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Music and Movement Education at CLC

Preschool - 5th Grade

Cornerstone’s early childhood and elementary Music & Movement program values music learning as a unique process, but also connects to and supports all other academic areas. Music classes are recognized as an important means of expression, communication, and community building.

Cornerstone’s music curriculum is derived primarily from two methods: Orff Schulwerk and the Kodaly method. Both the Orff and Kodaly methods are philosophies concerned with the development of the whole child: emotional, social, physical, spiritual, intellectual, and creative. Both emphasize the use of only the highest quality musical material, including folk songs, composed works, art music, and multicultural music.

Orff Schulwerk is a long-standing method based on things children like to do: sing, chant, move, and play instruments. Experiencing music in these ways enables children to come to know what music is; to feel comfortable as musical beings; and ultimately, to manipulate musical elements intentionally to create and express their own ideas and emotions.

For a short video demonstrating Orff Schulwerk go to http://teachingwithorff.com/what-is-orff-schulwerk/

The Kodaly method, focuses on music literacy. Musically literate children and adults are able to look at a musical score and ‘hear” the sounds in their head. The process of music literacy begins when students first learn to recognize relationships between pitches and rhythms aurally. Then, in the early grades, the process becomes visual through pictures and icons representing songs, poems, and rhymes and gradually transforms to musical notation. The uniqueness and value of the Kodaly approach lies in its ability to empower children to read, write, and create music independently.

For more detailed information about the Kodaly method go to http://www.oake.org/about-us/the-kodaly-concept/.

Music objectives center around four basic components of music study: melody, harmony, formal structure and style, and tone color.

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Middle School Performing Arts

The role of the Arts in MYP IB is to “stimulate the imagination, challenge perceptions, and develop creative and analytical skills” within the context of both Visual and Performing Arts. Involvement in arts courses leads to student understanding of the arts in cultural and historical contexts, which in turn supports the development of an “inquiring and empathetic world view” (IBO Arts Subject Brief).

Middle School Music Ensemble provide an opportunity for students to further develop many of the skills initially learned in grades pre-k through 5. The four basic components of music study throughout the year are melody, harmony, formal structure and style, and tone color.

Instrumental Music is for students whose primary musical interest involves playing an instrument. Students may continue with an instrument they already study or explore new choices, such as: guitar, bass guitar, ukulele, piano/keyboard, drum set, or percussion. Students will develop individual techniques and ensemble skills while learning the basics of music theory, reading music, improvisation, composition, and arranging.

Singing Circle is a chamber (meaning small group) choir for maturing vocalists and beginning singers which provides opportunities to sing age-appropriate repertoire with others while developing individual vocal abilities. Students will sing unison and part-songs, both a capella and accompanied, from a variety of genres and styles. Singers will have opportunities for solo singing (if desired), as well as composition, arranging, choreography, and/or accompanying.