Highlands Ranch K-8
Music
Music Program
Music is one of God’s greatest gifts. At DCS-Highlands Ranch, we seek to offer a wide variety of musical opportunities to ensure that students have the means to become lifelong enjoyers of music—both as performers and as appreciators. Students participate in singing, dancing, and playing a varied assortment of instruments, and many opportunities are presented to perform, compose, and create.
General Music Classes
Kindergarten Music -In
Kindergarten, we have a great time, all the while learning to keep a
steady beat and the beginnings of rhythmic notation. We learn many
songs and play lots of classroom instruments. |
| 1st Grade Music -First graders continue to learn more notation, clapping/playing/singing more complex rhythms, and playing classrooom instruments. |
| 2nd Grade Music -In second grade, we begin some individual instrument instruction with the harmonica. This provides valuable experience in translating written music to performed music. |
| 3rd Grade Music -Third graders begin the recorder. Through "Recorder Karate," they are able to chart their progress in reading/playing music on a real instrument. Third graders are also given the opportunity to audition for solos in the K-5 Christmas musical. |
| 4th Grade Music -Recorders are continued, with more difficult music. Fourth graders also may audition for solos in the Christmas musical, and in the spring they begin to play handbells. |
| 5th Grade Music -Fifth graders continue with handbells and also spend ssome intensive time on African drumming, which is a wonderful way to develop ensemble playing skills: listening, coorinating, and improvising. Fifth graders have the speaking parts in the Christmas musical, and they help to lead the songs in Thursday morning chapels. |
| 6th Grade Music -All 6th graders perform in the 6th grade choir. They work on a repertoire to be performed in two concerts per year and also on sight-singing as well as choral singing. After the spring concert, 6th grade does a unit on puppetry, performing short skits for a younger grade. |
| 7th-8th Grade Music -Seventh and eight graders may choose between band, choir, or music appreciation, which is an active class that alternates years between Western classical music and international music. All seventh and eighth graders perform in concerts during the year. |
Band Classes
| 5th Grade Band -Class description and more information coming soon. |
| 6th Grade Band -Class description and more information coming soon. |
| 7th-8th Grade Combined Band -Class description and more information coming soon. |
Performance & Extracurricular Opportunities
- 3rd-5th Grade Choir: This extracurricular activity is designed to give the younger kids some choral experience before middle school. Fun music and vocal technique are emphasized. Currently meeting BEFORE school on Fridays, 7:00am-7:40am.
- Advanced Handbells (new for 2008!): This is for 5th graders and above who want to try more difficult handbell music. Meets after school on Fridays 3:30pm-4:15pm.
- Spring Musicals/Dramas: In alternating years, Highlands Ranch presents a 3rd-8th Broadway musical or a split middle school drama and 3rd-5th mini-musical. Recent years, "Honk,Jr," "Once Upon a Dream," and "Romeo & Juliet" have been performed. Rehearsals are during the school day at first and after school as performance dates near.
- Band Concerts: Concerts by the 5th Grade Band, 6th Grade Band, and 7th-8th Grade Bands are performed 3 times per year.
- Choir Concerts: Choir concerts are performed twice per year.
- K-5 Christmas Musical: A Christmas musical is performed in December each year.
- Keyboards for Kids: This is an after-school program offering keyboards, guitar, and drumming classes. See www.KeyboardsforKids.com for more information and to register for classes.