SMS MUSIC

“I would teach children music, physics, and philosophy; but most importantly music, for the patterns in music and all the arts are the keys to learning.” - Plato

The Scarsdale Middle School Music Program offers multiple pathways of study, including performing ensembles (band, chorus, and string orchestra) and Exploring Music (classroom music). Regardless of class choice, students attend music class every other day for the entire year. The curriculum, guided by the National Core Arts Standards for Music, invites students to develop the skills and knowledge to (1) create, (2) perform, present, and produce (3) respond, and (4) connect with music on a personal and communal level. 

The 3-year Middle School sequence in each of these pathways allows students to build upon the skills they have developed in their K-5 music education programs. Students also develop their musical interests and abilities during the pivotal middle school years. For this reason, students should expect that their participation in a selected music course will continue for their duration of study at SMS (3 years).

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PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLES

Each of these ensembles perform evening concerts in the winter and the spring. To foster the skills that are unique to ensemble work, students in these performing groups attend Early Morning Rehearsals (before school) as scheduled. These rehearsals are part of the curriculum, and families need to provide transportation for scheduled rehearsals. Each teacher provides a schedule for the rehearsals according to their grade level performing schedule and needs. This schedule is published each year in September. Rehearsals begin at 7:20 am. To see a current schedule as an example, please see the following links:

6th grade band / orchestra / Butler/Fountain Chorus, Cooper/Popham Chorus

7th grade band / orchestra / Butler/Fountain Chorus, Cooper/Popham Chorus

8th grade band / orchestra / Butler/Fountain Chorus, Cooper/Popham Chorus

Band

Band classes are comprised of woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. The performance literature covers a broad spectrum of music including traditional and contemporary arrangements from the standard and modern repertoire. The curriculum is designed to develop ensemble skills, instrumental technique, and a sound foundation of music theory concepts. Skills of sight-reading, ear training, and notating music are practiced in order to develop individual musicianship. Home practice is expected, and strategies of how to practice are a central component of class. The school maintains a supply of large instruments (bassoon, bass clarinet, tenor and bari sax, French horn, baritone/euphonium, tuba) so that students need not bring their own to school (and would rent/purchase an instrument to keep at home for practicing) and would only bring their mouthpiece to/from school.

Chorus

Students who are enthusiastic about singing and who would like to sing in an ensemble are invited to be members of Chorus. Chorus enables students to experience the joy of expressing themselves through song.  In order to do this, the vocal music program is designed to help students improve and enhance their own musical and performance skills, and to be active contributors to the ensemble.  Emphasis is placed on developing healthy vocal technique, in both head and chest voices, while encouraging expressive musicianship. The curriculum fosters skills in sight-reading, ear training, and the ability to read and understand musical notation.

It is our hope that students gain an understanding and appreciation of the historical contexts and cultural diversity of the pieces they perform. Through varied repertoire, vocalists are encouraged to use higher-order thinking skills as they make musical connections.  Repertoire is drawn from various genres such as American and World music, folk songs, choral classics, and popular music, including Broadway show tunes.  Through thoughtful reflection, students will assess their own vocal, musical and expressive success.

Orchestra

The Middle School string program centers the development of ensemble skills, teamwork, habits of good musicianship, and progressive development of instrumental techniques common to the violin, viola, cello, and bass. The curriculum fosters skills in sight-reading, ear training, and the ability to read and understand musical notation. In addition, practical music theory is consistently taught throughout the year with emphasis on major and minor scales, form, and rhythm practice. Critical listening, and a creative approach to rehearsing in which students are encouraged to evaluate their own and the group’s performance, are highlights of our daily work. The school maintains a supply of string instruments (1/2, 3/4 and full size) so that students need not bring their own to school, except for during Early Morning Rehearsals. Students are required to have an instrument at home and are given take-home music parts on which to work. Repertoire is selected from diverse cultures, periods, and styles as appropriate for strings ranging from Baroque to Contemporary eras, including popular and familiar music occasionally.