performing arts
curriculum by division
LOWER SCHOOL
Our Lower School music program nurtures a love of music through joyful, hands-on exploration. In an active and engaging classroom setting, students develop foundational musical skills while building coordination and confidence. They sing, move, and play a variety of instruments—including xylophones, tubanos, recorders, and classroom percussion—using both fine and gross motor skills to create and respond to music.
As students grow, they strengthen their singing voices, learn to sing in two parts, and begin reading basic music notation. These skills lay the groundwork for participation in our choral and band ensembles, which begin in the second half of fourth grade.
Lower School students share their learning and enthusiasm for music through two annual performances: the Winter Concert in January and the Grandparents Day Concert in May. In addition, third and fourth grade students collaborate during music and drama classes to present a 30-minute musical each spring, celebrating creativity, teamwork, and the joy of performance.
middle school
Our Middle School music program invites students to explore the rich diversity of music from around the world and across time. Through active, hands-on learning, students study Western classical traditions, global music cultures, and the evolution of American popular music from the 1950s through the 1980s.
Musical concepts such as theory and notation are reinforced through creative projects using our class sets of ukuleles and tubanos, encouraging both collaboration and individual expression. Students also investigate the science of sound, explore world music traditions, and analyze beloved musical theatre works—deepening their understanding of how music connects people, cultures, and ideas.
Upper school
In Upper School General Music, students explore the evolution of music from the Renaissance to the present day, discovering how historical and cultural contexts have shaped the sounds we hear today. The course also introduces students to film music and electronic music composition, expanding their understanding of music’s role in storytelling and technology.
Students review the fundamentals of reading music notation and apply their skills through creative composition projects using instruments such as tubanos, xylophones, and ukuleles. This class offers students meaningful opportunities to express themselves through music-making while deepening their appreciation of music as an integral part of daily life.
