Music
- The overall purpose of the Music Department is to involve all students in music-making and to offer the opportunity for each student to become musically literate.
- Music classes begin in Pre-kindergarten.
- Music classes in Grades 1–6 are based on the Orff-Schulwerk approach to music education.
- By the time students graduate, it is hoped that they will be musical people; that is, that they will have a sense of musical elements (rhythm, melody, harmony, form, and timbre) and that they will have discovered that each person has the ability to participate in and contribute to a musical experience.
Band/Instrumental Music
- Beginning in Grade 4, students may elect to study a band instrument. Group lessons are offered once a week during lunch/recess.
- Students may choose from clarinet, flute, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, or percussion (includes snare drum and mallet percussion).
- After one year of lessons students are invited to join the Beginning Band. This band, made up primarily of students in Grades 5–9, perform at various concerts throughout the school year.
- Students may have the opportunity to audition for the Massachusetts Junior Western District Music Festival.
Chorus
- Lower School Chorus consists of students in Grades 1–3. Chorus enhances the Orff-Schulwerk music program. In chorus students learn to cooperate and work as a group toward a common goal.
- In the Middle School, the main objectives are to develop good vocal technique, proper breath support, clear diction and confident stage presence. Choral pieces studied will vary in musical form, style, time period and cultural origin. Learning to work as an ensemble and following the conductor’s direction are key to the success of this group.
