Our goal is to prepare students to appreciate music in their lives, as performers, composers, or listeners. In order to achieve this goal, our curriculum incorporates Orff-Schulwerk, Edwin Gordon's Music Learning Theory, Kodaly, and Phyllis Weikart's Movement Education in each student's general and instrumental classes. This approach is manifested through the use of speech, song, mallet and percussion instruments which enable the student to actively participate in the creation of music. Edwin Gordon's Music Learning Theory provides a sequential development of a sense of tonality and meter, and emphasizes audiation before notation. Kodaly's method of music Education develops skills in music reading and writing through singing.
Movement is used to reinforce specific ideas in the study of rhythm and melody.
Weikart's research has shown the importance of movement and rhythm in the general development of children and their readiness for learning. It is a sequntial approach to teaching movement that can be used as part of both music and physical education programs. All of the above theories of music education stress the importance of beginning music study as early as possible. Brittonkill Central School District Email Mrs. Wheeler with questions and comments about the Music Department web pages.