At The Oaks Academy, we believe that all of our ‘specials’, such as art, library, physical education and more, are integral to the enriching nature of a classical education. Our music program, in particular, offers a unique learning opportunity for our students and instills a life-long love of music. 

How We Study Music

As a classical school, we’ve tailored our music studies to specific pieces best suited for understanding the fundamental and foundational elements that exist across genres. Songs within the music program have been chosen based on traditional rhyme and folk melodies. These songs contain natural melodic expressiveness, natural flow of the language (rhythmicality) and texts that are filled with beauty.

Through the use of tested methods developed by Zoltán Kodály and Carl Orff, students are offered a well-rounded curriculum and age-appropriate teaching methods. Music instruction incorporates thoughtful activities that include listening, singing, movement and playing a variety of instruments, such as tonechimes (handbells), xylophones, and glockenspiels. Students begin to read music through exercises like solfege and counting and naming notes. 

Music in the Curriculum

In the classroom, music is used to introduce connections across the historic timeline, the guiding feature of our humanities curriculum. This affords students the ability to understand the context in which different musical pieces were written and performed. Knowledge and understanding of different world cultures and the events that surround the music enhances the learning of both humanities content and the music itself. By studying music that their parents and grandparents may recognize, students can build a generational bridge to lend their lessons even greater context with a personal connection as well.

In addition to the complementary learning done with humanities lessons, there is also continued habit development in music class. For example, students practice the habit of attention by focusing on and following their teacher’s cues – which is especially important when learning a new instrument in music class. They also practice the habit of respect by listening to not only themselves but also their peers to maintain a uniform harmony when singing. As noted by one of our music teachers, “Consistency in habit development happens with music much like it does in humanities classes and is truly a treat for parents to see when the habits are on full display during concerts and performances.”

The sounds from the music room are always a delight to hear gently echoing and filling the halls with beauty and joy. Weaving a wonderful soundtrack to the day, music class is a constant reminder of how we at The Oaks cherish all the different ways that we can learn through the enriching nature of our integrated curriculum.