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Curriculum: Music at the School for Children

Music in the Upper School

The music history component of the curriculum differs for each grade. Each year, students learn about an era of music, not only the music itself but about the composers and the leading performance artists. They learn how to describe the recordings they hear by using the vocabulary of musical elements. After researching particular musicians' lives, they present their findings to the class. Professional musicians visit the class, trips are taken to musical events, and videos of musical performances and musical documentaries are often integrated into their study of music history. Students often learn to play pieces they were introduced to in the classroom.

Music Theory

The theory component of the curriculum is designed to teach students about the essential elements of music: melody, rhythm, harmony, form, and expressive elements. Students learn about these concepts through written class work; homework; and class activities such as clapping, rhythms, ear training, and sight singing. Each grade continues its study of theory at a more advanced level so that by the time of graduation, students are familiar with topics such as chord progressions and all intervals. Musical theory study is integrated with playing instruments and singing, since knowledge of theory helps students to follow written notation and to understand music on a deeper level. Students also practice their theory skills using music software.

Musical Groups for Singing and Instrument Playing

For students who wish to participate, there are two choruses in the Upper School, one for 10/11s and 11/12s and one for 12/13s and 13/14s. There are no auditions. Both groups learn a diverse range of music, including classical, spiritual/gospel, folk, and contemporary pieces. Students work on vocal concepts such as proper diaphragmatic breathing, vowel placement, diction, posture, and harmonizing. The choruses perform in the Winterfest, Spring Concert, Middle and Upper School assemblies, and in visits to a nursing home and homeless shelter. There are opportunities for students who take instrumental lessons outside of school to play in the school orchestra and two levels of rock bands. Students from all grades can be in the "pit" orchestra for the annual 13/14s theatrical production.

10/11s

In the 10/11s, students focus on non-Western music from around the world, including major units on African and Latin music, as they learn about the African Diaspora in their core social studies curriculum. They listen to examples of traditional music from India, the Middle East, Japan, and China, as well their more contemporary popular music. They learn about instruments of non-Western cultures and the many ways that music is created differently around the world. During this year, students in half groups play the electronic keyboard. All levels are supported.

11/12s

In the 11/12s, students learn about the history of "rock 'n' roll" and popular music. They begin with the roots of rock 'n' roll and proceed through the various eras of popular American music, including early rock, doo-wop, and "r & b" in the 1950s and early 1960s; the British influence in the early 1960s; Motown; the music of the Woodstock era; Soul in the late 1960s and early 1970s; and the many styles from the 1970s to the present. The 11/12s also learn several chords on the guitar and over the course of the year are taught how to play standard chord progressions on both keyboard and guitar.

12/13s

In the fall, the 12/13s learn about the history of the Broadway musical by watching excerpts from shows and seeing a show on Broadway. Beginning with George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, and other famous figures in early Broadway musicals, they move on to 1940s Broadway, including Rogers & Hammerstein and Lerner & Lowe. The content from the 1950s and 1960s includes Loesser, Bernstein, Bock & Harnick, Strouse, Sondheim, and Kander & Ebb. Students learn about Schwartz and Andrew Lloyd Webber from the 1970s and conclude their study with recent Broadway shows. Students may choose to work on scenes and songs from musicals during their instrument time. As part of their integrated study of American history, they hear examples of music from Colonial, Revolutionary, and Civil War times, along with the music of various immigrant cultures. In the spring, the 12/13s study the history of jazz by examining major styles and eras such as blues, ragtime, New Orleans jazz, 1920s jazz, 1930s swing, be-bop, and post-bebop jazz.

13/14s

The 13/14s can choose music for their art class choice from MASH (Music, Art, and Shop), an eight-week rotating program every trimester. During this class, students study the major eras of European classical music: Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, and Romantic. Some students applying to LaGuardia High School choose an audition piece to work on as a vocalist or an instrumentalist. These students may perform for their classmates in order to receive suggestions and support. In the middle of the school year, the 13/14s work on their theatrical musical production during their MASH time. In the spring, all the 13/14s become a chorus, and prepare music for their graduation ceremony.