We are doing something BRAND NEW this next school year, with regards to programs/open houses. The Kindergarten and 1st grade will be combined, as well as the 2nd and 3rd grades
being combined; this allows for greater leadership from our elder students, as well as incorporating other musical characteristics
not yet studied until some of the later elementary years.
Prekindergarten, kindergarten,
as well as first grade, will concentrate mainly on discovering ways to use the voice,
as well as steady beat and differences in high and low.
Second
and third grade will further explore steady beat and melody, as well as using Orff instruments and studying different
genres of music.
Fourth and fifth grade will continue studies
in vocal technique, including breath control and expression; they will also begin applying and using musical terminology.
Sixth grade has a fall concert (this is a formal
venue), where they will present music from a variety of genres and musical styles. They also host a rock 'n' roll
revue in the spring (a concert we now share with the 6th grade band), and have the opportunity to participate in an honor
choir at NIACC, sponsored by the Iowa Choral Director's Association.
There's still more!! Fifth and sixth grade students have the opportunity to audition for OPUS, an honor choir which
performs around the time of the All-State Music Festival . We have always been represented well here!!
We also
belong to a keyboard consortium. Students will spend five weeks studying concepts best taught at a keyboard setting. THEY LOVE IT!!!
