Overview of the Music Program
Patterson's music curriculum follows a structure that addresses both the national music standards and the California state music standards. It combines the music teaching methods of Orff-Schulwerk, Kodaly, and Dalcroze to meet the needs of every learner. Based on these methods and standards, the music curriculum at Patterson focuses on the six elements of music: Rhythm, Melody, Harmony, Form, Timbre, and Expressive Qualities. This curriculum is a continuous process and the students develop both skills and understanding in the six basic elements of music at each level. As students continue through each grade level, the experiences they participate in expand and evolve, enhancing their musical growth. 

In every music class, students will participate in a combination of musical activities to learn and grow in the six elements of music. For example, in a 1st grade class, students will sing songs, listen and move to musical excerpts, read, clap, and perform rhythm patterns on rhythm sticks, and play a singing game.