Because music is a part of people's daily lives around the world, it allows them to connect with each other and with themselves to discover deeper meanings of human emotions and interactions. Music class is a place where all students can express themselves and discover their own emotions. Music education also provides necessary life skills such as self-discipline, self-expression, creativity, responsibility, patience, and teamwork. Building musicianship and performance skills can instill a love of music that will last a lifetime.
In addition to learning basic note reading, performance and audience etiquette, and the historical and cultural significance of music traditions around the world, students learn how to work together in a team, how to appreciate the value of each other’s contributions, and how to be sensitive to, and encouraging of, the growth that takes place in making mistakes. Students are allowed to experiment and are free to express themselves in both movement and music making.
Utilizing the Orff-Schulwerk method of music education, musicianship is taught through singing and the playing of Orff instruments including xylophones, metallophones, and recorders. Portions of classes are geared toward preparing for performances, but the majority of the time is spent on exploration of concepts and historical context. While performance is a key component of music education, a lasting appreciation of music comes from a deeper understanding than performance alone can provide.
Through music education, students are engaged in activities that require them to be creative, disciplined, and flexible and to work cooperatively with others. We want to help them explore the emotions that various songs or types of music bring them and help them learn to articulate what they feel and why. In addition, students are educated about other cultures so that they learn to see the world through another’s eyes and can appreciate other ways of thinking and living.