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Overview
The music program is based on the philosophy and practices of Orff
Schulwerk, a dynamic approach to music education developed by the
German composer Carl Orff. This approach is characterized by active
involvement in music-making through the body, voice, movement, and
work on specially designed Orff instruments. It recognizes the many
doors through which a child can enter the musical world and provides
opportunities for aural, visual and kinesthetic learners to feel
successful in music via a multi-dimensional approach.  The nurturing
of the whole musician who can hear, feel, understand and physically
express music contributes to the child's ability to synthesize the
intellect, senses, emotions, and physical body in ways that have
important implications in their total educational experience. The
social dimensions of group music-making are also a central quality
of the music program.
The Music Classes
Each elementary class has music two 45 minute class meetings each week,
in groups ranging from 10 to 18 children.  These classes develop both
skill and understanding in the basic elements of music via experiences
in body percussion, speech, singing, movement, folk dance, games, drama,
and the playing of pitched and unpitched percussion instruments.
Within any one class, the activities might be mixed, i.e., beginning
with a circle dance, playing a game, working with a poem, adding
instruments, creating movement and gesture that act out the text, etc.
Each of the media is a strand within itself with its own sequence of
development. Rather than spend two months on singing alone, two months
on folk dance, etc., the strands develop side-by-side, with the teachers
keeping track of each to form the overall design of the year.
Singing time
In addition to the small group classes, the entire elementary school
gathers for a 20 minute singing time. This time is devoted exclusively
to singing, with emphasis on developing a varied repertoire of songs
from the American folk and popular tradition, as well as songs from
cultures around the world. This is also the time for guest performers,
ranging from the children themselves sharing a song or dance to
professional artists presenting a program.
Elementary Chorus
Third, Fourth and Fifth grade students sing in the Elementary Chorus
every Monday and Tuesday for 20 minutes. This class is a formal chorus
rehearsal, with the hope of further extend singing and aural skills,
with special singing in part-singing and reading scores. Students are
placed in First Soprano, Second Soprano and Alto sections. The
material reflects the program by offering a varied repertoire
of singing traditions.
After School Music Opportunities
Elementary School students can study beginning violin, clarinet, flute,
saxophone and trumpet in small group lessons through the Extended
Day Program. Students with at least one year's experience on their
instruments can join the After School Band, led by Nzingah Smith.
Curriculum Integration
Music is inherently a subject that both requires and helps develop
academic skills. Though teaching music as an independent subject
with its own special skills and knowledge is a priority, conscious
integration with other curriculum areas is practiced widely. Some
examples include: extensive work with rhymes, poetry and song as a
springboard for musical improvisation and experience (language arts);
exploring the mathematical structures of music (math);  using songs to
teach history, geography and culture study (social studies);
understanding acoustics (science); developing grace, coordination and
dexterity through movement and instrumental play (P.E.); learning
Spanish songs (Spanish); and experimenting with graphic notation
(art). The height of such integration is often realized in the
school's traditional celebrations.
Celebrations
The music program is directly linked to the all-school celebrations
through music, dance and/or drama. Festive gatherings that include
decoration, costume, food, games, plays, songs, dances
and music occur throughout the school calendar. A Spring concert
and a professionally recorded CD set of the children's music-making
from that year are two ways we share the students' accomplishments.
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