MUSIC
Welcome to School Year 2023-2024!
Music education is important in the totality of child’s learning process because it involves a lot of skills that are also needed in achieving success in other subjects. Music is not only about movement, singing, or playing musical instruments. Aside from these activities, music also helps a lot in the development of students psychologically, socially, morally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Music classes include basic theories where they learn the important elements of music, starting with Rhythm, Melody, Harmony, Dynamics, Form, and Tone Color. Music history is also discussed where they learn different genre of music, composers and masterpieces, and the appreciation of this performing art. There is also music listening, reading, and writing. I cover classical music, Broadway, religious, patriotic, and modern music as well. We will also study some international music like Spanish, German, Italian, French, and Latin music. Middle school will learn to conduct the National Anthem. I also include sign language in my class, signing words of some songs.
Music is taught once a week, 45 minutes for Kindergarten through 2nd grades (K-2), and one hour for Grades 3 through 8. There is Mass every Friday, Feast days on the Catholic calendar, and special occasions too. All classes perform during our Christmas concert and Spring concert. Last year, we were fortunate to have three guitar players who accompany music during our weekly Eucharistic celebration. I wish there will be more talents we can use this year. Classroom activities involve group and/or individual performances, singing, playing xylophones, glockenspiels, classroom rhythm instruments, handbells, and drums.
Music is a performing art where students are encouraged to participate. RESPECT is one value that I instill in all my classes where everyone is appreciated and encouraged to show their God-given talents. Grades are mostly based on attendance, participation, and discipline. We also have a school choir, open to students from Grades 4 through 8. Members are required to attend rehearsal twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 7:50-8:15am.
