Music Class
The Music Program here at Saint Thomas is varied depending on the student's ability. Throughout the year, there are many programs offered for the student's musical development. The student's learn to read music, sing music, as well as write essays about different music styles and composers.
Instrumental Knowledge
- Identify the four families of instruments as well as individual instruments by photograph and sound
- Invent new instruments (by drawing or 3-D rendering) by combining two or more instruments. Demonstrate before the class how the new instrument would work
- Perform on instruments to add sound effects to a story narrated by the students on tape
Theory Skills
- Identify whole, half and quarter notes and rests by writing and clapping note and rest patterns
- Compose, as a class, the music and lyrics of a song
Performance Skills
- Perform class song in school-wide spring program. Performance includes song and dance
- Students may join school choir (grades 5-8) to provide musical leadership at weekly liturgies through singing, piano, handbell, xylophone, keyboard and various percussion performance
- Students may demonstrate performance skills (vocal and/or instrumental) during weekly classes
Band
In addition to our normal music classes, student in grades 5-8 are offered the opportunity to participate in Band. Students in the fifth grade receive band instruction as part of their normal music class. Students in grades sixth through eighth may continue their band instruction by participating in Band twice a week during their lunch recess.