4th grade is a big music year.  This is the grade that gets the only "Music" field trip.  I take them to see the our nationally acclaimed NC Symphony.  We spend a lot of time learning about the music we will hear:  the composers, the style, the musical elements represented in the pieces and the families of instruments.

4th graders are also allowed to join Chorus if they want to.  Please see my Chorus page on this site to read more!

In the Spring, the main grade will be based on learning recorder!  WAIT!  Before you stop reading... let me say that the recorder is a great start toward learning ANY woodwind instrument.  They are held the same way, with the left hand on top ( although pitches may vary) use breath, and require some brain work to read music.  They can actually sound very nice, IF you allow your child to practice!

I do a method called "Recorder Karate" where they earn belts ( colored cords) to display on they recorder, as they move up.  I will also set each class up with a Recorder Google class site where they can view my video instructions at home, as an enhancement of class work.  They will also be able to record themselves and send it to me to view and pass them on their work.