"The Spirit speaks directly to our hearts through music.
That's why music has always had such power to move people into positive action."
                                   -- Kenny Loggins
 

            The students will have the opportunity to sing a variety of songs.  Learning about the history of African-American music will include singing spirituals, blues, jazz, gospel and rap styles. Several tunes from Jamaica, selected literature from Scotland, Russia, and Germany will be experienced.   Several songs will be learned  in the Spanish and French languages.  Several months will be spent learning the recorder ( a small wind instrument) and students will  achieve higher levels of skill on percussion instruments, handchimes, autoharp and xylophones.  As needed, time will be given to reviewing  music reading skills, the understanding of the music elements, and the identification and classification of instruments.  Several pieces of music written for piano, pipe organ and harpsichord will be chosen for listening and analysis throughout the year.  A field trip will be planned for students to have a “hands-on” experience with a pipe organ in Madison.  Students will assist in composing music for the Spring musical performed in cooperation with the Language Arts/Social Studies/Drama classes.