Delta Elementary Charter School

Music Program

General Music

• Each class meets for music once a week

• Music classes include singing, dancing, creative ​movement, playing instruments, listening, and ​learning musical concepts

• Each class has one concert each year

• TK-6th grade classes use Class Dojo to track ​attendance, participation, and communicate with ​parents. Class codes are handed out at the ​beginning of the year to all parents
  

Learning Objectives by Grade

• TK and Kindergarten: identify high and low notes, basic rhythms and a sense of pulse, percussion exploration, folk song repertoire, and length of phrase

• 1st Grade: reinforce steady pulse and phrase length, high and low notes, fast and slow tempo, pitch matching, basic rhythm reading, introduce rounds, recognize timbres
  

• 2nd Grade: introduce pitch and rhythm notation/reading, quarter and half note pulses, introduce time signatures, build and develop pentatonic melodies using solfege and Curwen hand signs, establish ostinato patterns, recognize more timbres

• 3rd Grade: recognize whole, half, quarter, and eighth note rhythms, identify all Treble Clef notes within the staff, play full songs on the soprano recorder, identify time signatures, develop question-answer improvisation, explore Major/Minor melodies, experience canons/rounds, identify basic song forms, expand knowledge of instruments/timbres
  

• 4th Grade: learn a traditional concert band instrument, recognize whole, half, quarter, eighth, dotted half, and dotted quarter note rhythms, identify simple and compound meter, demonstrate proper vocal technique, establish 2-part harmonies, recognize one major diatonic scale, create lyrical verses and ostinati, experience music through historical and cultural lenses, explore with non-traditional timbres and instruments

• 5th Grade: deepen understanding on a concert band instrument, develop part independence, strengthen understanding of simple and compound meter, introduce asymetric meter, emphasize live performance etiquette and presentation, strengthen 2-part harmonies, introduce 16th note combinations, develop intonation and accidental recognition, know all basic music terminology, experience music through historical and cultural lenses

• 6th Grade: Strengthen musical reading and expression by playing on multiple instruments in various arrangements and teams, improvise and create melodies and accompaniment, introduce 3-part harmonies, explore articulations, expressions, and dynamic ranges, postulate on timbres and musical expressions based on cultural influences and geographical location
  

• Band is an essential part of 4th and 5th grade ​education at DECS; 6th grade students get to choose ​between music and band class

• DECS has an instrument loan program available for all ​families unable to afford to rent an instrument
  

• 4th-6th grade classes meet for band once a week

• Each grade has one concert each year and participate ​in the annual DECS Arts Showcase in March

• 6th grade band students participate in a local music ​festival in April
  

Instrumental Learning

Delta Elementary Charter School believes in educating the whole ​child and has placed a large emphasis on music and instrumental ​learning. Playing a band instrument is one of the most fully engaging ​mental and physical activities. A student must learn to play ​independently, listen and adjust to others, regulate breathing, ​develop new muscles, act professionally, and create music while ​navigating relationships (just to name a few!).

4th graders begin by choosing one of the following standard concert ​band instruments to play: flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, ​trombone, snare drum, or bells. 5th and 6th graders have the option ​of staying on one of those instruments or learning the piccolo, bass ​clarinet, tenor saxophone, French horn, euphonium, or bass guitar.

Because DECS believes that every child should get the opportunity to ​learn an instrument, we provide instruments through our loan ​program for all families that would have difficulty purchasing or ​renting an instrument. Click on the link below for our loan interest ​form or for more information about our band program and what ​materials will be needed for the year.

Parent Information and Loan Interest Form

Helpful Links

Instrument Care

One of the most common requests I receive from parents and ​students is more information on instrument care: "How do I clean ​it?" "How do I bathe it?" (if it's a brass instrument), "How often ​should I clean it?" What do I do if ___ doesn't work?" I have ​included information sheets and teacher-approved videos to ​answer most of those questions. Feel free to read and view as ​needed.

Measures of Success

We use the Measures of Success method books for our primary ​instrument learning for grades 4-6. Concert band, however, will ​primarily be learning and growing through concert music. The link ​(embedded in the title) includes all the play-along tracks for each ​song in the book. Students would greatly benefit in their intonation ​(hearing and matching pitch), rhythm, and timing by playing along ​with these tracks during their at-home practice.

For more band resources and games, check out our Apps page!

Class Schedule

5th Grade

Flash mob

Kindergarten ​Performance

January 27

1st-2nd Grade

Performance

Talent Show

auditions

3rd-4th Grade

Performance

April 10

5th-6th Grade

Performance

May 16

Talent show

6th Grade Drama

Performance

may 28

Resources and Links

General Music Classes

• Class Dojo
  

Student and parent codes will be provided at ​'Meet and Greet' and in the first 2 weeks of class

Concert Lyrics and Recordings

As we get closer to each grade's concert date, ​their songs and song lyrics will be available here

TK/Kinder

1st Grade

2nd Grade

3rd Grade

4th Grade

5th Grade

6th Grade

Band Apps and Resources

All apps will be used in the classroom and can be ​used at home as well. Click here for instructions ​on how to sign up for Ningenius (free on laptops, ​chromebooks, and computers; paid app for Apple ​devices-"Ningenius Music Ultimate")

• Ningenius (computer)- game to learn notes, ​instrument fingerings, and music theory
  
• Bandmate Chromatic Tuner (Apple only) - ​displays played note on the staff and will help ​students play the notes more accurately
• The Monster Musician (Apple only) - students ​sight-read music and play in time with the ​music notes. The app gives feedback on ​student playing, encouraging playing accuracy