Our Music Program involves the children in numerous meaningful experiences. We aim to foster a life-long love of music by teaching the concepts and skills in the curriculum and by engaging the students in many performance opportunities.
The concepts and skills of the music program are interrelated. The concepts, being the intellectual framework of the program, are divided into five elements. They are rhythm, melody, form, harmony, and expression. Concepts are taught through the participation of students in seven skill areas. These skills include singing, playing instruments, listening, moving, reading, writing, and creating.
At Brookwood School, we follow the Orff-Schulwerk approach to music, developed by German composer and teacher, Carl Orff. The Orff philosophy focuses on the development of the whole child through stimulation of the child's play, through exploring musical elements, and finally to musical understanding. The emphasis is on the process and participation by all children, each contributing according to one's own ability.
Finally, evaluation of the children in music highlights the development and progress made by the children. It is important that evaluation should not spoil the enjoyment of music for children; rather, it should enhance it. Measurement of achievement can be a strong and positive reinforcement for children as they try to be the best they can be.