Musical Notes

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Instrumental News
Click Here for Mrs. Leonardo's Band Classes
The instrumental music program is open to all fourth and fifth grade students wishing to learn how to play an instrument. The students have lessons on a rotating schedule one day a week. This time is used to master the instrument, and prepare for the winter and spring concerts. The concepts that are taught in the instrumental music program reinforce skills such as critical thinking, listening, and fine motor skills. Students participating in the instrumental program progress as an individual and as a team, and the strong team component of the full band fosters new friendships and accountability.

Vocal News
Mrs. Webb
Mrs. Webb's Vocal Music Classes are off to a great start! We have so much to look forward to in the year ahead.
Each week, students in grades K through 3 participate in vocal/general music for one 30-minute class. Students in grades 4 through 5 participate in vocal/general music once a week for 30 minutes, plus a 45-minute chorus class, where they continue to develop listening skills, rhythm reading skills and where they learn to sing in a large group. In all settings, children are learning to become better and more creative musicians!
Here’s a look at the concepts and skills each grade will be learning throughout the year:
Kindergarten
Introduction to:
- Steady Beat
- Using Appropriate Singing Voice
- Loud/Soft Dynamics
- High/Low Pitch
- Fast/Slow Tempo
- Simple Rhythms
- Movement Through Music
- Classroom Rhythm Instruments
First Grade
Expanding on concepts such as:
- Steady Beat
- Using Appropriate Singing Voice
- Fast/Slow Tempo
- Simple Rhythms
- Movement Through Music
- Classroom Rhythm Instruments
Introduction to:
- Melody
- Steps and Skips in Pitch
- Quarter Notes and Paired Eighth Notes
- Xylophone
- Instruments of the Orchestra
Second Grade
Expanding on concepts such as:
- Steady Beat
- Using Appropriate Singing Voice
- Simple Rhythms
- Melody
- Instruments of the Orchestra
Introduction to:
- The Staff
- The Major Scale
- Partner Singing
- Partner Dancing
- Solfege
- Form
- Whole Notes and Half Notes
Third Grade
Expanding on concepts such as:
- Steady Beat
- Simple Rhythms
- Steps and Skips
- Melody
- Staff
Introduction to:
- The Flutophone
- Note Reading
- Recognizing Rhythm
- Pitch Production
- Signs and Symbols of the Music Staff
Fourth Grade
Expanding on concepts such as:
- Note Values
- Simple Rhythms
- Melody
- Note Reading
- Signs and Symbols of the Music Staff
- Form
- Instruments of the Orchestra
- Tempo
- Dynamics
Introduction to:
- Harmony
- Rhythmic Dictation (rhythm writing)
- Aural Skills (rhythm recognition by listening)
- Responding Critically to Advanced Works
- Triple and Duple Meter
- Articulation
- Composers
Fifth Grade
Expanding on concepts such as:
- Note Values
- Simple Rhythms
- Melody
- Note Reading
- Signs and Symbols of the Music Staff
- Instruments of the Orchestra
- Form
- Tempo
- Dynamics
- Harmony
- Aural Skills (rhythm recognition by listening)
- Responding Critically to Advanced Works
- Composers
Introduction to:
- Opera
- Jazz
- Blues
- Complex Rhythm
- Syncopation
- Composition