"Without music, life is a journey through a desert."

                                   -- Pat Conroy

            The study of music during this year takes the form of a journey around the world.  Songs are selected from four geographical regions:  Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America.  Approximately one quarter of the school year is devoted to each area.  Songs will be sung in many different languages.  While listening compositions were largely selected from the literature written for large ensembles in the Primary and Upper Primary classes, selections this year will be chosen from the literature written for small ensembles.  Zimbabwean style xylophone, Indonesian gamelan, Caribbean steel drum and Celtic styles will be among those experienced.   Students will make progress in identifying the sound of instruments used in countries all around the world. Students will learn to put instruments into groups or families using the world classification method.  Music reading skills and developing an understanding of the elements of music will be  emphasized throughout the year. Students also will be introduced to handchime playing, continue developing skill on percussion instruments and autoharp, and have in-depth experiences playing xylophones. Students will assist in composing music for the Spring musical performed in cooperation with the Language Arts/Social Studies/Drama classes.