A new century of discovery
Welcome to the Music Department at North Lake School. We are very proud of the fine arts program and offerings at our school, where there is truly something for everyone. North Lake proudly offers K-4 General music, 5-8 choir, 5-8 band, and music technology for 7th & 8th grade students.
As of the 2018-19 school year, we are thrilled to announce our partnership with the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. The Wisconsin Conservatory of Music is the largest non-profit community music school in the state. Founded in 1899, the Conservatory provides musical experiences to students from age four months through senior citizen, to all levels of abilities, working to develop creative, artistic, and whole individuals. The Conservatory annually reaches over 17,000 individuals across southeast Wisconsin through individual lessons, classes, camps, and community music programs such as ours. The Wisconsin Conservatory of Music is uniquely positioned to meet North Lake School’s music education needs.
Our Conservatory Connections program inspires, energizes, and generates lifelong learners through curriculum-based music instruction. This Innovative program is designed in collaboration with North Lake School’s fine arts department and administration thus carefully matching our specifics needs.
Read on below to learn more about our music classes.
1. Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
2. Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
3. Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments.
4. Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines.
5. Reading and notating music.
6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music.
7. Evaluating music and music performances.
8. Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts.
9. Understanding music in relation to history and culture.
General music is offered to all K-4 students at North Lake School. In classes students will learn how to perform, create, and respond to music through a variety of classroom experiences. The curriculum is based on the National Standards of Music Education, and students will be taught with a variety of pedagogical methods, including Kodaly, Orff and Dalcroze. The ultimate goal of the K-4 general music curriculum to cultivate a lifelong enjoyment and appreciation of music.
The 5-8th grade band curriculum at North Lake School emphasizes tonal and rhythmic development, performance skills, musical literacy, critical thinking, and creativity. These curriculum goals are based on the National Standards for Music Education, and are primarily achieved through small group lessons, full ensemble rehearsals, performance opportunities, and projects.
North Lake School is a member of the Arrowhead Area Consortium Bands (AACB), which is a cooperative ensemble formed with Richmond, Lake Country, Swallow and Stone Bank schools.
Students in band should expect to:
Curriculum
Choir students explore basic music theory, music history, music of different cultures/genres, and learn proper singing technique. All students are expected to attend concerts and events, with the exception of emergencies. The choir curriculum requires a team effort and good behavior is part of this requirement. Students work together, laugh, and sing. It is a musical adventure each and every year. Middle school choir classes further develop their singing technique and participate in a musical theater performance in the spring.
Mandatory Events
Concert Etiquette
Choir at North Lake is a class that includes day and evening performances. There are high expectations for students in terms of concert attire and behavior. The goal is for students to have a positive experience and for the events to be successful. The following expectations about professionalism and performance are part of the learning targets in choir.
Help Needed
Throughout the course of the year, chaperones and parent volunteers are needed. Please contact the music department if you have interest in volunteering or have ideas/talents (costumes, set building, etc.) that could benefit our students.
Music Technology is an opportunity for students to express themselves in a non-performance setting. The class is held in our state-of-the-art STEAM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Art, and Math) Lab in Room 245. It is a highly creative elective class. Students collaborate, critique, and revise their creations (“Music Share Fridays”).
The curriculum contains:
This class is tailored to students’ interests and projects will reflect process and product.
Projects may include:
Grading Policies:
1. Projects: 60%
2. Critiques: 10%
3. Assignments/Tasks: 10%
4. Listening: 10%
5. Assessments: 10%
