Music Education
Philosophy
Music is an art, a discipline and a subject area with its own field of knowledge. It is unique and complete within itself, yet it supports and enriches other learning. As people engage in music performances, they draw upon the sum total of all experiences they have ever undergone.
Goals
A complete music program:
- Includes experiences in consuming and performing music.
- Allows students to value and appreciate the contributions of other students and other cultures.
- Includes collaboration with the other disciplines of the curriculum towards the development of the total child through a comprehensive educational experience.
Program Descriptions
General Music
General music is offered to all students except those enrolled in band, orchestra, or chorus. Certified music specialists teach all music classes. Select schools offer elective courses are offered at the eighth grade level such as: piano, guitar, and electronic music. These classes are curricular subjects for which students receive grades.
Choral Music
Middle school students may elect chorus in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. These classes are taught by music specialists daily. The individual schools set membership criteria. These are curricular courses for which grades are given.
Middle school choral students are offered numerous performance opportunities throughout the year, including assemblies, PTA meetings, GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluation, and others. They may perform as members of select vocal ensembles, honor choirs, or in school musicals. To meet the Standard, “performs with others”: students are expected to attend rehearsals and performances and are counted as graded experiences.
Instrumental Music
Band and orchestra are offered in all middle schools. Instruction is given on instruments commonly found in these ensembles. Students are placed in classes according to their grade and/or achievement levels, as determined by the teacher.
Beginning instruction is offered for sixth and seventh grade students in all middle schools. Sixth and seventh grade students are taught band or string classes during Connections time. Eighth grade students may take band or strings as an elective.
Middle school students may study only one music subject or instrument per grading period. They may change music subjects, instruments, or leave the program only at term changes (as allowed by the school).
Students are given opportunities to perform in school bands and orchestra, jazz ensembles, and a variety of chamber groups. These groups often rehearse after regular school hours. To meet the Standard, “performs with others”:, students are expected to attend rehearsals and performances and are counted as graded experiences.
Performance opportunities in middle schools include PTA meetings, school assemblies, field trips, and GMEA district large-group and solo ensemble festivals.
Band and orchestra are curricular subjects for which students receive grades.