Curriculum: Music at the School for Children

The 6/7s have an abundance of singing and movement experiences. As they learn more songs, they increase their mastery of the aural abilities as mentioned in the examples above. They begin to apply these musical concepts to their instrumental work and "pre-reading" practices, including accompanying a song on the Orff instruments and creating original work. By the end of the 6/7s, students are reading and writing basic quarter note and eighth note patterns, and beginning to read from the printed staff.

The 7/8s continue to learn a rich and diverse repertoire of song material that provides the aural foundation for continuing growth. Singing is further developed and emphasized as the 7/8s become a part of the Middle School Chorus. Their musical abilities and skills are applied to learning to play the soprano recorder. The recorder becomes another tool for exploring the various musical elements, becoming more fluent readers and writers of music, reinforcing ensemble skills, and acquiring extra-musical skills, such as the discipline of practicing and learning a new instrument, as well as maintaining one.

The 8/9s apply their aural/oral and writing expertise to small and large group compositions and improvisations. They are now senior members of the Middle School chorus and the singing skills they have acquired are refined to a higher degree. They are the leaders of part singing, which has a larger focus in this year. Recorder continues to be a part of the program in the music classroom, and interested children can join the Recorder Club that meets before school.

Music in the 9/10s focuses on reinforcing and creating new strategies for reading music and working as an ensemble, whether singing or playing. Students learn to use notation; write more complex rhythms as they hear them; read and learn new music; and write original compositions, using a combination of traditional and invented notation. Students continue to explore previously presented topics on a deeper level and start to become more analytical music listeners.

Middle School Chorus is required for all students in the 7/8s through the 9/10s. The Chorus provides another ensemble experience for the 7/8s and 8/9s, who perform together, and the 9/10s, who form a second chorus. While reflecting or reinforcing the general music class curriculum, the chorus repertoire presents other challenges as well. Students learn about vocal technique and musical expression in preparation for the Winterfest and Spring Concerts. Stylistic and linguistic diversity broadens the students' knowledge of music. They perform music from around the world, often in their original languages. Students have the opportunity to perform as instrumentalists as they accompany the chorus on the Orff instruments.

Children in the 8/9s have the opportunity to participate in an eight-week introduction to the violin or cello. Students learn the basics of how to care for their instrument, how to hold it and the bow correctly, and also some simple songs. Most importantly, they get a taste of the discipline needed to study an instrument. With this experience behind them, students can choose to study either violin or cello for a full year in the 9/10s. The String Program reinforces much of the ear training and ensemble skills taught in the music classroom. In addition, it provides another means of musical expression and performance opportunities in later years. In the Upper School, students can continue violin or cello for a second year with a focus on ensemble work. In addition, all experienced players (winds and strings) have the opportunity to play in the school orchestra.