right In. The LS Music pedagogy blends together some of the core fundamentals of those programs to cultivate musical curiosity and a love of making music.
Students learn through aural and physical activities, which lead to visual representations and musical notation, and they have the opportunity to sing a diverse repertoire of authentic multicultural folk music in solo and ensemble settings. In addition to embracing traditional elements of world music, our curriculum also explores composition and songwriting in contemporary musical styles that will allow students to continue to grow and appreciate music for years to come.
Throughout their time in the Lower School, students will develop musical skills through playing cooperative games, singing, listening, moving, improvising, and reading and writing music. Each year, students have opportunities to perform in concerts as well as in interdisciplinary presentations.
Middle School
The Middle School music program provides opportunities for students to develop vocal skills, aural discrimination and a deeper understanding of world music through singing, listening, improvising and composing. The music curriculum continues to build upon the melodic and rhythmic concepts covered in the Lower School music classes. The program is a sequential and experienced-based approach and is based on the music education philosophies of Kodály, Orff and Dalcroze.
A study of world music and music of the master composers (medieval through contemporary) in social, historical and cultural contexts provides students with a greater understanding of musical forms, historical periods and world cultures. Arts-integrated learning and creative exploration are important aspects of the Middle School music program. During arts-integrated projects, students engage in a creative process, which connects music to history and the humanities while creating deeper and meaningful connections within each discipline. Arts-integrated units of study include the Early Renaissance, Shakespeare, the Harlem Renaissance, Ancient Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt and Nubia and Ancient India and China.
Upper School
The Music program in the Upper School is designed to encourage creative decision-making, individualized and self-directed learning, courageous and meaningful self-expression and an approach to music that is not only skillful but also deeply intellectual.
Students begin their musical education in the Upper School with InterArts Music, a course that is shaped by the passions and curiosity of the particular students in the room. From Class 10-12, students can choose from a selection of rigorous elective, or FOCUS, courses tailored to different levels of experience. Outside of class, students can participate in a number of ensembles that perform at our winter and spring concerts and other school events, and present opportunities for student leadership in the upper grades. These ensembles include Choral Club, Instrumental Chamber Ensemble, The Kilts rock band and two a cappella groups, Symphons (for Classes 8 and 9) and Alleppaca (for Classes 10-12).
FOCUS Courses
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Intro to Piano
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Music Theory
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Performance Studio
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Songwriting Workshop
