Vocal Music

Kindergarten - 2nd Grade
Students experience directed interaction with sound by singing, listening, using body movements, and playing rhythm instruments. Distinguishing between higher/lower, faster/slower, beat/rhythm and same/different in musical perfor­mances are woven throughout each lesson for all grade levels. Basic music notation and singing in a round begin in first grade and expand further with each grade level. Instrument families and voice groupings are studied by using video examples and recorded excerpts. Many cul­tural and historical periods are represented with folk and traditional music. Students also begin to practice appropri­ate audience behavior during live performances. Each grade performs its own age-appropriate musical.

3rd - 6th Grade

Students begin using standard music vocabulary to talk about music, including music common to specific historical periods, genres, cultures, and styles. Dynamics, tempo, standardized nota­tion, and musical form lessons continue, adding ostinato, partner songs or descant to broaden the students’ experience with harmony. Students practice listening and concentration by listening to live and recorded performances; they use these skills to acquire greater endurance as audience members. Song literature is selected from diverse cultures, and instruments related to the selections are illustrated with recordings and videos. In fourth grade, the students learn about and perform their first memorized vocal solo, The Star Spangled Banner. In fifth grade, critical analysis and response to works of music, performances, and per­formers is emphasized.