Music

Music is a cumulative process, always expanding upon students' experiences. The music program at SYVCS helps students develop:

• The ability to participate in the creative processes of music;
• A sensitivity for the beauty of musical sound, leading to a greater interest in and a better understanding of the art;
• An acquaintance with and an understanding of musical symbols; terminology, and notation of music - familiarity with the musical language;
• An acquaintance with a wide repertoire of vocal and instrumental music of many periods and styles, including music by master composers.

Character Traits and American Songs

Our music teacher, Becky Stewart, has written a book of character trait songs to correspond with the school year. Each month every class in grades 1-4 will sing the songs that focuses on a trait such as Cooperation, Honesty, Kindness, Patience, etc. Importance is also given to all students in the learning of the familiar American songs such as America, The Star Spangled Banner, America the Beautiful and Proud to be an American.  Each of the nine months of the school year, every class will learn a little of the history that goes with a song and will memorize and perform it. ​

Music Is Fun!

When a tune is added to our movement, the brain fires in many directions producing joy, anticipation and engagement.  So Kindergartners absolutely love doing the Hokey Pokey, The Farmer in the Dell and Here We Go Loop de Loo.

First graders color the many instruments of the orchestra while listening to the inspiring story of Tuby the Tuba.  Peepo the Piccolo encourages Tubby when he loses hope.

The second grade music curriculum includes composing and improvising rhythmic patterns to familiar marches such as Pomp and Circumstance.  For this, they use a lot of classroom instruments such as triangles, maracas and tambourines.

Third graders will take that rhythmic instruction to the level of reading notes and rests. A long pattern of notes of differing values is put on the board by a student and the others are usually eager to read and play it.  Then we add music such as the William Tell Overture for a rousing class!

Fourth Graders listen to Moussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition while drawing their own pictures of what the music is describing. The old cart is rumbling over the cobblestones and the old castle gates are squeaking as the viewer walks by each painting at the exhibition.

Performances

Students perform vocally and instrumentally in both formal and informal settings during the school year. Both the California State Teaching standards in music and the national standards include performance at every grade level.  Learning how to perform in front of an audience, stage directions and acceptable etiquette at concerts and events is an essential part of the music program.