“There should be music in the child’s environment, just as there does exist in the child’s environment spoken speech. In the social environment the child should be considered and music should be provided.”
– Maria Montessori, Lecture

Music at PRM

The goal of the PRM music program is to make Life-long music lovers. Students are encouraged to explore their love of music whether that is through singing, playing instruments, dancing, or simply listening to music.

The classroom music experiences at PRM are based on the Orff-Schulwerk approach and the Kodaly method. Students are invited to speak, move, sing and play instruments in the playful exploration of musical ideas. These experiences enable students to develop understanding of the elements of music; rhythm, pitch, timbre, texture, form and expression. Students are exposed to a variety of styles of music and experience cultures that are different from their own.

Kindergarten

Kindergarten students are introduced to music through folk songs, musical games, instruments, and movement. Concepts for Kindergarten include:

  • Matching Pitch
  • Steady Beat
  • Using the 4 voices (talking, whispering, singing and calling)
  • Aurally recognizing and performing opposites (loud/quiet, fast/slow, high/low)
  • Sing and distinguishing the 4 voices (whisper, talking, singing, calling)
  • Using call and response form

Ms. Maria’s Favorite kindergarten activities: Using scarves to dance to the William Tell Overature finale and introducing students to the magical puppets, Fire and Rainbow, who can only communicate with students through singing.

6 – 9

The 6-9 level students use some of their acquired knowledge to perform music at a higher level. Students are introduced to the Orff ensemble (xylophones, metallophones, and glockenspiels) which we use to explore the elements of music (rhythm, pitch, timbre, texture, tempo, dynamics, and form). We also focus on the cultural aspects of music, the instruments of the orchestra, and important composers and historical periods. 6-9 students often take a trip to see the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra perform at Cincinnati Music Hall.

Ms. Maria’s Favorite 6-9 activities: Learning about the instruments of the orchestra using the “Young Persons Guide to the Orchestra” by Benjamin Britten, and dancing along to songs like “Can’t Stop the Feeling”

9 – 12

At this level students will begin to use the knowledge they have gained and will use instruments to perform those skills. 9-12 Students have the opportunity to choose their music special. We offer band and strings for students in 4th-6th grade, General Music for 4th and 5th grade and Guitar for 6th grade.

Band
Band, taught by Jeff Savagian ([email protected]), is offered for many 9-12 classes and offers Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Clarinet, and Flute. Sign-up sheets will be sent out the first few weeks of school.

Strings
Strings are taught by Carolyn Quinn ([email protected]) and are offered to all 9-12 classes in place of the General Music Class. The class runs for the entire school year with 2 required concerts, one of which is off-site of PRM. Students may choose from Violin, Viola, Cello and Bass (limited number). Advanced students have the opportunity to join an additional orchestra class that meets once a week. Sign-up sheets will be sent home the first few weeks of school.

4th and 5th grade General Music
Students begin to play more complex pieces on the xylophones and glockenspiels and also begin to work with the recorders. Students use the Recorder Karate method for learning recorders. Please check out the link below to find out more information about Recorder Karate:

6th grade Guitars
Thanks to the donations of parents, families and friends of PRM, the PRM foundation funded a new guitar program for the 6th grade students. Please check out the link below to find out more information about guitar program at PRM:

Special Activities:

  • After School Choir for Grades 2-6
  • Grandparents Day Performance each Fall
  • WinterFest Performance for Strings, Band and Choir
  • Variety Show Performance each Spring (by audition, theme varies by year)
  • Family Arts Night each Month
  • Participation in the CPS Community Collage each Spring