Black Pine Circle School offers a rich and varied music program with music fundamentals as part of the regular curriculum in every grade, plus an extra-curricular program of instrumental training and instrumental and vocal ensemble groups. The following is an illustrative outline of our music program which, even when it varies slightly in its particulars, is always consistent in its depth and range.

Classroom Music Program

1. Fundamentals of music are taught through the Orff and Kodaly methods:
• Kodaly:  Using simple children's songs and folk songs at the younger levels as a basis for teaching solfege skills, i.e. sight singing (through use of hand signals), ear-training (recognition of pitch and interval), note reading from the staff, rhythmic recognition and notation, simple singing games to reinforce rhythmic and melodic patterns.
• Orff:  Use of xylophones, drums and other percussion to learn rhythmic patterns, following a conductor (entrances, tempo changes, and cut-offs), listening to each other (sense of ensemble). Use of singing games, chants, body movement and body percussion to develop a sense of rhythm and coordination. Not only lots of fun but excellent preparation for learning an instrument or for ensemble playing later on.
2. Singing Ensemble:  Continuation of Kodaly and Orff skills at the older levels: gradual increase in the complexity of part-singing and variety of song repertoire. Expanding from unison to rounds and canons, use of ostinatos and descants, and finally part-songs. Increasing sight-singing and ear-training skills, and knowledge of music theory. Learning varied song repertoire from around the world.
3. Dance:  As part of the classroom music program, this is an extension of the body movement work into more structured dances, starting with "play-party" songs in Kindergarten and 1st grade, and moving on to simple circle dances, square dances and reels from all over the world. In addition, there is a weekly session taught by a dance specialist, covering many aspects of dance technique--from expressive body movement to creative dance and more stylized dance patterns.
4. Recorders:  From grades 4 through 8 all students learn the basics of recorder playing, so that they are able to read and interpret simple recorder pieces and play in an ensemble with other instruments.
5. Music Appreciation:  Visits to the Youth Symphony, ballet, or opera. Occasional performances at school assemblies of BPC instrumental or choral groups. Guest instrumentalists in the classroom to demonstrate and explain an instrument and its function in a symphony orchestra.

Instrumental Program

These are extra-curricular, elective classes, taught either during the regular school day, or just before or after school, requiring a small extra fee. Generally half, or more, of the students of BPC are involved in an extra-curricular music group.

Beginning Violin--5 and 6 year old beginning violin, taught twice a week in the Lower School music room.
Second year Violins--2nd year beginners, taught twice a week in the Lower School music room.
Beginning Cello--taught twice a week in the Lower School music room.
Beginning Woodwinds--4th through 8th graders interested in learning clarinet or saxophone can join the beginning woodwind class, two mornings a week, at 8:00 a.m. in the Lower School music room.
Orchestra

• Junior Orchestra--string ensemble for 2nd and 3rd graders who have already had beginning strings; repertoire includes everything from waltzes and polkas to Bach and Mozart, 2:15 to 3:00 twice a week in the Lower School music room.
  
• Advanced Orchestra--4th through 8th graders ready for more advanced classical repertoire can join the orchestra for a chance to play varied selections from the real symphonic world, two mornings a week at 8:00 a.m. in the Lower School music room.
Mixed Ensemble (the Band)--any 4th through 8th graders who already play an instrument (guitar, woodwind, brass, percussion, etc.) or are presently taking private lessons on an instrument may join this group, two mornings a week at 8:00 a.m., Lower School music room. Repertoire is tailored to the group, and can include everything from jazz and pop pieces to standard band and contemporary classics. All instruments are considered, and most levels of accomplishment accepted. Auditions are held the first day of class.
Lower School Glee Club--This special chorus for 3rd through 5th graders who enjoy singing part-songs, rounds, fun arrangements of popular and folk songs, etc., is taught once a week during the noon hour in the Lower School music room.
Cantiamo--This advanced special chorus for 6th through 8th graders who want to try a more sophisticated repertoire, including classical, popular, folk, and contemporary vocal arrangements, meets once a week during the noon hour in the Upper School music room.

There are also two major Music Festivals every year during which all classes and music ensembles perform for parents and friends. There is also a Winter Showcase of our instrumental and choral students. In addition to this, students often perform works in progress for our informal Friday Assemblies or participate musically in other school events by providing solo or ensemble accompaniments for school plays, graduation ceremonies, etc., or just adding to the festive atmosphere of picnics and art fairs with dance, vocal, and orchestral offerings. And, most importantly, almost all BPC gatherings include a lot of singing--and all our students, whether or not they take up an instrument, are enthusiastic singers!

See the
Music Showcase 2000!!!
or
The Band at Jack London Square
or

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