MUSIC

The music program here at Wayne Country Day School begins in Preschool where students go to music class twice weekly. The development of verbal, musical and physical expression are the objectives of these classes. 

The Lower School also experiences music class twice a week. All of the Lower School students continue to use the Orff-Schulwerk approach to music that began on the Preschool level.  From classroom participation and school-wide musical productions, our students gain confidence and poise while enjoying themselves.

In Middle School students take Middle School Music Appreciation. Students explore the history of music from Prehistoric to Present times.  Focus is on teaching students to identify the different genre of music, major artists of each time period and their major works. Much practice of aural and spatial  memorization skills. 

Currently being offered to the Upper School students are the options of taking piano or guitar lessons.

Kindermusik Our Time and Village

Wayne Country Day School is pleased to offer Kindermusik Village and Our Time to children birth to three years old. Kindermusic is special music and movement program that meets once a week with the child and caregiver. Through Kindermusik the children experience what the latest brain research has confirmed: purposeful music activities stimulates the cognitive and language, social and emotional, as well as physical development that begin the very first days of a child's life. With the Kindermusik home materials, class activities are easily woven into routines at home; therefore, making everyday interaction between the parent and child more magical through music.

PreSchool Music

The Preschool Music program of Wayne Country Day School incorporates various Kindermusik curricula, appropriate seasonal songs and activities, and music appreciation. The elements of music are taught in a developmentally sound approach. The children use gross and fine motor skills, concept formation and social interaction, while awakening their imagination. The musical trainning includes listening, singing, ear-training, ensemble playing, creative movement, musical notation, compostion, acquaintance with musical instrments, and literature from the various periods. Our emphasis is on having students in a musical enviroment at an early age when their aptitude can be developed. Further emphasis is placed on parent involvement. All Kindermusik curricula provide materials for the parent and child to use at home.

Lower School Music

The Lower School Music program of Wayne Country Day School uses the Orff-Schulwerk approach in teaching the students the elements of music. The goal of Orff-Schulwerk is to create a magical, joyful, and game-like atmosphere in which a student can learn to read, write, perform, analyze, and create music. Music activities are highly sequential, skill related, and focus primarily on the five elements of music rhythm, melody, harmony, timbre, and form. Unlike most methods, the Orff approach is bound by no textbook, or repertoire of teaching material, and is therefore from folk music, poetry and original melodies. The singing and playing of pitched and un-pitched percussion instruments along with creative movement is used to provide verbal, musical and corporeal expression. With Orff-Schulwerk, music is used as a vehicle in developing self-awareness, self-involvement, discipline, confidence, creativity and sensitivity.