Music - Early Childhood and PreK - 8
Music is an important part of classical education, as well as an integral part of the Lutheran expression of our Faith. Martin Luther wrote:
"I have always loved music. He who knows this art is in the right frame, and fitted for every good pursuit. We cannot do without music in our schools."
Given the importance of Music in classical education, our school has developed a varied and extensive Music Curriculum. This curriculum continues to be modified and improved as our school grows. Singing our Faith continues to be at the core of the curriculum, along with general music instruction in liturgy, music theory, and history. Our school also offers extensive instruction in instrumental music. All students receive instrumental instruction some time during their tenure at our school. For those who wish to advance in their performance skills, opportunity for performance groups are being developed for the upcoming school year.
Early Childhood Music
At Memorial Lutheran Classical School, music is an important part of our curriculum on all levels. Beginning with Pre School (3-year-olds), regular music classes help our students learn basic skills, and also reinforce our Lutheran Faith.
Early Childhood Goals for Music:
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Songs that teach the Christian Faith
Music that provides opportunity for creative movement/body awareness
Songs that help develop a sense of Beat/Rhythm
Songs that encourage a sense of beautiful Musical Line
Songs that help develop the concept and skill of High/Low
Beautiful singing that uses the Head voice (whisper, shout, speak)
Songs that teach Loud/Soft
Instrumental experiences
Songs from American History/Texas History
Songs about everyday life experiences (Weather /environment /school days /behavior)
Alphabet
Spanish Songs / World Music
Colors
Imagination/vocabulary/picture images/story-telling
Solo singing
Listening |
PreK - 8th Grade Music
The following are the descriptions of Music classes offered at Memorial Lutheran Classical School:
Choir focuses on confident singing, training in rhythm, sol-fege, and discussion of music history and context. Hymns and the Lutheran Liturgy are presented in this class. Choral anthems also are learned as appropriate. Grades K-8 sing once each quarter in the worship service of Memorial Lutheran Church.
General Music teaches fundamentals of music. The class includes music reading skills, introduction to keyboard, extensive use of Orff instruments, movement, and music appreciation. 5th-8th Grades also cover Music History.
Recorders: 3rd Grade is introduced to recorders in General Music Class, and 4th Grade continues this instruction for development of more advanced skills.
Schola Cantorum: (Latin for "school of singing") Inclusion in this group is by invitation/audition. This small choir represents our school in performances in the Houston area. Schola Cantorum also serves as chapel choir for special services. Schola Cantorum rehearses once/week during the school day.
Choir Chimes: Inclusion in this group is by invitation/audition. This group of instrumentalists represents our school in performances in the Houston area. The chime choir also serves as an instrumental group for special chapel services. Choir Chimes rehearses once/week during the school day.
Beginning Orchestra: This is an optional group for 1st-4th Grade students who wish to receive early instruction on an instrument. 5th-8th Grade students may pick either Orchestra or Band as an instrumental elective. There is an additional fee for Orchestra. Students are responsible for renting/buying their own instrument.
Intermediate Orchestra: 2nd-8th Graders who have at least one year of instruction on a string instrument may take Intermediate Orchestra. 5th-8th Grade students may pick either Orchestra or Band as an instrumental elective.
