Music
“Music is a more potent instrument than any other for education, because rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul.” – Plato
Music is a priority at Oakwood from general music classes in Lower School to students choosing the area of concentration that interests them in Middle and Upper School. Students and musical groups participate in winter and spring music concerts, community performances and are also encouraged to participate in various and appropriate competitions.
Lower School Music
The Lower School music program is designed to encourage children’s natural enthusiasm for music. For many children, this is their first experience with any type of structured music class. Students learn to recognize and demonstrate the basic musical elements of melody, rhythm, harmony, texture, tempo, dynamics, timbre and form. Through singing, moving, playing instruments, creating music and guided listening, children discover and develop their musical abilities. Students begin to learn how to read and write music and these skills prepare students to play a variety of instruments in third grade. Students are exposed to different styles of music from different genres, cultures and composers through listening as well as music activities.
Band
In band, woodwinds, brass, and percussion instruments are introduced. Students study the fundamentals of and overall involvement in the arts.
Chorus
Chorus provides opportunities for students to develop their musical potential and aesthetic understanding through singing in a vocal ensemble. Choral students will also have the opportunity to develop solo vocal skills.
Strings
The strings course involves participating in a small ensemble (violin, viola and cello) comprised of students of various levels of experience.