Course Descriptions for Music Classes
o Music I
In this course, the student will learn about music through singing and movement. This course will focus on traditional children's songs to teach basic music concepts. At this level, the student needs to become comfortable with his voice and develop a clear singing tone. Through movement, the student will develop fine and gross motor skills that will enable him to keep a steady beat. He will also learn to play rhythm instruments.
o Music II
Through singing and movement activities, the student will investigate basic music concepts such as fast and slow, loud and soft, and high and low. Through traditional children’s songs and classical music examples the student will read and perform basic rhythmic and melodic patterns. The student will discover how instruments in the orchestra produce sound.
o Music III
In this course, the student will discover music concepts through a combination of traditional children’s songs and symphonic music. The student will extend his music reading skills. In unit four, the student will explore how instruments produce sound and learn about some of the most common instrumental ensembles.
o Music IV
In this course, the student, through folk songs and movement activities, will learn about and define six elements in music. He will then identify these elements in a variety of musical examples. The student will identify instruments in the orchestra and discover how different instruments produce sound. Next, he will be introduced to some of the most famous composers of the past and the musical forms with which they worked. Finally, the student will identify rhythmic and melodic patterns and read music notation.