Music
Elementary
Elementary![]()
Elementary
Kindergarten through 3rd grade students learn the basics of rhythm, notation, vocabulary, pitch, body movement/coordination, and general musicianship skills through a wide variety of activities, games and exercises based generally on the Orff-Schulwerk model of Elementary music education. Students are continually challenged and learn through an expansive repertoire of literature based in Western Tradition and from around the world. In addition to these activities, 4th grade students learn to play ukulele. They learn to read standard music notation, chord charts, and TAB all while singing and performing contemporary music as an ensemble. All elementary students perform a variety of songs in concert once every school year.
Choir
Choir![]()
Choir
Starting in 5th grade, students may join choir and sing in harmony with each other. Here they are challenged to develop their rhythm, vocabulary, pitch-matching, notation/music reading skills and use proper posture, diction, and breathing techniques. Their abilities to sing in-tune with confidence and independence develop as they perform repertoire based in Western Tradition and spanning all across the globe as well as through almost every musical genre. 5th grade choir (Junior Choir) performs in two part harmony. 6th-8th graders move into three and four part harmonic and polyphonic music by joining the Symphonic Choir. High School students are able to audition for the elite Carta Crescendos.
In addition to multiple concerts every school year, 6th-12th grade students also have the opportunity of performing as soloists and/or in small ensembles for adjudication every Spring at the local Solo/Ensemble festival. Carta Crescendos also have the privilege of performing as a whole for the same purpose as well in a variety of other venues and capacities as ambassadors for their school.
Band
Band![]()
Band
The instrumental band program begins in 5th grade with an introduction to playing wind instruments in Beginning Band. Middle School Band classes continue to develop note and rhythm reading, musicianship, proper technique and other skills required for school band. High School Band expands on individual and ensemble playing, higher level musicianship skills and technique, and involves more in-depth exploration of music and music theory through historical and cultural contexts.
Jazz Band is an auditioned performance group that focuses on exploring and learning the genre of jazz and blues music, with an emphasis on big band style ensemble playing, individual improvisation and stylistic interpretation.
In addition to concerts throughout the school year, band students also have the opportunity to perform at festivals and competitions at the district and state levels.
