PERFORMING ARTS: VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC 

OVERVIEW 

Number of faculty: Two 

Underlying every objective and activity in the St. James Academy Music curriculum is the Academy's mission statement.  

VOCAL MUSIC: 

Grades One through Four learn the basic songs essential to an understanding of Western Music and are also exposed to a variety of music from diverse cultures. In the process of internalizing these songs each student learns to hear and maintain a steady beat; match pitch; recognize melodic directions; recognize melodic accompaniment and harmonic rhythm patterns; and recognize and use dynamic and tempo markings. 

Grade Five through Middle School students build upon previously learned music concepts to develop music appreciation and literacy through singing two and three part songs; listening and responding to music from a variety of ancient and modern cultures; and moving to music and creating dances. Student's original compositions are often included in Drama programs, songs for Grandparents Day, Christmas, Celebrate Arts Night, and Graduation.

CHAPEL CHOIR: 

Fourth and Fifth Grade students are invited to join the St. James Academy Chapel Choir which meets before school on Tuesday mornings. This choir sings at the Wednesday Academy Chapel Service twice a month.

SOLO PERFORMANCES: 

Students in all grades are encouraged to share their individual talents singing the National Anthem at school events or an appropriate anthem at Wednesday Chapel.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC: 

Like Vocal Music our overall goal for Instrumental Music is to instill a love of music, especially ensemble participation, in every student, as well as, to teach each student to read music to the best of his/her ability. 

Grade Three, Four, and Five students develop their sight reading abilities through learning to use the recorder in Third Grade; exploring trumpet, violin, and guitar in the Fourth Grade; and continuing with their choice of instrument for one trimester in the Fifth Grade elective class. Grade Five students are also eligible to join the before-school enrichment band.

Grade Six and Seven students play in an ensemble for one half of each year. Sixth grade students participate in a hand bell choir reading one note at a time. Seventh Grade students progress to a percussion ensemble, including xylophones, reading multiple notes. The Handbell Ensemble performs at the Christmas Pageant and the Percussion Ensemble performs at graduation. All Eighth Grade students continue their instrumental training as part of their regular music class, and can also elect to employ their instrumental talents in the one trimester drama course.

ENRICHMENT BAND: 

Students may volunteer to play in the Enrichment Band which meets in the instrumental music room on Fridays before school. Advanced instrumentalists are individually invited to join the Chamber Orchestra which meets before school on Thursdays.            

"The soul of music is rhythms explored, improvised, danced, and developed. It is melody and harmony and timbre combined in intricate designs and in intensely personal expression." (Gloria J. Keister, "Teaching Music for 'Feelingful' Intelligence," The Minneapolis Star and Tribune, November 10, 1986, p. 11A. 

GOALS: KINDERGARTEN - GRADE EIGHT 

Students will: 

• Learn to love choral and instrumental ensemble music;
• Perform vocal and instrumental music whenever possible;
• Learn the building blocks of rhythm, melody, and harmony;
• Become musically literate;
• Learn to sing and play with thoughtful control;
• Learn the history of music;
• Learn basic music theory;
• Explore music from various cultures.