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:

• Develop proper physical technique and tone for their instrument of choice
• Learn musical terminology and become fluent in reading notation
• Read, notate, and analyze written music
• Perform a variety of band literature (Lesson book, standard repertoire, pops, multi-cultural)
• Practice and prepare for community performances, such as the Veteran’s day, Holiday & Fine Arts Night Concerts
• Practice and prepare for Arrowhead Area Consortium Band concerts and Solo & Ensemble
• Compose their own music
• Have a lot of fun making music with their peers!

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

• Veteran’s Day Celebration (November)
• Holiday Concert (December)
• Solo & Ensemble (March)
• Fine Arts Night (March)
• 7 & 8 Musical Theater Night (May)

 
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.

• Concert Attendance
• Being Prepared (“Call time”)
• Concert Attire

 
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:

• Physics of sound
• Music theory
• Composition (with development of aural skills)
• “Language of Technology” (including creative process and critical analysis)

 
This class is tailored to students’ interests and projects will reflect process and product.
 
Projects may include:

• Using Audacity, students will work with sound clips to create “backgrounds’ for different pictures.
• Create your own ringtone.
• Collaboration project: Students will work with art students to create a unified product.
• Create your own world…of music! Thinking inside the mindset of a music composer for a video game company, students have to create multiple tracks of music that fit a video game, using Reason 7 and Axiom 25 MIDI Controllers.
• Premier Nights: A chance to showcase student work with family.

 
Grading Policies:
1. Projects: 60%
2. Critiques: 10%
3. Assignments/Tasks: 10%
4. Listening: 10%
5. Assessments: 10%