Curriculum: Music at the School for Children

Music is a multifaceted program designed to allow children to experience music by singing; playing instruments; and moving to, listening to, and creating music. Children acquire a workable knowledge of musical concepts and theory, together with a level of skill that enables them to generate music with their classmates. Teachers encourage all children, regardless of ability, to acquire listening, interpretive, rhythmic, and melodic skills. Students listen to and perform music from a wide variety of world cultures, utilizing a range of musical instruments, historical styles, performing artists, methodologies, and pedagogical approaches. As they learn about music, students translate their personal associations about music into a deeper understanding of its importance to families, to communities, to cultures, and throughout history. Children are encouraged to experience music aesthetically, emotionally, and kinesthetically. They make music, and hear it played by their peers and other musicians who perform in their classes.