Music at SFDS

In this section: Philosophy Kindergarten 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade

Philosophical Overview

The music department at San Francisco Day School provides students with the opportunity to develop their inherent musicianship and prepare for lifelong participation in music. The faculty strives to balance intellectual components with aesthetic awareness while nurturing skilled, creative, and flexible musicians. Music classes focus on music making that will instill a love of music; spontaneous singing is often heard around the school. Music is an important part of the fabric of the SFDS culture; teachers and students of the music department enjoy providing joyful musical experiences that bring the School community together.

Day School students develop a love and understanding of music as they learn sequential concepts through active, hands-on participation. Music of many styles, cultures, and time periods is used throughout the curriculum. In addition, children are encouraged to improvise and create their own music. Students also utilize technology in the music classroom and in the technology lab. The materials used meet the needs of individual children while challenging their gross and fine motor skills, visual and aural memory, and intellectual and creative understanding. Through speech, song, instrument playing, and movement, children experience active music making in a supportive and nurturing environment.

The program incorporates a broad spectrum of music pedagogies focusing on the philosophies of Carl Orff and Zoltan Kodaly, currently the two leading methodologies for elementary music education in the United States. Additionally, music specialists focus on the nine National Standards for Music while implementing our scope and sequence for musical learning. Currently, all three music teachers are certified or becoming certified in both the Orff-Schulwerk and Kodaly methodologies. Music specialists meet with kindergarten and first grade children twice each week for 30 minutes. Students in the second grade meet three times a week for 45 minutes. Students in the third through seventh grades meet twice weekly for 45 minutes. Eighth graders integrate their three weekly classes with the drama specialist in preparation for the annual eighth grade theater production.

Performance practice is an integral part of the music program. Performances allow students to demonstrate new skills, develop confidence in expressing themselves in front of an audience, foster a positive feeling of ensemble with their peers, experience the joy of performing, and practice being supportive audience members. Our student’s demonstrated poise when presenting and performing is often noted by parents and guests. Classes perform at least twice yearly for the community, at either the all-school Thanksgiving or Holiday assemblies and at one of the grade-level evening Soirees. Additional co-curricular instrumental and choral music making opportunities are provided for students who wish to further develop their musicianship. A large number of students currently participate in these groups. The music staff also supports individual students who study privately by sponsoring annual mini-recitals experiences known at SFDS as talent shares.

Choral music is celebrated with two volunteer choruses which meet before school. The Dolphin Singers for 3rd and 4th graders meets two mornings weekly from 8:00-8:30 a.m. The Upper School Chorus (grades 5-8) meets two mornings weekly from 7:30-8:00 a.m. This year, over 120 chorus members devote some of their morning free time to these groups. Upper School Chorus members also have the opportunity to audition for the OAKE National Honor Choirs. Several students over the past couple of year have been selected to represent SFDS. Both choruses continue to perform extensively within the School and at various venues in the Bay Area.

Instrumental music is also celebrated at SFDS. Students who take instrumental lessons outside of the school are encouraged to accompany class performances and perform at special events. The music department actively supports small group music making and facilitates chamber ensembles for any students who can meet at a common time. Currently, instrumental chamber ensembles for strings, winds, and acoustic guitar take place before school. Additional individual instrumental music lessons are available. Instrumental lessons, taught by professional Bay Area musicians, are provided after school for an additional fee.

The music department has two large spaces for music making. Each room is equipped with a full class set of barred instruments, a variety of non-pitched instruments, sound system, and choral risers. Additionally, every student in grades 3-6 is provided with an individual recorder. The department also houses four computers, two MIDI stations, and studio recording software. Major performances take place in the performing arts center with theater lighting and sound, pull-down stage, and stadium seating.

The rich Bay Area musical community is used as resource for the music classroom. Third, fourth, and fifth graders participate in the citywide program entitled "Adventures in Music." This program pairs SFDS with a San Francisco public school and brings small ensembles to SFDS for private concerts. The program culminates with a trip to the San Francisco Symphony. Professional performers of many traditions and disciplines are invited for assembly programs, classroom demonstrations, and teaching. Guests have included the San Francisco Opera Guild, Lily Cai Chinese Dance Company, Word for Word (a theater company), Story Time (a local theater group), AXIS Dance Company, and Chen Yi (composer).

Music teachers actively participate in professional development throughout the year. This allows all staff members to learn new material and activities, remain current in the field of music education, and continue developing their own musicianship. SFDS music staff are members of the Music Educator's National Conference, American Choral Director's Association, American Orff-Schulwerk Association, and Organization of American Kodaly Educators.