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by Jodie Brown

A 4th grader plays the recorder in a recent music class

"When do we get our recorders?" "Can we learn that dance again?" "I want to play a xylophone." "Can we play 'Pachelbel's Canon' with the tone chimes?" "What are we playing for the Spring Concert?" These are just some examples of the types of questions that greet me at the beginning of each school year. And what a welcome sound they are! Questions such as these reflect the children's awareness of the progression of the music program here at school and the excitement they feel upon reaching each new group with its inherent musical "privileges".

As you probably know, the early years of music at SRV are devoted to developing each child's pitch and rhythmic awareness through singing, movement and instrument playing. The greatest emphasis is on feeling and hearing music while moving in some way (and there are many possibilities). This establishes the foundation for all other musical pursuits in later years. In the 1st and 2nd grades, children are ready - mentally and physically - for playing simple and somewhat repetitive instrumental parts on xylophones and other barred" instruments, as well as some simple improvisation.

By the time children reach 3rd and 4th grade, fine motor skills and developmental levels have reached a place where more complex musical tasks are possible. This is why the recorder is introduced at this level. The children so look forward to this musical "rite of passage!" (I often hear the younger children asking why they can't play those, too! If you've had a 3rd or 4th grader learning recorder already, then you know why the younger children don't play them at school!) Many are inspired to seek more in-depth instruction and greater musical challenges. By combining the recorder with percussion instruments (including xylophones), all of the children's various musical tastes can be satisfied. Then, when children reach the Oldest Group, the pinnacle of musical experiences at SRV becomes available to them. Not only does this group become immersed in tone chimes playing, but there is usually at least one opportunity to create an involved instrumental piece for percussion of all kinds in the spring of each year. This culminating project demonstrates to everyone that Oldest Group musicians have it all together and that they're the ones to watch!

Always having new musical experiences on the horizon keeps the children enthusiastic about music and feeling connected to each other in very special ways. I love being a part of that process!