Academics

Music

The music program at Bethany School strives to prepare its students to be musically aware, knowledgeable, literate, and involved - preparing them to be lifelong participants, learners and supporters of music. In class students are encouraged and enabled to express themselves musically and respond to music made by others. The goals of the Bethany Music Program include providing a strong foundation in music literacy, theory, history, performance and appreciation appropriate to each grade level, grades K-8. Students achieve these musical goals through singing, rhythm activities, creative movement, playing instruments, and listening activities. The students at Bethany School perform 2 concerts per year. The first concert is the very meaningful Christmas Lessons and Carols, held in December, in which the entire school is able to participate in this worship through song. The second concert of Bethany School is the annual Spring concert where the entire school will share with family, friends and visitors the music they have prepared in their music classes for this event. There are also opportunities for students to take part in musical extracurricular activities including instrumental lessons, choir, orchestra and hand bells.

Kindergarten: In Kindergarten the foundation of music learning is being laid. Kindergarten students learn the musical concepts of a steady beat, fast/slow, short/long sounds, high/low tones and melodies, loud/soft dynamic levels, singing in tune alone and with others, singing and chanting while being accompanied, moving to music, and call and response exercises. The Kindergarten students also learn how to perform and be part of an audience.

First Grade: In the first grade students begin the development of music literacy using solfa notation. First grade students sing a variety of songs individually and in groups, play pitched and non-pitched instruments, move to music, relate rhythm patterns to notation, study traditional notation in double meter learning the quarter note/rest and eighth notes, use classroom instruments and body percussion, create melodies, study changes in musical form in addition to being made aware of changes in dynamics. Students will also perform for an audience as well as participate as an audience member.

Second Grade: In the second grade students develop more fully the concepts of music literacy using solfa notation. Second grade students are exposed to more complex musical rhythms including meter in four, tied notes, rests and syncopated rhythms. Student are exposed to music form as well as singing alone and in groups. Students are able to identify selected orchestral and folk instruments. Students will also perform for an audience as well as participate as an audience member.

Third Grade: In the third grade students practice their music literacy skills through the playing of recorders. Third grade students are exposed to more complex rhythms including sixteenth notes. Third grade students are also exposed to the concepts of scales as the building blocks for melody. Students will be exposed to the concepts of two-part music in canonical form being accompanied by classroom instruments. Students will also perform for an audience as well as participate as an audience member.

Fourth Grade: In the fourth grade students continue their music reading skills through the playing of recorders and other classroom instruments. Students will write their own music using traditional notation on the music staff. The students will also study composers from the four main musical periods. Melodic contour is studied as well as the function of the complete meter signature. Students are exposed to more complex rhythms. Students will also perform for an audience as well as participate as an audience member.

Fifth Grade: In the fifth grade students will demonstrate beginning choral behaviors and skills in group singing. Students will also continue to develop their music literacy skills through the playing of recorders and other classroom instruments. Students will also be exposed to more complex rhythms, meter signatures, and musical form. Students will further begin to identify key signatures by sight. Students will also perform for an audience as well as participate as an audience member.

Sixth Grade: In the sixth grade students will develop their choral skills in two and three part music. Students will continue to build their music literacy skills through the playing of recorders and other classroom instruments. Students will develop their understanding of Western music in relation to history and other arts, studying more in depth composers from the four major musical time periods. Students will also perform for an audience as well as participate as an audience member.

Seventh Grade: In the seventh grade students will more fully develop their choral singing skills in two and three part music. Students will be exposed to more complex rhythms in their music reading skills through the playing of recorders and other classroom instruments. Students will further develop their understanding of Western music in their study of American music. Students will also perform for an audience as well as participate as an audience member.

Eighth Grade: In the eighth grade, students will practice their choral skills through the singing of two and three part music. Students will continue to practice their music reading skills, utilizing their knowledge of rhythm, staff notation, and musical symbols through the playing of recorders and other classroom instruments. Students will be exposed to different styles of music and be able to analyze and describe these styles of music with the correct terminology. Students will also perform for an audience as well as participate as an audience member.