Music

    General Music - K-5


     

    The music program at Fallsmead is designed, according to the county, state, and national music education standards, to provide every student from kindergarten to fifth grade opportunities to experience and learn about music through:

    • Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
    • Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
    • Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments.
    • Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines.
    • Reading and notating music.
    • Listening to, analyzing, and describing music.
    • Evaluating music and music performances.
    • Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts.
    • Understanding music in relation to history and culture.

    The music program at Fallsmead also uses a music learning approach called Orff Schulwerk. *The Schulwerk is a way to teach and learn music. It is based on things children like to do: sing, chant rhymes, clap, dance, and keep a beat on anything near at hand. Orff Schulwerk happens in a non-competitive atmosphere where one of the rewards is the pleasure of making good music with others. Orff Schulwerk uses poems, rhymes, games, songs, and dances as examples and basic materials. The special Orff melody instruments include wooden xylophones, metal glockenspiels, and recorders in addition to many other non-pitched percussion instruments such as drums, wood blocks, maracas, and rhythm sticks, for examples. With Orff Schulwerk, improvisation and composition start students on a lifetime of knowledge and pleasure through personal and participatory musical experiences. (as stated on the *Orff Schulwerk website)

    Choral Music - Grade 5

    Chorus provides a wonderful opportunity for 5th grade students to learn more about the basics of singing, including posture, breath control, diction, phrasing, dynamics, and part-singing through more challenging choral repertoire and singing experiences than in the general music classroom. The ultimate goal of chorus is to help children develop skills and attitudes that will encourage them to use their singing voices as life-long musical instruments.

    Music Links:

    How can I help foster a love for music at home?

    1) Make music a special time for the whole family!
    2) Sing or play instruments often – this encourages your children to become life-long music makers! 
    3) Take your child to a live concert – a musical, a jazz concert, a symphony orchestra
    4) Ask your child what they are learning in music class!

    Assessment & Grading


    Score 

    Grade ~
    Grades 1-5 

    Grade ~ Kindergarten  

    Description 

    4

    “O”~ Outstanding

    “P”~ Proficient

    Student demonstrates complete understanding

    3

    “S”~ Satisfactory

    “I”~ In Progress

    Student demonstrates general understanding

    2,1

    “N”~ Needs Improvement

    “N”~ Needs Improvement

    Student demonstrates developing or minimal understanding

     Instrumental Music

    All 4th and 5th grade students in Montgomery County Public Schools are eligible to participate in the instrumental music program.  Students may choose from several band or orchestra instruments and then receive a weekly 30 minute lesson in small homogenous groups.  Participation in this program prepares students to join the bands, orchestras, jazz bands, pep bands, and other music groups at their middle schools.

    There are no pre-requisites for being in instrumental music!  It is, of course, an advantage if your child already reads music or plays an instrument such as the piano.  However, the program is designed to accommodate both complete beginners and students with some prior music experience.

    Questions, problems or concerns? Please contact Mr. Vaughn 

    Instrumental Music Links

    Fallsmead Theme

    Verse 1:
    We build foundations for tomorrow
    Our teachers help us to succeed
    As we learn, we will grow
    Each day we’re going to show
    The world we’re something special at Fallsmead.
     

    Refrain:
    Fallsmead, we’re a piece of the world
    A taste of the future today
    Fallsmead coming together
    Nothing will stand in our way!

    Verse 2:
    We like to help our friends and neighbors
    When they are in a time of need
    Reaching in, reaching out
    That’s what we’re all about
    Standing up united at Fallsmead!

    Refrain: (3x)Fallsmead, we’re a piece of the world
    A taste of the future today
    Fallsmead coming together
    Nothing will stand in our way!

    Nothing will stand in our way!

    An original score by Rob Cohen, August 2007
    Do not reproduce or distribute; copyright protected.