Welcome to Music Class! I am so excited to see every student, new or old, at St. Mary Catholic School. At St. Mary we strive for excellance and Music is no different. I hope to see your student soon and we will have fun playing, singing and dancing to music.

Kindergarten through 8th grade music students are expected:

Make choices that help you and others learn .
Use instruments with care.
Speak, sing, and play only when asked.
Immediately follow directions. 
Consider others and be kind.
Try your best.
HAVE FUN!!!

All students start with an S (grades K-4th) in music. With consistent participation (singing, playing instrument, moving to the beat) and S+ may be given. Fifth through Eighth grades have a letter (F-A) grade system. Disruptive behavior, excessive talking, and not following directions will affect a student's grade. I work with a three strike rule. If I have to give a student three strikes, they will get a "think-sheet". The think-sheet is a reflective sheet that will have to be taken home to their parents/guardians. If a sudent receives three think sheets, then I will talk with the Principal about detention. K through Fifth grades we will learn music through different games and activities. Students will grow in their musical understanding. In elementary school, we will learn skills like:

Steady Beat
Solfege
Note Names
Rhythms
Proper Stage etiquette
Recorders (3rd & 4th grades only)
Keyboard Instruments
Ukuleles (5th grade only)
Staff Reading
Dances
Composing
Improvisation

Middle school will be structured differently than elementary school. We will work on fundamental music skills in fun and engaging ways. Students will work on their skills in music by quarterly sight-singing tests, rhythm counting tests and projects. As a middle school team, we have high expectations for our middle school leaders at St. Mary Catholic School. In middle school, we will learn skills like:

Music reading on the staff
Sight-singing skills (solfege and rhythms)
Note Names
Key signatures
Major/minor scales
Time signatures
Rhythm number counting
Music history
Music from the Mass
Music careers
Composing
Improvisation