The music program at SCS sounds like learning! Twice each year the entire student body comes together to present themed concerts. The themes range anywhere from our bodies being the temple of God and our responsibility to maintain a healthy lifestyle - physically, emotionally, and spiritually - "The Temple of God" to Veteran's Day salutes to American history - "Campfires, Catfish, and Country Folk". Teaching in the music classroom is from an interdisciplinary approach incorporating math in rhythmic instruction, science in the study of sound production, language in the poetry of song writing, and history in the music's subject matter.
The foundation is the Biblical awareness that God created us to worship Him, and He created music giving us a means in which to give Him the glory. The resulting emphasis on character development is "checking our pride at the door". Teaching the students to accurately view their skills as gifts from God's goodness is a primary lesson preceding each performance.
The PreK and Kindergarten students learn pre-reading skills using charts in ensemble playing. They are trained in tracking left to right and top to bottom, recognizing measures, and securing a steady beat. Turn taking, play and wait, and proper playing techniques are taught with the use of a wide variety of instruments including autoharp, tambourines, wood blocks, and more.
The 1st and 2nd graders continue in music with note names and values preparing them for the introduction of the flutophone in the 3rd and 4th grades. Fifth and 6th graders have the opportunity to use what they've learned in either the handbell choir or the show choir once a week and learn how to play the recorder, as well.
Seventh and 8th graders choose to be in either handbells or body percussion once a week. (Body percussion is choreographed rhythmic routines using patching, clapping, snapping, and stomping as well as sound sources such as brooms, buckets, bamboo poles, goat hooves, etc.) The second music class each week involves more music study often in composers, sound and lighting, and stage presentation.
Middle school students are offered the option of joining the music teacher during their recess in order to more freely explore the instruments including the drumset, djembe, steel drum, and snare drums. Occasionally, praise songs are rehearsed and performed by these students in the Wednesday afternoon chapel services.
Please join us for our next musical showcase on April 28th at 1:00 and April 29th at 7:00. "The Sound of Learning" is a full production including singing, dancing, and narrations.
