Music


What a wonderful opportunity we have for our students to learn to play a musical instrument, for free and within the school day.

4th graders - All 4th grade students receive a weekly, 30 minute Introduction to Music lesson. Concepts of rhythm, pitch, instrument families, the origination of sounds and much more are taught in a fun and interactive way, and prepare them for learning to play an instrument in 5th grade.

5th graders - Once in 5th grade, students are offered the chance to play a musical instrument! Options include:
Strings - Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass
Band - Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone, Snare Drum

All of these beginning instruments, with exception of the Snare Drum, are available for loan from the District, for those students who would not otherwise be able to participate in instrumental lessons.

Lessons happen once a week, for 30 minutes, and are organized by instrument. For example, a new flute player is in a class of flute students. Students must leave their regular classroom activities for their weekly lesson, and are responsible to make up any work they miss.

6th graders - Sixth graders may start an instrument as described above for the 5th graders, whether Strings or Band.

Sixth graders who are continuing on an instrument will be put into a “Continuers” class, made up of all the students who are continuing, regardless of which instrument they play. This provides an opportunity for growth as part of an ensemble, and allows for more complex musical learning.

Continuing Band students with a year of clarinet study may switch to alto saxophone, if desired, and will be considered Continuers.

Note that all instrumental students are expected to attend two to four evening concerts each year. These are wonderful opportunities for students to shine, and for families to see their growth across the year!

Birch Lane Music Teacher: Luana Hernandez, [email protected]