Music Curriculum

The music program at Our Savior Lutheran School encourages every student to develop an appreciation for the gift of music. Students weekly explore concepts in the making of music. All K-6 students participate in the school choir. Junior high students participate in the Chime Choir, and they have the option to participate in Band. Our Savior’s music program also provides students with the opportunity to learn to play piano and guitar through a variety of individuals.

Class Room Instruction

Each class meets weekly for thirty-minutes. All the lessons correlate with the National Standards for music education.

Kindergarten

Kindergarten music is a fun time to be a student of learning. Through music, poetry, stories, movement, and rhythm instruments, students begin to explore the elements of music; rhythm, melody, and timbre. The children learn to use their large motor skills to play Orff instruments and dance simple dances. They sing and laugh often while learning to create music.

First Grade

First grade music develops the elements of music introduced to the children in kindergarten; rhythm, melody, and timbre. Music class also introduces the element of tone color and form. Through the use of songs, poetry, stories, movement, and Orff instruments, the children further develop their skills in making music. They enjoy dancing and singing and having fun together.

Second Grade

Second grade children continue to develop their use of musical elements; rhythm, melody, timbre, tone color, and form. They are introduced to notation and the use of solfa syllables to develop their awareness of vocal intonations. The continued use of songs, poetry, stories, movement, and Orff instruments further the children’s ability to make and enjoy music.

Third Grade

Students are introduced to playing the recorder in third grade. Students learn to produce a clear tone, read notes in the treble clef, decode musical notation, the key signatures of 2/2, 4/4, and 3/4 time. They also learn to play together in small ensembles such as duets and trios. Students are encouraged to play solo. Students are also introduced to rondo form.

Fourth Grade

Students continue to develop the ideas presented in third grade. They finish learning all the fingerings for playing the recorder successfully. They are introduced to some basic key signatures and the use of accidentals. Ensemble work continues to be used with the students to develop their concept of playing in a group.

Fifth / Sixth Grade

Students in the fifth and sixth grade return to the use of a music textbook for a more sequential approach to music. Students explore the elements of music; rhythm, form, melody, timbre, texture, and harmony. The activities presented allow students to gradually increase their musical skills while making and performing music.

Seventh/Eighth Grade

Students in seventh and eighth grade explore music history. On a rotating basis, students learn about famous composers beginning with the Baroque period. They then travel with the composers through the classical, romantic, impressionistic, and contemporary periods. They explore composers of both Europe and America. They will study the oratorio, sonata, character pieces, and the concerto. Students will also study the symphony orchestra; its five sections and the specific instruments of each section.

The following year students begin studying strictly American Music History. They begin with American Folk music, follow the movement of gospel, jazz, blues, rag time, swing, the big band era, rock-n-roll, 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s music, including disco, rap, hip-hop, and contemporary Christian music.

Students do a great deal of listening during these two years of music history. The goal is to learn to hear the differences in style and come to appreciate the vast variety of musical genre that God has blessed us with as His people.

Band

Students in grades five through eight have the option of being involved in a band program. These students meet once a week for thirty-minutes with the band instructor from Mayer Lutheran High School. The band students also have the option to participate in Monday Night Band which is an ensemble where students prepare music for concerts with other students in the Region II Schools. Band students perform the music prepared at Monday Night Band at Christmas time and in a Spring Concert held in May. Musical concepts covered throughout the year include clear tone production, rhythmic accuracy, notation, musical expression, and tonal balance.

Chime Choir (7-8)

Students in grades seven and eight participate in a chime choir ensemble. The students meet on a weekly basis and focus on musical terms and notation, while learning to play the chimes as a unit. Students prepare secular and sacred music. The chime choir performs at various times including Chapel, worship services, school programs, and other events as opportunities present themselves.

K-6 Choir

This choir meets once a week for thirty-minutes and performs every-other month in a variety of worship services. The children learn proper vocal technique, posture and breathing exercises, vowel formation, and diction. They develop many of the musical concepts taught during classroom instruction such as rhythm, time signatures, dynamics, melody movement, and syncopation. Musical styles are presented to the children that include jazz, swing, gospel, hymn singing, and contemporary Christian music. The annual Christmas program is the highlight of the choir’s offerings. They also perform in Chapel, the Ascension Eve Choral Service, Graduation, and other events as opportunities present themselves.