Primary

The Summit’s music program at the Primary level is based on the pedagogy of the late German composer and educator Carl Orff. The Orff-Schulwerk approach uses singing, rhythmic speech, instrument playing (both pitched and non-pitched), movement and improvisation to teach children the basic elements of music. Children are actively engaged in making music at all times.

First grade

At the first grade level, the students begin to use standard musical notation to sing, play instruments and compose original pieces. Each month the music and life of a different prominent composer is explored. The children use the many classroom instruments available and begin to play and sing together as an ensemble. Elementary dance steps are introduced, and the children engage in many singing/movement games. Music from a wide variety of cultures is introduced. The children use drama as a tool to explore music and literature. Various props such as streamers and scarves are used to foster creativity and give the children opportunities to experience group and individual/free movement.

The first and second grade children combine their forces each year to present a concert/musical revue The concert highlights our Orff-Schulwerk instrumentarium and its uses, and the children demonstrate their skills in ensemble playing and singing. This year the children presented a fun show entitled "Silly Songs."

Second grade

At the second grade level, the students expand upon the skills learned in first grade. They routinely use standard musical notation to sing, play instruments and compose original pieces. Musical symbols indicating tempo, time signature, dynamics and articulation are introduced. The children begin to use the computer program Music Ace to reinforce these concepts and create their own musical compositions. They continue to learn about the music and life of a different prominent composer each month. Using the many instruments available in the classroom, they play and sing together as an ensemble. More difficult dance steps are introduced. Music from a wide variety of cultures continues to be explored. The children study and learn to identify by sight and sound the instruments of the symphony orchestra.

Third grade

At the third grade level, the children continue to expand upon the skills acquired in the first and second grades. They use standard musical notation to sing, play instruments and compose original pieces, and they learn more advanced applications of the computer program Music Ace to help reinforce these concepts. The recorder is introduced as an enhancement to our Orff ensemble. The music and life of a different prominent composer is introduced each month, with an emphasis on jazz, rock and American classical composers. The music of various cultures continues to be explored. Using the many instruments available in the classroom, the children play and sing together in a multi-layered musical ensemble. More advanced dance steps and movement/singing games continue to be introduced.

The third grade students apply their knowledge in a musical production presented to their families and classmates in the spring. This year's play, "The Princeless Princess," was performed in March 2010 with two casts.