Performing Arts: General Music

Kindergarten music classes discover many sights-and-sounds of different musical instruments and styles of music. Students explore how music makes them feel and learn rhythm through movement. St. David's band members and faculty sometimes visit this class to share their instruments with the kindergartners.

In grades one through three, students learn about reading rhythms, music terminology, reading music, basic form, and matching pitch. A variety of techniques and teaching methods are used to allow the student to experience and participate in the joys of music. Special efforts are made to try to incorporate music songs that relate to different topics being studied in the core classroom.

The fourth grade classes focus on learning the recorder all year. They learn to read music, to play the recorder, and play as an ensemble. The recorder requires students to take responsibility in practicing an instrument at home and bring it back to school for class on a weekly basis. This year provides them with the basic skills they need to move on to beginning band or choir in fifth grade.

All lower school classes meet once a week for a forty-five minute music class period. The children participate in concerts during the school year.