Lower School Music
In Hill Country Christian School's music classes, we seek to learn to appreciate the beauty of the gift of music, discover God's truth as we celebrate and experience music, and fill our lives now and in the future with the most excellent music - that which glorifies Him.
All Lower School students participate in "An Evening of Truth, Beauty, and Goodness," an annual Hill Country Christian School fine arts event celebrating the students' talents in music and art.
Kindergarten Music: Students play traditional song games such as "Farmer in the Dell" and "London Bridge." Students sing for performances to gain confidence and learn stage presence.
First Grade Music: Students play game songs, move to music, play classroom rhythm instruments, and learn fundamentals of music.
Second Grade Music: Songs integrate with class readings, i.e., students read The Drinking Gourd and sing "Follow the Drinking Gourd." Early American folk songs compliment a Laura Ingalls Wilder book. Students are introduced to square dancing and beginning Solfege (mi, so, la).
Third Grade Music: History and Bible studies are reinforced as students aurally and visually identify the instruments of the orchestra, listen to The Planets by Holst, learn about Handel, and listen to Handel's Messiah. Students perform at a senior facility, play rhythm instruments, and read music via Solfege.
Fourth Grade Music: Students study instruments and music from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance period and learn to play simple songs on the recorder (a popular Renaissance period instrument). The music of Bach is introduced. Two-part harmony is introduced in singing.
Fifth Grade Music: Students sing in two parts, advance their skills in recorder playing, and continue to sight read music using Solfege. Songs integrate with historical and biblical studies. Students learn about Mozart and Beethoven and listen to their music.
Upper School Music
Sixth through twelfth grade students have multiple opportunities to develop their musical talents. They may participate in Music Conservatory, Band, or Drumline, or become a member of the Practical Ministries Team, which serves as the praise and worship band for our school chapels. Sophomores, as part of the Humanities curriculum, explore the history of music in Western cultures in their Music and Art Seminar course.
