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.

Singing is for everyone!  I encourage both boys and girls to consider joining one or both of the choirs we have to offer here at St. Luke's School.

This year our choirs will take place on Wednesday and Friday:

*Archdiocesan Festival Chorus - Grades 4-6 March 15, 2023 at Conwell Eagan High School 7:00 PM

This is an extraordinary performance where a few interested students are selected  by Ms. Paul to represent our school at these festivals.  All the music is posted online at the link below, and every student must work independently to memorize their songs for this performance.  On Wednesday, March 15th 12:00 Noon, students are expected to attend the rehearsal at Conwell Eagan High School, and they will perform the songs that evening.  Please check out the website below for more information.  If you are interested in taking part in this, please let Ms. Paul know. 

https://www.aemusic.org/festival-chorus

*Archdiocesan Honor Chorus  - Grades 7 and 8 by audition only 

Auditions - Sunday, December 4, 2022 - 1:30 at Corpus Christi School

https://www.aemusic.org/honor-chorus

Children's Chorus - Wednesday 12:00-12:50 Lunch/Recess in Music Room 
2022-2023  Chorus: (18 members) 

Katie Kass - 3
Molly McCullough - 3
Hugh Smith - 3
Vera Riehman-Murphy - 4
Brynn Gregorio - 4
Avery Podder - 4
Chloe Jones - 4
Caroline Claudius - 5
Fiona Griffin-Smith - 5
Lucy Rosa - 5
Maggie Corbett - 6 
Tatum Fitzgerald - 6
Violet Gregorio - 6
Rory MacDonald - 6
Evelyn Coffee - 6
Caroline Varga - 6
Kiersten Ehnow - 6
Maggie McGonigle - 6 

Liturgical Choir - Friday 12:00-12:50  Lunch/Recess in Music Room
2022-2023 Choir:  25 Members 

Gavaghan Chovanes-Ulbrecht - 3
Holly Gregorio - 3
Katie Kass - 3
Layla Murphy - 3
Molly McCullough - 3
Juliet Sabulsky - 3
Olivia Ward - 3
Brynn Gregorio - 4
Carina Higgins - 4
Briar Hurst - 4
Vera Riehman-Murphy
Ryann Penn - 4
Avery Podder - 4
Erin Stelacio - 4
Mia Briamonte - 5
Caroline Claudius - 5
Hope McCabe - 5
Lucy Rosa - 5
Maggie Corbett - 6
Violet Gregorio - 6
Tatum Fitzgerald - 6
Maggie McMonigle - 7
Alex Ruggieri - 7
Maggie Fitzpatrick - 8






Students are to report to the music room with their lunch for each rehearsal.  

The Children's Chorus performs for the Christmas Concert in December 2022 and the Spring Concert in May 2023.  This year neither the band or chorus will be competing at either HersheyPark or Dorney Park.  We are considering a service based performance instead of competitive nature.  More details will follow about this. 

*Please note that there will be additional afterschool rehearsals if necessary to get ready for the Christmas or Spring concerts. You will be given plenty of notice when the time arises.  

Thank you for your support of the choral programs here at St. Luke!

Best wishes for a happy and healthy school year ahead!

Ms. Mary Fran 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.

Students are introduced to musical notation skills using "Noteflight" www.noteflight.com by registering for a free account using their school gmail email account. Noteflight will allow students to write up to 10 free scores for any writing projects we may do in music class. 

Another fun music notation website is Chrome Music Lab https://musiclab.chromeexperiments.com/ to get students to write original songs by using colors.

Spring Musical Announcement - "Newsies"  Show Dates March 31, April 1 and April 2, 2023
Location TBD - it will be announced as soon as I know.

Important dates to note:

Parent's Information Meeting:  Zoom Meeting November 9, 2022 at 7:00 PM

Auditions for Grades 3-8 will be scheduled this year; a Google Form will be posted on my "Musical Theater" Google Classroom the choices of cast roles after Halloween - week of November 7th.

Audition dates:  Tuesday, November 15th, Wednesday, November 16th  3:00-4:30 in Music Room.
Call backs: Thursday, November 17th
Cast List:  Friday, November 18th (before we leave for Thanksgiving break)

*November 30, 2022 - 3:00-4:45  Music Room 
First read through with entire cast; give out scripts and rehearsal schedules.
 

I will be setting up the BAND app to keep parents informed about all pertinent play information.
 
I hope to see you take part in our show!  Ms. Paul