Whether they’re clapping out a new rhythm, learning a song from another part of the world, or performing with their classmates, students experience music as something to explore, create, and share.

Our program has three elements.

Listening and Musical Awareness: Good musicianship begins with the ear. Students learn to listen closely, noticing high and low, loud and soft, fast and slow, and picking out the instruments and patterns within a piece. They hear a wide range of music, from folk songs to orchestral works, and learn to describe what they hear and how it makes them feel. This careful attention strengthens concentration and helps children connect more deeply with the music around them.

Musicianship & Expression: Students then put that awareness into practice. They develop their singing voices, keep a steady beat, play rhythm and melodic instruments, and gradually learn to read and write musical notation. In keeping with Montessori principles, skills build step by step through hands-on practice and repetition. As their abilities grow, students compose their own rhythms and melodies and use music to express ideas and feelings in their own way.

Collaboration & Performance: Music is something we create together. Orff instrumentation and theory are utilized to create ensemble pieces, where students with diverse levels of musicality can collaborate. Preparing for and sharing performances teaches responsibility, builds confidence, and gives children the satisfaction of contributing to something larger than themselves. These are lessons in community that reach well beyond the music room.