Greetings from the Peabody JK-5 General Music Teachers!
For those of you that may have missed our presentations and handouts on Curriculum Night, below is a recap of students’ learning goals by grade level followed by a “What to Wear and What Not to Wear” to Peabody Concerts for students in grades 1-5.
Reminder! Our Winter Concert Dates are as follows:
Winter Concert (Grades 1-4)
Friday, December 12 | 9:30AM
Students in grades 1-4 are expected to wear the traditional Peabody concert attire of white tops and black bottoms with stage appropriate shoes.
Winter Concert (Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten)
Thursday, December 18 | 9:30AM | Auditorium
Students in Kindergarten are expected to wear dress clothes with stage appropriate shoes.
Peabody Music Curriculum Overview
Students at the Peabody School are immersed in a comprehensive Kodály music program. Students in grades JK-2 receive music instruction in music 4 times per week for a 30-minute period. Students in grades 3-5 receive music instruction 3 times per week for a 45-minute period.
Kindergarteners are learning how to access their singing voice through folk songs, singing games, chants, rhymes and other repertoire. Students are developing a sense of steady pulse and rhythm through a variety of movement and listening activities. Concepts such as high/low, fast/slow, short/long will be explored in a musical context.
First Graders are beginning to develop their musical literacy skills through folk songs, singing games, chants, rhymes and play parties. They will begin by developing the ability to differentiate between beat and rhythm and beginning part-work will be explored. Melodic elements will be the notes so-mi, la, do, re also known as the pentatonic scale. Rhythmic elements include quarter notes, beamed eight notes, meter and a quarter rest. Beginning form and musical patterns will be discussed.
Second Graders extend their music literacy skills through continued study from first grade while building their song repertoire. Melodic elements include the notes low la and low so or the extended pentatonic scale. Rhythmic elements include half note, sixteenth note and syncopated rhythms. They continue to study form as it applies to both written music and movement.
Third Graders deepen their music literacy skills through singing and playing instruments such as xylophones and un-pitched percussion. They become increasingly more independent in part-singing, reading and writing music. Melodic elements include practice of the extended pentatonic scale, fa, absolute pitch names, and intervals. Rhythmic elements include sixteenth note variations, 6/8 meter, and anacrusis.
Fourth Graders become fluent with the diatonic scale and a variety of advanced rhythmic elements. Students practice absolute pitch names and learn to play the recorder. Melodic elements include ti, chordal harmony, major and minor diatonic scales, intervals, and the blues scale. Rhythmic elements include 3-meter, anacrusis, dotted rhythms and cut time.
Fifth Graders choose between a wind instrument, stringed instrument, or voice (chorus) for two of their three music classes. They attend general music once weekly, where they continue their study of modal harmonies and build their cumulative knowledge through improvisation and composition. Fifth Grade students complete written homework assignments for music class each week.
Early Bird Singers is a before-school choir for Peabody students in grades 3, 4, and 5 who wish to enhance their music education in the choral setting. Early Birds will rehearse on Mondays and Wednesdays, beginning at 8:10AM. Its mission is to educate students in proper vocal technique, enhance music literacy, foster and appreciation for diverse repertoire, and create meaningful musical experiences. Early Birds represents the Peabody School at the Big Sing choral festival and performs a full concert each spring.
Musically Yours,
Katie Bach & Megan Ankuda
What to Wear for Peabody Concerts
The purpose of black and white concert attire is to reflect the consistent uniform singing tone and strive for in the choral setting. The focus should be on the whole group rather than the individual.
Black on Bottom: Pants, Skirt with black tights
White on Top: Plain white shirt
Feet: Flat black shoes, Black socks
What Not to Wear:
- Shirts with designs or prints
- Minimal Sequins and Accessories
- Sweaters or jackets that are not white Sneakers
- Flip-flops
- High-heeled shoes
Please contact Ms. Bach or Ms. Ankuda if you are in need of concert clothing. Thank you!