St. Francis Xavier School

In Preschool, PreK and Kindergarten, students are introduced to the four ways we shape music: high and low (pitch), fast and slow (tempo), loud and quiet (dynamics), and smooth and bumpy (articulation).  Using songs, books, dancing and games, students begin to appreciate and understand what makes music.

In First grade we learn to hear the beat with Square Dancing.  Second grade builds on that by learning to play rhythms on our various percussion instruments.  Third graders learn to play tuned percussion, including xylophones, boomwhackers, and bells.  All three lower elementary grades also do an orchestra unit each year, alternating between "Peter and the Wolf", "Carnival of the Animals", and Instruments of the Orchestra.

In Fourth grade, students are introduced to notes on the treble clef and start to play the recorder.  Fifth graders play the bucket drums and compose a 16-measure piece to be played in small groups.  Sixth graders play the ukulele and learn how chords are built.  In Seventh grade, students perform in a percussion ensemble and start to learn more about music theory.  As eighth graders, students continue learning about music theory, culminating in a composition they write themselves.  

We are also lucky enough to have a very large participation in our weekly school Mass choir.  Starting at the end of 3rd grade, students are invited and encouraged to take part.  Because of its popularity, we have a rotating list and students get an opportunity to sing about twice a trimester.  In addition, we offer multiple choirs during the year for students to get more time singing: Christmas Pageant, Grandparents' and Other Loved Ones Day, as well as a new choir that will host stand-alone concerts 2-3 times per year.