Middle School
Students in fifth through eighth grade meet for 55 minutes of music instruction three times in each 8-day rotation. In class, Middle School music students listen to and discuss many genres of music. Music Theory is reinforced by singing notated music, drills, games, worksheets and a Music Olympics Unit. Students create and arrange music within specified guidelines using a variety of rhythm instruments, including bucket drums and handbells. Classroom Performance Days provide opportunities for students to share songs, dances, skits with their classmates. In December, students can participate in the Feast Wishes variety show. Students who study musical instruments outside of school have many opportunities to share their talents during the school year at liturgies, Prize Day and graduation.
To fulfill their Fine Arts elective, eighth grade students may enroll in a semester of Music Composition or Musical Theater. In the eighth grade Composition class, students compose using classroom instruments, GarageBand software, web composing sites, and Makey Makey Invention Kits. Students in the eighth grade Musical Theater class create many theatrical styles of work, including an original musical to share with their Little Brothers at the end of the semester.