Program: Elementary Schools

Our elementary school program introduces young students to the joy of music through musical games and active participation.

The program is divided into two parts, with an interactive assembly and workshop. The intent is to introduce students to music by actively engaging them in fun musical activities, while reinforcing the importance of following directions and listening to others.

We consult with each school’s music teachers to customize each program to meet the specific needs of their students and curriculum.

Assembly Program Components:

  • Meet the Band & Instrument Introductions
    Students are introduced to each instrument, how it works, and what it sounds like.

  • Fun Sounds & Musical Exploration
    Musicians play funny and playful sounds their instruments can make.

  • Call-and-Response Music Games
    Students actively participate by clapping rhythmic patterns played by the band.

  • Dynamics & Tempo
    Interactive demonstrations of loud vs. soft and fast vs. slow help students understand how music changes.

  • How Music Makes Us Feel
    Short musical examples invite students to identify emotions and moods expressed through sound.

  • Musical Genre Examples
    The band gives a few examples of playing the same song, but with different genres. Students then will call out musical styles for the band to perform.

  • Build-a-Song Demonstration
    The band builds a song one instrument at a time so students can hear how music comes together.

  • Music as Teamwork
    Musicians demonstrate how listening, turn-taking, and cooperation help a band play together.

Workshop Components:

Each of these are examples of what can be covered in each workshop, based upon the needs of each school’s students.

  • Percussion Play-Along
    Students play hand percussion and other rhythm instruments with the band, learning how to keep a steady beat and listen to one another. This also introduces students to instruments they may not be familiar with (e.g. shekere, agogo bells, congas) and allows each of them to participate.

  • Dynamics and Tempo Games
    Students play simple patterns and rhythms and respond to cues by playing louder and softer, faster and slower, learning expressive control and how to follow musical directions.

  • Clapping & Rhythm Games
    Students clap rhythms with the band using call-and-response patterns, reinforcing timing, focus, and group coordination.