Elementary Music Program

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Elementary Music Program
Who we are, what we do how you can get involved.
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What we offer
Orchestra
General music classes
Choir
Band
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Music in our schools...

• Adams
• Carpenter
• Chestnut Hill
• Chippewassee
• Cook
• Eastlawn
• Longview
• Mills
• Parkdale
• Plymouth
• Siebert
• Woodcrest

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First and Second Grades

• Singing
• learning to sing on pitch within a limited
  comfortable range
• learning to hear a short melody and sing it back
• Movement and Rhythm
• able to demonstrate a feel for the beat through
  fundamental movements
• able to follow directions in performing simple
  singing games and dances
• able to imitate rhythmic sounds and chant rhythms
  
• developing skill in playing simple rhythm and
  melody instruments
• Music Reading
• able to recognize symbols for simple notation
• beginning to take simple one or two measure
  rhythmic dictation
• Playing Classroom Instruments
• introduced to and developing skills in playing
  melodic and rhythmic instruments
• Listening
• able to identify pitch relationships as higher,
  lower, or the same

5
Third and Fourth Grades

• Singing
• improving in ability to sing accurately within an
  expanded range
• developing the ability to sing rounds and
  ostinati within a group
• Movement and Rhythm
• displays a recognition of even and uneven rhythms
  
• aware that music moves in 2s or 3s.
• Playing Classroom Instruments
• improving skill in playing melodic and rhythmic
  instruments
• discovering the expressive possibilities of
  various instrument combinations
• Music Reading
• has knowledge of the letter names of the treble
  clef staff
• learns the significance of the top number in time
  signatures
• recognizes repeat sign, bar line, measure, double
  bar, dynamic markings and fermata
• Listening and Form

6
Fifth Grade

• Singing
• demonstrating improvement in tone production and
  diction
• introduced to singing in rounds, descants, and
  partner songs
• distinguishes between duple and triple meter
• Playing Classroom Instruments
• exhibiting increased skill in playing ostinati
  and descants
• playing simple melodic patterns on melodic
  instruments from notation
• Music Reading
• understands most frequently encountered time
  signatures and note values
• recognizes existence of triplets, dotted notes,
  and syncopation
• Listening
• able to recognize differences in tonalities
• listening with increased perception to a wide
  variety of music
• identifying contemporary instrumentation (rock,
  jazz, electronic, etc)
• learning to be musically tolerant and is learning
  to formulate positive attitudes

7
Choir

• How is music class different from choir?
• Music class offers a broad music education in all
  areas, such as concepts in rhythm, pitch, music
  history, form, genre and basic notation.
• Choir is a performance group which focuses on
  vocal technique and application of musical
  knowledge and skills acquired through music
  class. These skills are demonstrated through
  selected repertoire in concert.

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More about choir...

• Choir meets once each week, in addition to music
  class.
• Choir meets during the regular school day.
• Fifth grade students may play an instrument in
  the band or orchestra and also sing in the choir.

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Instrumentally Speaking...

• Fifth grade students have the opportunity to join
  their instrumental music program.
• Our goal is to provide students with a
  challenging, fun, and enriching musical
  experience that will provide a solid foundation
  for participation in the middle and high school
  instrumental program.
• Instruments and instruction are provided by the
  school.

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Band

• Anyone can learn to play an instrument with a
  little time and practice. Along with learning to
  play your instrument you will also learn to read,
  count, and interpret music.
• The instruments taught in the band program are
  Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone and
  Percussion.
• Choose the right instrument for you. You might
  want to consider which instruments sound you
  like the best, and which one you would most like
  to see yourself playing. You will also have an
  opportunity to try a couple of instruments before
  making your final choice.
• If you have a strong interest, practice
  regularly, ask for help when you need it, and
  attend band class regularly, you will be very
  successful! Parent support and encouragement
  also play an important role.

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Orchestra

• The instruments taught in the orchestra program
  are Violin, Viola, Cello and Bass.
• Classes meet three times each week, usually with
  two classes before or after school and one class
  during the school day.
• Students play from a book one method and play
  motivational pieces as well.
• Students will perform in several concerts during
  the year.
• Our goal is to provide your child with a
  challenging and satisfying skill that will last a
  lifetime.

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• When a child learns by experience that music
  forges direct links between self and world,
  self-expression becomes more fluent the music
  helps interpret
• "who I am."

Growing up Complete, the report of the National
Commission on Music Education, 1990
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So, "Hear's the Pitch...."

• Contact your elementary school music teachers.
• Visit music class, choir, band and orchestra
  rehearsals.
• Find out more about the Midland Public Schools
  Music Program.
• Make music a part of your childs life.