Music

Music Department Philosophy:

The mission of the music department is to provide students with a strong foundation in music history, theory and performance skills so that they may develop a life-long love of music, whether as performers or as educated listeners. The faculty prepares students to be musically literate, to be culturally aware, and to pursue high standards of performance. The curriculum supports the school mission through the development of the individual musical potential of each girl and through the formation of community through performing ensembles.

As a department, the faculty strives to create authentic, experiential learning environments in which girls are made to feel comfortable, confident, and supported. Girls are empowered to take on leadership roles within the performing ensembles, and are musician leaders for chapel services and other important school events. In all classes and ensembles grades K-12, students are actively engaged in creating, performing, and responding to music. The faculty encourages students to develop their own creativity and musical interests and to share their talents in ways that enrich the community.

Goals:

Students will learn to listen perceptively by demonstrating the ability to analyze, describe and evaluate music performances.
Students will learn basic skills: rhythmic, melodic and harmonic.
Students will grow in independence, confidence, and self-reliance by creating and performing music.
Students will develop a growing knowledge of the historical and cultural aspects of music.
Students will relate music to other disciplines.
Students will explore music as a source of enjoyment for life and as a means by which the quality of life can be enhanced.

Scope and Sequence:

Grade 5

General Music: Fifth grade music is a nine-week class structured around the creation of songs through an exploration of five essential musical elements: beat, rhythm, lyrics, pitch and timbre. This course utilizes a Kodály-based approach to expand on the skills that students have developed in the lower school, while also providing an accessible introduction to musical literacy for those that are new to St. Catherine’s. Students will encounter a variety of musical genres and engage in a series of activities centered around listening, composition and performance, all leading to an understanding of how these five elements combine to create song.

Grade 5 Band: Advanced Band is a class available to Fifth Grade students, building on the skills learned during both the students’ participation in Beginning Band and also their musical education from Kindergarten through Fourth Grade. Kodály-based methodology continues to provide the foundation for the students’ approach to all music that they study, maintaining an emphasis on the importance of developing an ever-stronger aural concept as their guide for technical development.

Grade 5 String Ensemble: Fifth Grade String Ensemble is the entry point into the Middle School Strings program. Students have either participated in the Lower School Strings program or are entering as a new student with equivalent experience. Fifth grade students continue the development of their individual musicianship, and are able to refine their ensemble skills in more detail. Students build on three years of Lower School experience (or its equivalent) and now play music with a wider range of key signatures and containing the first phases of shifting. They will continue to refine their orchestral skills in this small group setting in preparation for the Middle School String Ensemble.

Middle School Bells: The Handbell Choir is comprised of a small number of auditioned students in the Middle School. Participating students draw on previous performing ensemble and classroom experiences to learn the specialized techniques of handbell ringing. As a small ensemble, a strong sense of community is fostered. Members learn to read rhythms, write in counting, hear the melody and adjust dynamics accordingly, follow a conductor, listen to the ensemble as a whole and are acquainted with a variety of ringing techniques. Because the choir performs several times throughout the year, a variety of repertoire is learned to reflect the needs of the performance.

Middle School Choir: The Middle School Choir is a Performing Arts class offered to 5th through 8th grade students. While auditions are used for placement, Middle School Choir is open to all interested students. This ensemble refines and advances the musical, vocal, and ensemble skills gained in Lower School Choir and general music classes, mainly through the study of a wide array of increasingly advanced repertoire. The pieces studied in the choir represent a variety of cultures and musical styles. Students sing from octavos and from the hymnal, and two-part and descant singing are regularly expected. Individual responsibility is emphasized as the choir takes on a leadership role in various school events and services throughout the year.

Middle School Guitar Ensembles: The Middle School Guitar Ensembles are comprised of students in grades 5-8. These groups meet in conjunction with a small group lesson geared toward the ability level of the student. Beginners and advanced players alike are supported in these ensembles. In the interest of preparing all students to continue guitar study as a lifelong pursuit, repertoire is chosen to meet the needs of both groups. Peer observation and encouragement plays a large role, as the group continues to develop as an ensemble. Regular home practice continues to be encouraged for individual and group development.

Grade 6

General Music: The 6^th grade course is a 9-week exploration of instruments and music from around the world. Building on the foundations of beat, rhythm, lyrics, pitch and timbre as discussed in 5^th grade, this class is designed to show the students how these musical elements are used in the music of many different cultures. Students engage in producing a world exposition as part of their sixth grade geography course, and this cross-curricula connection reinforces the concept of maintaining cultural identities within a framework of the international language of music.

Middle School Band: Middle School Band is comprised of students in grades six through eight and introduces the students to a broad selection of repertoire. This varied musical diet is intended to help students discover musical interests that will help build a life-long relationship with music. An emphasis will be placed on communicating style and phrasing to the audience at all times and older students will be given responsibilities to help the 6^th graders develop, in turn helping to cement their own aural and technical concepts.

Middle School String Ensemble: Middle School String Ensemble is a string orchestra comprised of sixth through eighth-grade students. Participants in this ensemble have five years of previous string experience at St. Catherine's, or the equivalent experience in another string program. Prior to enrollment, students have played repertoire extending from unison melodies to four-part orchestral writing. They have practiced following a conductor in increasingly demanding repertoire, and public performance is a regular part of their string experience. They are now able to study music with a greater variety of key signatures and more difficult shifting demands. Individuals at this level prepare for regional and youth orchestra auditions. Continued experience on the Middle School level prepares students to study the standard orchestral literature in Upper School.

Middle School Bells: (see Grade 5)

Middle School Chorus: (see Grade 5)

Middle School Guitar Ensemble: (see grade 5)

Grade 7

General Music: Seventh grade general music follows the path of the history curriculum, taking the students on a journey from the discovery of early musical instruments in Mesoamerica over to West Africa and the importance of oral tradition, rhythm and call and response. The subsequent unit of study focuses on Middle Eastern musical traditions, examining music and Islam and discussing expression in prayer and the implications of a religious culture that often dissuades followers from engaging in listening to or performing music at home. Next, students study the role of music in the Italian renaissance and how it reflects the scientific, artistic and philosophical developments of the time. The conclusion of this course is an examination of the ways in which music both reflects and influences American society today while finding the parallels between each culture we explored and our own daily experiences.

Middle School Band: (see grade 6)

Middle School Bells: (see grade 5)

Middle School Choir: (see grade 5)

Middle School Guitar Ensemble: (see grade 5)

Middle School String Ensemble: (see grade 6)

Grade 8

Grade Notes: 8^th Notes is a select Performing Arts class open to 8th grade students. This auditioned ensemble selected from members of the Middle School Choir refines and advances the musical, vocal, and ensemble skills gained in Middle School Choir and helps prepare students for the raised expectations of Upper School Chorale, Saint Singers, or Censations. While this ensemble sings traditional two and three part choral music, students are also exposed to contemporary music and a cappella singing. Individual responsibility is emphasized as the choir is expected to be musical leaders in a variety of capacities including leading hymns for morning Chapel Services.

Middle School Band: (see grade 6)

Middle School Bells (see grade 5)

Middle School Chorus: (see grade 5)

Middle School Guitar Ensemble: (see grade 5)

Middle School String Ensemble: (see grade 6)

Private Instrumental instruction: (available K-12) Private instruction is available in piano, stringed instruments, trumpet, flute, harp, voice (in upper grades) and other instruments based on demand. Regardless of the level of study, the department expects sustained, regular, steady and controlled growth from each student and stresses improvement and progress in technical proficiency, repertoire, and performance, which include regularly scheduled recitals and services.