D.D.E.'s General Music program gives students the opportunity to learn music by making music. Students build foundational musical skills while exploring instruments, technology, performance, and a wide variety of musical styles.
Whether students are picking up an instrument for the first time or continuing skills they have already developed, our goal is to help every student become a confident, creative, and well-rounded musician.
Students develop skills in:
🎼 Music reading and notation
🥁 Rhythm and beat
🎹 Melody and harmony
🎧 Listening and music appreciation
🎤 Performance and ensemble skills
🎸 Instrument technique
🎵 Music creation and creativity
🌎 Exploring music from different cultures and traditions
Fourth graders get hands-on experience with the ukulele. Students learn basic chords, strumming patterns, rhythm, and songs while developing foundational musicianship skills.
Fifth and sixth grade students explore the piano, learning keyboard geography, note reading, rhythm, chords, melodies, and accompaniment patterns.
In seventh and eighth grade, students expand their musical experience through a variety of instruments:
🎹 Piano • 🎸 Ukulele • 🎸 Guitar • 🎸 Bass
Students learn to play together as an ensemble while developing skills in rhythm, chords, accompaniment, improvisation, and performance.
You don't have to consider yourself a musician to belong in music class. Our classroom is a place to try new things, make mistakes, collaborate with others, and have fun making music.
Every student has a place in the ensemble — whether you're a beginner, an experienced musician, or somewhere in between.