About Music
Page Contents
About Music Class (Special)
As part of the special area subjects students receive, all students from Kindergarten to 5th Grade attend a 35-minute music class once a week.
In this class, students sing songs, play games and dance to music from various cultures. These resources and activities are used as tools to develop musical fluency. Through aural, kinesthetic and visual exploration of various musical concepts, students learn how to read, write, understand and communicate music in a fun, playful and engaging way!
In 3rd grade, students receive instruction on a small musical instrument called the recorder. A personal recorder is provided for each student to use and keep.
Students learn how to play the recorder as a preparational tool for instruction on a band or string instrument. These optional instrumental lessons are offered to students in 4th and 5th Grade (See below).
About Band and Orchestra
In addition to weekly music classes, the opportunity to participate in band and orchestra is offered to students in 4th and 5th Grade. These ensembles rehearse once a week either before school or during recess, and most perform twice a year in the Winter and Spring Concerts.
Small group instrumental lessons are provided by the school free of charge. Instruments must be purchased or rented from an approved vendor in order to participate in these lessons. Our vendors include: Music & Arts, NEMC, and The Music Shop.
For a list of instruments taught and/or registration information, please contact:
String Lessons and Orchestra at Monmouth Junction and Constable Schools
Band Lessons
at Monmouth Junction School
Band Lessons
at Constable School
About Choir
In addition to weekly music classes, the opportunity to sing in choir is offered to students in 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade.
There are three choirs:
3rd Grade Choir
4th and 5th Grade Choir
MJ Jaguar Choir / CO Chamber Choir (4th and 5th Grade Choir students only)
All students are invited to sing in the 3rd Grade Choir or the 4th and 5th Grade Choir. These choirs rehearse during recess once a week. All choirs perform in the Winter and Spring Concerts. 4th and 5th Grade students enrolled in choir are also afforded the opportunity to sing the National Anthem at Trenton Thunder to start that night's baseball game!
4th and 5th Grade students who really love to sing are invited to audition for the Monmouth Junction School Jaguar Choir or Constable School Chamber Choir! These additional choirs give students the opportunity to learn and sing more advanced music with a smaller, select group of singers.
Students are invited to participate in the Jaguar/Chamber Choir based on their audition. If offered the opportunity to participate:
Students must also sing in the 4th and 5th Grade Choir.
Students must have transportation to weekly rehearsals which are held before school hours. Transportation is not provided for this activity.
Information about auditions is shared with students during our first 4th and 5th Grade Choir meeting.
About the School Musical
A school musical is organized annually as an extracurricular pay-to-participate activity.
At Monmouth Junction School, this opportunity is offered to 5th Grade students and is facilitated by Mr. François Suhr and Ms. Karly Sarnowski.
At Constable School, this opportunity is offered to 4th and 5th Grade students and is facilitated by Ms. Crystal Huau and Mrs. Ellen Gehringer.
All students who join will participate in the cast to put on an amazing show!! Auditions are held solely to determine lead and supporting roles. Musical rehearsals typically start in January and culminate with a show in April.
Registration is currently not open.
More information will be provided later in the school year!
More information will be provided later in the school year!
About Me
Mr. François Suhr is in his fourteenth year of teaching elementary school choral and general music. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University and a Master of Education with Kodály Certification from the American Kodály Institute at Loyola University.
Outside of school, Mr. Suhr serves as an associate director and collaborative pianist with the Princeton Girlchoir and Princeton Boychoir. His experience as a pianist and music director ranges from numerous theatrical productions at community theatres and schools throughout New Jersey to serving on the music staff for the Broadways Artists Alliance Summer Intensive Program in New York City.