Thank you for visiting the South Highlands Performing Arts Music site. I
hope you find the site to be informative and interesting.
The students at South Highlands spend their music time learning about music
as well as creating music. The primary goal in music is for the student to
leave after six years of music study, with the skill to take any musical path
that they wish to take.
In the kindergarten and first grade, the boys and girls are introduced to the
Orff-Schulwerk process of teaching music. This process originated in Germany
and has spread throughout the world over the last sixty years. With Orff-
Schulwerk, the boys and girls are given the chance to create music by using
speech as a teaching tool.
The recorder is introduced to the students in the second grade. Each child
is required to have a recorder at school and one at home in order for them to
practice.
In the third grade, the students begin a more intense recorder study by
participating in "Recorder Karate". This is a progressive system of study
that allows the student to recieve a colored belt that matches their level of
achievement. We have many students who make it to the ninth level, the black
belt.
In the fourth Grade, the students undergo a new trial of Karate music. This
music is much more difficult. The students also have the chance to
particiapte in the school's Tiger Chorus. The Tiger Chours is an award
winning choral ensemble that has performed in many venues both locally and
internationally.
In the fifth Grade, the students have the chance to put all of their
knowledge together. We begin the year with a close look at a composer of
their choice with the composer poster contest. They also spend a unit
writing and performing orginal musical works. The fifth grade year
culminates with the performance of the fifth grade musical. The students
create and perform orginal music for the musical.
If you would like to know more about music at South Highlands, please feel
free to e-mail me with your questions.
Musically yours,
Charles R. Brutus
Music Specialist