Music

Grades Pre-K 3 through 8th grade have music once a week. They learn music by singing, movement, exploring body percussion, classroom percussion instruments, reading music, and playing the recorder. All children are introduced to a variety of styles of music including learning about classical composers, sacred music, patriotic music, orchestral music, jazz, as well as rock and roll.

Throughout their education at Saint Luke School, students will be exposed to music history, learning about the evolution of music in America, as well as the development of music from the Renaissance Period to the present. In addition to music class, students have the opportunity to perform in a Christmas pageant.

In Pre-k music class, we learn many traditional children songs as well as newer songs that are exciting and fun. We learn how to use our voices for singing, memorize words to songs, add movements, and add small percussion instruments. We explore our creativity through movement and rhythm when we listen to different styles of music including sacred music, classical music, jazz, and contemporary artists. As a first introduction to music for many children, Pre-K music class is a chance to begin to learn about the fundamentals of music like rhythm, melody and dynamics. It is a chance for children to experience the joy of music. We also express ourselves religiously by singing songs about Christianity and themes related to being God’s Children.

In grades K-2, we learn about keeping a steady beat, we identify the difference between loud and soft volume, high and low pitches, we sing scales using do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti, do. Students explore their creativity through movement and rhythm while listening to different styles of music including sacred music, classical music, jazz, and contemporary artists. We learn about various composers and artists, and start to develop an understanding of music history. We build on the Fundamentals of Music starting in Kindergarten to develop a strong foundation so that in the years to come, children will be able to learn to read music, sing proficiently, and learn to play recorder with ease. With the help of our classroom teachers, we continue to learn about our Catholic Identity through becoming more familiar with singing Catholic hymns that we sing in Mass.

In grades 3-5, we start to apply our previous knowledge to learning how to play instruments. In 3rd grade, students learn how to play the recorder using Recorder Karate, a reward system where students learn to read and perform music individually and in a group. In 4th and 5th grade, students start to begin to develop their ability to put the Elements of Music together to write and create their own music. Through performing on classroom rhythm instruments, singing as well as playing other instruments that students are learning outside the classroom, we learn the skills and discipline involved in playing in a group setting. We, of course, still learn about various styles of music including orchestral music as well as about composers and artists as well as music from different cultures. We are constantly learning to develop our rhythmic skills, listening skills and note reading skills through fun and inventive games. We continue to develop our Catholic Identity through singing Catholic music during class time as well as during Mass.

In grades 6-8, the students goal is to work towards having an understanding of the basic elements of music including rhythm, melody, harmony, form and texture, to be able to make judgements regarding the quality of works of music, to be creative while developing skills for performance through instruments and/or singing, to have an understanding of music history through composers' lives, and to have an in-depth understanding of America’s musical heritage. We accomplish these goals by listening to music, watching videos of orchestral performances, playing instruments together, singing Catholic music during class time as well as during Mass, writing about music, writing lyrics to rhythmic ostinatos, as well as composing melodies with basic harmonies. The use of technology will be integrated by using “Noteflight” to expand music literacy skills. Other educational resources will feature “BrainPop" to present short mini lessons on various musical topics. More emphasis will be placed in the exploration of music with creative “hands on” in-class projects with the extensive use of Orff instruments and new special effects hand percussion instruments in their performances.

Spring Concert and HersheyPark Trip reminders:

Please arrive at The Mount by 6:30 PM May 18th.  Dress is spring colors: please no jeans or sneakers.

**Early Arrival for Friday's trip to HersheyPark**  please arrive by 5:30, no later than 5:45.  We must leave promptly because of our tight performance schedules given to us by Music in the Parks.

Please see Mr. Meil's email with all of the specifics that was sent over the weekend.  If you have any additional questions, please contact Mr. Meil at [email protected]

Departure from HersheyPark will be 5:00 with arrival here at St. Luke's by 6:30 PM.  

Pizza Party for Chorus and Liturgical Choir next Wednesday, May 25th 12:30-1:10 in Music Room!

To show our appreciation for the Chorus and Liturgical Choir's hard work this year, we are having a pizza party.  If for any reason your child cannot eat pizza, please pack a lunch for them. They will also receive a Luigi's Italian Water Ice for their dessert.

At  the  10:30 Ascension Thurday mass on May 26th, the students in the Chorus, Liturgical and Cast and Crew of "The Little Mermaid" will be receiving a certificate at the end of mass.  You are more than welcome to attend!

Thank you for your support of the music program this year!  I could not have done this without you! I wish you and your family many blessings as well as a restful, safe and enjoyable summer.

Best wishes, 
Ms. Paul 











Pizza Party 

Thank you! Ms. Paul

Please check out St. Luke's Facebook page and Instagram account to see pictures posted about our music classes and music activities.

Additional links for music learning websites and games will be posted shortly on Ms. Paul's Google Classroom. In- class music games include various singing and movement games: (passing games, hide and seek, Musical Hoops, and Freeze Dance) to name a few.

Thank you!

Ms. Paul

Spring Musical Information 2022

Disney's "The Little Mermaid, Jr."

Confirmed Show Dates: March 25, 26, 27

Dress Rehearsals: March 23 & 24

Location: FFH

Parents, I ask that you go over the play rehearsal aschedule for the remaining practices for the month of January. I kindly ask that you highlight their schedules to check and see if they are needed to attend that day's rehearsal.

In February, I will give your child a hard copy of the schedule for the months of February and March. I will continue to post each day's rehearsal schedule on the Little Mermaid Google Classroom and for each homeroom.

As always, I thank you for your support of the music program here at St. Luke's School.

Ms. Paul

I am happy to announce that the musical chosen for this year will be Disney's "The Little Mermaid, Jr." Please keep your fingers and toes crossed that we remain safe and strong with in-person instruction.

More details will be coming as to auditions and actual performance dates in the spring.

Thank you for your support of the music program!

Ms. Paul