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-3rd grade classes use Class Dojo; 4th-6th grade classes use ClassCraft to track behavior and participation. 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

• There is an intermediate after-school Concert Band open to all 4th-6th grade students
  

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

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

Classcraft

This year students will be using Classcraft. The students will design their own avatars and develop their classroom experience along with their classmates. Classcraft promotes fun, a team atmosphere, and gives students more choice in their band experience. Through Classcraft parents will find band assignments, student behavior and engagement, and achievements and praises. Once you have your parent/student login, click on the icon above to get started!

Helpful Links

Online Practice Record

Students have the option this year of submitting a physical practice record or keeping their practice activity online. Through this online practice record, students can also view how others in their class or even their school are doing. To get started, click the link in the title, fill out the registration form, and when you get to the teacher selection, enter "Dressler"

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

TK - 2nd Grade

Concerts

January 18

Talent Show

Auditions

3rd - 4th grade

Concerts

Arts

Showcase

April 12

Talent Show

April 29

5th - 6th Grade Concerts

6th Grade Drama

Performance

May 21

DECEMBER 22

Other Possible Performances:

National Anthem at Kings - 5th Grade

Spring Music Festivals - Concert Band

Reader's Theater - 6th Grade Drama

Monday Morning Messages - Various

Resources and Links

General Music Classes

• Class Dojo (TK-3rd grade)
  
• Classcraft (4th-6th grade)

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