Music

At Sisters Elementary School, our students have the opportunity to visit the music classroom 2-3 times per week. During instruction, which is centered on the Quaver Music Curriculum, students receive robust instruction based on relationships first, music second. Quaver utilizes a seriously fun approach which serves as a catalyst to strengthen the bond between teacher and students. Quaver tools empower our teacher to lead student-centered instruction and form a strong connection with each and every student.

A strong teacher-student relationship leads to:

• More energetic classrooms
• Far greater student retention
• A rejuvenated music program
• And a lifelong love of music in our students!

Quaver lessons are completely aligned to National Coalition for Core Arts Standards (NCCAS), which are embedded in the lessons in each grade to create a comprehensive General Music curriculum, which helps prepare our students for their middle and high school music experiences in band and choir. Quaver also emphasizes enduring understandings and essential questions tied to each related artistic focus (Creating, Performing, Responding, Connecting) for each grade.

Music at Sisters Elementary also means plenty of opportunities for performing. Our students regularly prepare and present performances for Veteran’s Day, Holiday Showcase, grade-level musicals, in-class “informances.” Additionally, 4th and 5th graders have the opportunity to join our newly formed Sisters Outlaw Singers (SOS) Choir, which meets Tuesday mornings before school throughout the year to focus exclusively on choral performing and collaborates with the county-wide annual Kids Choir Festival in Bend during the month of March.

Kindergarten focus: SteadyBeat, Manners, Loud and Soft, Same and Different, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, our Four Voices, Rhythm, Pitch, Melody, Meter, Introduction to Orchestra Families, Dynamics, Tempo, Duration, lots of Listening. In 2019/2020, Kindergarten will present a musical Pajama Party on Thursday, March 5th 2:00pm SES Commons. (dates confirmed by Joan)

1st Grade focus: Beat, Meters (2/4, 3/4 and 4/4), Rhythm, Voice, Treble Clef Lines and Spaces, Melody, Identifying Notes and Rests, Tempo, Dynamics, Orchestra Families, a study of Camille Saint-Saens’ Carnival of the Animals, Form. In 2019/2020, 1st Grade will present a musical Go Fish! on Tuesday, May 19th 5:00pm SHS Gym. (dates confirmed by Joan)

2nd Grade focus: Beat, Meter, Rhythm, Singing, Melody, The Baroque Period, Notes and Rests, Dynamics, Orchestra Families, an in-depth study of Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, Composing, Form. In 2019/2020, 2nd Grade will present a musical Swamped! on Tuesday, May 19th 5:00pm SHS Gym. (dates confirmed by Joan)

3rd Grade focus: Rhythm, the Musical Alphabet, Singing in Rounds, Melody, Pentatonic Scales, the Classical Period and Composers of the Classical Period, Notes and Rests, Dynamics, in-depth study of the Woodwind Family of the Orchestra, introduction to playing Recorders (each student receives their own), Blues and Jazz music, Tempo, Chords and Harmony, Form. In 2019/2020, 3rd Grade will present a musical Compose Yourself on Tuesday, April 28th 5:00pm SES Commons. (dates confirmed by Joan)

4th Grade focus: Rhythm (triplets & sixteenth notes), Major and Minor Melodies, Note Duration, Notation, Tempo, Timbre, an Introduction to Stringed Instruments (ukuleles used in class), Chords and Harmony, the Romantic Period, Recorders, and a Rap Project. In 2019/2020, 4th Grade will present a musical Adventures of Lewis & Clark on Friday, February 14th at 8:45am SES Commons. (dates confirmed by Joan)

Additional performances include:

• Veteran’s Day Assembly – Friday, November 8, 2019 – 8:45 am SES Commons
• Holiday Showcase – Friday, December 20, 2019 – 8:45 am SES Gym
• Musical Year in Review – Friday, June 12, 2019 – 2:00 pm SES Gym
• SOS Singers in a variety of performances around town