Grades three, four, and five music classes use an eclectic curriculum. The overall philosophy is “participation by all students through singing, playing, moving, listening, creating and writing”. Students make music their own through songs that help them learn about music and relate what they have learned to their everyday life. Well-known folk songs and songs to commemorate significant events are utilized as well. The Orff method is used at all grade levels. This method teaches music through movement, improvisation, singing, and ensemble playing (Xylophones, Glocks, and Metallaphones).
Grade 3 Grade three does a great deal of singing. Round singing and partner songs develop student’s ears for music and prepare them for harmony and part-singing in years to come.
Grade 4 Grade four development of part-singing begins with rhythmic chants, ostinatos, partner songs, and descants.
Grade 5 Grade five concentrates on 2-3-part harmony. The results of this are seen and heard in chorus performances that occur during the year.