Music and Drama Curriculum

Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd Grade

The Orff-Schulwerk-based music curriculum in grades K-2 follows the Archdiocese of Louisville Curriculum Framework document. Features of the music program include a full instrumentarium of xylophones, metallophones, and glockenspiels, and a large assortment of world percussion instruments including African drums. Each primary grade is featured in a yearly performance featuring music, speech, movement and drama. Children attend two 30-minute periods of Fine Arts instruction weekly.

• Circle games, songs, canons
• Nursery rhymes, rhythmic speech chants, poetry
• Movement improvisation, simple folk dances
• Story dramatization with props
• Instrumental study: chromatic xylophones, body percussion, and percussion instruments
• Sacramental preparation: Reconciliation (Grade 1), First Eucharist (Grade 2)
• Performance Programs: Kindergarten (Fall/October), Grades 1-2 (Winter/December)

Grades 3,4,5

The Orff-Schulwerk music and drama curriculum for the Intermediate Grades 3-5 includes the study of soprano recorder in addition to their previous instruction in xylophone ensemble, percussion, dance and drama. Grade 3 meets for two 30-minute periods each week; Grades 4-5 meets for three 30-minute periods each week.

• Circle games, canons, two and three part songs
• Choral readings, extended poetry forms, rhythmic speech chants
• Movement improvisation, folk dance forms of increasing complexity
• Story dramatization, performance props, scene blocking
• Instrumental study: chromatic xylophones, body percussion, percussion instruments, and soprano recorder
• Performance Programs: Grade 3 (Winter/December), Grade 4 (Community Outreach/Nursing Homes, etc.), Grade 5 (Christmas Luncheon for Parish Seniors/December, Spring Program/May)

Grades 6,7,8

The Orff-Schulwerk music and drama curriculum for the Middle School Grades 6-8 includes the study of challenging repertoire for soprano recorder, and xylophone/percussion ensemble. Students learn to compose original musical compositions and dance choreography. In addition, the students study full-length dramatic plays for a yearly Spring performance in May.

• Canons, two and three part songs, choral repetoire
• Choral readings, extended poetry forms, rhythmic speech chants
• Movement: complex folk dances, original dance choreography created by students
• Drama and theater techniques, preparing an audition, advanced scene blocking and ensemble rehearsing , role/character preparation
• Instrumental study of advanced repertoire for soprano recorder, and xylophone/percussion ensemble. Students create original musical compositions.
• Performance Programs: Students often participate in "special invitation" public performances in the community; (Spring Program/May)
• Sacramental Preparation: Confirmation