Music
The goal of the music program at the School of Saint Mary is to provide a variety of musical experiences so that the students develop a positive sense of self esteem and a positive attitude towards music. These experiences include singing, moving, playing instruments (Orff, non-pitched percussion, guitar and recorder), listening and composing music using a wide range of styles of music (jazz, classical, folk, patriotic and religious). Students are provided exposure to a wide variety of musical styles and instruments so that they can develop lifelong music appreciation skills.
Curriculum
- Kindergarten and grade 1
- Develop rhythmic competence by feeling the pulse, patting the beat and playing a steady beat on percussion instruments
- Imitate gross motor movements and perform them with music
- Express creative movement to music
- Develop listening skills by differentiating between ascending/descending, fast/slow, long/short, loud/soft and high/medium/low pitches
- Develop solo and group singing skills by accurately matching pitch
- Grades 2, 3 and 4
- Continue development of skills from grades k and one.
- Identify and name the lines and spaces of the treble clef
- Identify instruments by sight and sound
- Identify the names and counts of notes and rests
- Identify step, skip and leap of melodic line
- Apply melodic and rhythmic knowledge to music performance
- Grades 5 and 6
- Continue development of skills of grades 2, 3 and 4
- Apply rhythmic and note reading skills to the recorder
- Analyze various pieces of music for the musical elements of rhythm, melody, expression, tone color, form and harmony
- Use the elements of music in original compositions
- Identify expression markings and music symbols
- Study the accomplishments of individual composers
- Grades 7 and 8
- Continue development of skills of grades 5 and 6
- Notate melodic and rhythmic dictation
- Apply melodic, harmonic and rhythmic knowledge to the guitar
- Compare and contrast the function of music in various cultures
- Apply acoustics principles in the design of original instruments
- Apply music knowledge to performance on guitars
- Special Events and Activities
- Performance of The Three Piggy Opera by the 8th grade
