Primary Years (K-5th) Music and Band
Over the course of the school year, students join together in musical activities, using their voices and simple instruments to develop concepts about sound and musical awareness. They participate in games, songs and creative movement activities. An awareness and appreciation of music from different cultures will begin to develop.

Here are the things we focus on throughout the Primary Years:

In Kindergarten we work on developing basic elements of music such as individual and group singing and moving in time, while building a personal repertoire of songs and music games.

1st grade students begin a detailed study of note relationships, rhythm and other music literacy components.

We are expanding our fluency in music literacy components in 2nd grade, such as note relationships and rhythms.

By 3rd grade we begin detailed study of instrumental music. We explore the way instruments produce sound, manipulate pitch, are grouped into families and communicate emotions and ideas in the absence of lyrics.

We continue detailed study of instrumental music in 4th grade by developing skills through practical application of lessons for winds, strings and percussion. Students will also be studying music made by instrumental groups, vocal groups and combinations of the two. We continually work to develop each student’s music literacy and singing ability. Students chose a woodwind or brass instrument by the end of the year for band class in 5th grade.

In 5th grade, students each play an instrument in the 5th Grade Band. They learn to identify and use the following musical notation and terms: sharp, flat and tie as well as the ability to identify and perform simple musical forms like theme & variation. Students will have the ability to discriminate between major and minor, and sing using proper posture, diction, breathing, and expression.

Middle Years (6th-8th) Concert Band
The Soundview Band Program offers students a hands-on experience that teaches basic performance skills needed to play in ensembles and complement learning that takes place on other settings. Band and music classes are excellent areas to develop individual identity, self-esteem, positive peer interactions, critical thinking and creative thinking. All students from 5th-8th grade learn to explain and apply concepts using musical vocabulary and will be able to recognize and interpret musical symbols and notation appropriate to music rehearsed and performed.

The music classes at Soundview follow national standard for music education to create a fun and informative learning environment.

Students in 6th and 7th grade will work toward reading, writing and creating music using rhythms from whole notes through sixteenth notes. They will also use and understand the uses of staccato and legato accents, identify registers (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) and identify musical notation (Da Capo, D.C. al Fine, Dal Segno, 1st & 2nd endings, key signature and clefs). Some students learn about improvisation and melodic phrasing while improvising.

In 8th grade, students work toward reading, writing and creating music using dotted rhythms. They learn to understand tempo markings like largo, andante, allegro, presto, ritardando and accelerando. Students learn and refresh their knowledge on terms learned in the 5th though 7th grades.

All students in 5th Grade Band or Concert Band perform music of varying styles and genres and in some instances, will have the opportunity to perform individually or in a small ensemble.

Jazz Ensemble
Soundview is proud to have many new and exciting musical opportunities for our students. We are pleased to offer Jazz Ensemble for selected Soundview students who play flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, drum set, guitar, piano or bass. Jazz is offered as a before-school program.

The course familiarizes students with the rich heritage of jazz in all of its forms: blues, Dixieland, swing and modern. It is a school-yearlong commitment with several performance opportunities at school concerts, our annual Arts Festival and several competitions. Many Soundview graduates are now playing in their high school’s jazz band.

The Soundview Jazz Ensemble competed and earned 2nd place at the Riverside Jazz Festival in both winter 2010 and winter 2011.

Here is what some people are saying about our Jazz Ensemble:

You guys are small, but swingin’!
          - Riverside Jazz Festival Judge, 2010

Soundview was small but good. You guys have a lot of good energy and it shows up in the music. 
          - Meghan Wagner, Auburn Riverside Band Director, 2011