Preschool Music
It is generally accepted that musical instruction for younger students should be highly experiential. In the first few years of musical instruction, our focus is on developing an understanding of musical concepts, such as rhythm, melody, harmony, expression, and other basic concepts. Students are familiarized with the terms and are exposed to a wide variety of musical learning through songs, games, craft projects, classroom participation, and video presentations.
Students learn to sing the major scale and intervals using basic Kodaly/Solfege. Students also participate in creative movement (Dalcroze) activities and begin percussion readiness (Orff). As the student progresses, there are units on simple harmony, melodic development, long and short sounds, rhythmic development, and self-concept and diversity.
Lower School Music
Lower School music students experience music through a variety of hands on activities. Children explore their singing voice through games, group activities, and school performances. Music notation and reading skills are introduced sequentially throughout the lower grades starting with basic rhythmic patterns and note identification, building to melodic realization with recorders in fourth grade. Students are exposed to a wide variety of musical styles and ensembles through listening activities and a host of performances that the students attend both in our school and throughout the metro area. Within the context of music class, children make many cross-curricular connections between music, art, science, math, and history.
Fifth/Sixth Grade Band
The band program at Mount Vernon begins in fifth grade. Students choosing band are evaluated for an instrument at the beginning of the school year. They receive daily instruction in a full band setting and have ample opportunities throughout the year for performance. Within the band structure, the students learn instrument specific skills, music theory, history, and basic music appreciation. There is a strong emphasis on proper playing technique and habits to ensure that students complete the year with a strong foundation on their instrument.
Sixth grade band is an extension of their foundation year in fifth grade. There is still a strong emphasis on good playing habits and instrumental techniques. As the students progress and build more musical skills, they are able to play more challenging music. Sixth grade band gives the students the musical tools they will need to be successful in the Middle School band program.
Fifth/Sixth Grade Chorus
Chorus is devoted to the study and performance of music from a wide spectrum of styles and includes an introduction to fundamental singing techniques. Students who participate in chorus are enriched socially, while further enhancing skills in music theory, music history, and cultural exploration. Chorus also involves teamwork, confidence, community building, and musical interpretation.
Third-Sixth Grade Drama
The Lower School drama program at Mount Vernon helps third through sixth grade students develop an appreciation for the art of theater. The emphasis is on various styles of theatrical performance and building confidence.
Students perform using skills in pantomime, improvisation, and characterization. Students also learn about the parts of the stage, stage positions and movements, vocal expression, and other dramatic techniques.
Lower School students have the opportunity to perform in several dramatic performances each year, including a spring musical.
MS/US Band
The Middle and Upper School band program provides a proper outlet for students to continue to excel in their instrumental music studies. This program uses a comprehensive music philosophy that enables the students to better understand music as a whole. Students will study classic band repertoire as well as popular music transcriptions. The band is comprised of students in grades 7-12 and will have one or two performances each semester. Middle/ Upper School band is open to all students in grades 7-12 with prior instrumental training.
MS/US Chorus
Middle and Upper School Chorus builds on the foundation established in fifth and sixth grade chorus. MS/US chorus continues to be devoted to the study and performance of music from a wide spectrum of styles and includes an introduction to fundamental singing techniques. Students who participate in chorus are enriched socially, while further enhancing skills in music theory, music history, and cultural exploration. Additionally, students demonstrate elements of proper vocal technique, rehearse proper choral techniques, and perform repertoire from several periods of choral literature. Chorus also involves teamwork, confidence, community building, and musical interpretation.
MS Drama
The Middle School drama program at Mount Vernon builds on the foundation introduced in Lower School drama. Students continue to develop an appreciation for the art of theater. The emphasis is on various styles of theatrical performance and building confidence.
Students perform using skills in pantomime, improvisation, and characterization. Students also learn about the parts of the stage, stage positions and movements, vocal expression, and other dramatic techniques.
Middle School students are also involved in the production aspects of drama, including set design and building, costuming, lights, and sound. Middle School students have the opportunity to perform several dramatic performances each year, including a spring musical and a play written by the students themselves.
US Drama
The Upper School drama department is designed to give students experience with acting, set building, backstage production, lighting, sound and more. Drama is offered as an elective as well as an extracurricular activity here at Mount Vernon. In the fall semester we participate in the GISA region and state 1-AAA One Act Play competition as well as participating in other One Act Play festivals. Each spring semester we will offer other acting opportunities such as one and two act plays, monologues, and plays in which the entire school may participate. Even though our drama program is very young, we placed second in the 2005-2006 GISA AAA region One Act Play Competition and first place in GISA AAA One Act Play region competition in 2006-2007. We have also had special recognition at our state and regional levels with awards for best actors and directors since the beginning of our program.
MS/US Praise Band
The Upper School drama department is designed to give students experience with acting, set building, backstage production, lighting, sound and more. Drama is offered as an elective as well as an extracurricular activity here at Mount Vernon. In the fall semester we participate in the GISA region and state 1-AAA One Act Play competition as well as participating in other One Act Play festivals. Each spring semester we will offer other acting opportunities such as one and two act plays, monologues, and plays in which the entire school may participate. Even though our drama program is very young, we placed second in the 2005-2006 GISA AAA region One Act Play Competition and first place in GISA AAA One Act Play region competition in 2006-2007. We have also had special recognition at our state and regional levels with awards for best actors and directors since the beginning of our program.
