What we offer

Children enjoy music every day. It is part of our regular routine and helps make learning fun. They build a collection of favorite songs and rhymes, and we repeat them often so children feel confident and excited to join in.

Children can use a variety of instruments. During free play, they choose what to try and explore the different sounds—loud and soft, fast and slow, high and low. In small group time, they make music together. They practice sharing instruments, taking turns, and listening closely to hear and name different sounds.

Music supports learning in many ways. It strengthens memory, attention, and coordination. It also links to other subjects:

• Math: rhythm, counting beats, patterns, and timing
• Language: new words, rhymes, sound awareness, and clear speech

Overall, music nurtures creativity, builds confidence, and encourages cooperation—helping children grow in all areas of development.

Year 1–2: General Music

• What      we do: Students sing, move, play music games, and try simple classroom      instruments (like rhythm sticks, drums, and xylophones).
• What      they learn: Beat, rhythm, melody, dynamics (loud/soft), and tempo      (fast/slow).
• Reading      and creating: They begin to read basic music symbols, keep a steady beat,      and make up short rhythms or melodies.
• Skills      for life: Listening, taking turns, working with others, and expressing      feelings through music.

Year 3: Recorder

• Focus:      Students learn to play the recorder.
• Playing      skills: Proper posture, hand position, fingerings, breath control, and      clear tone.
• Music      reading: Notes on the staff, simple rhythms, rests, and basic symbols.
• Ensemble      skills: Starting and stopping together, following the conductor, and      playing with a steady beat.
• Care:      How to clean and store the instrument.

Year 4–6: Band or Strings

• Choices:      Students select either Band (woodwinds, brass, percussion) or Strings (violin,      bass, acoustic).
• Getting      started: Help with choosing an instrument and learning how to care for it.      
• Technique:      Correct posture, hand position, embouchure or bow hold, tuning, tone      quality, and expanding range.
• Music      reading: More notes, longer pieces, new rhythms, key signatures, and      dynamics.
• Ensemble      playing: Rehearsal routines, listening to others, blending sound, and      keeping a steady tempo.
• Practice:      Short, regular practice at home is encouraged to build skill and      confidence.

• In Grade  6 all students study music for a minimum of one semester (band,      choir or strings) or they can elect to study music for the whole year in      the Middle School Band or String Ensemble.
• In Grades 7 and 8 students can choose year long electives in Band or String      Ensemble or a semester course in Choir.
• There      are a number of performances throughout the year including the Winter and  Spring Arts Festivals as well as special projects like "Bands Together".
• Students  who enrol in a music performance course (band, choir or strings)