South Buffalo Charter School

General Music

Students at South Buffalo Charter School have many opportunities to learn about music in a variety of ways.  In all general music classes, students in music explore music through singing, movement, performing, creating, listening, and responding to music. 

From kindergarten through fourth grade, students will sing a variety of songs from different cultures, genres, styles, and time periods. They will sing alone, in small groups, and as a class. Students will also move to music. This includes choreographed movement and free movement. Students will create patterns, songs, and movements to music. They will work as a class, and independently. Additionally, students will listen to a broad variety of music. They will discuss how to respond by citing characteristics of music. 

In fifth and sixth grade, students will study characteristics of music called the elements of music. They will use them to describe what they hear in music. The elements of music are as follows: melody, harmony, rhythm, tempo, dynamics, form, and timbre. As students study each element, they will complete projects, participate in class discussions, perform songs and activities, and play instruments that correspond to the element. Students will also utilize their understanding of the elements to compose their own song.

In seventh grade, students will study different genres of American music this year. They include rock and roll, country, pop, musicals, hip-hop, and jazz. As they learn about each genre, students will complete projects and participate in group discussions. They have many opportunities to share their personal opinions about music. Students will also learn how to play guitar in seventh grade. Students will learn to play a song from each genre on guitar.

In eighth grade, students will study different instruments and styles of music from other countries and cultures. With each area of study, students will complete assignments and participate in class discussions. When applicable, students will play instruments that correspond with their area of study and compose using those instruments. Students will also be asked to make connections between different time periods, instruments, and styles of music.

Chorus

Students in fourth through eighth grade may also choose to participate in chorus. There is a fourth-grade chorus, a fifth and sixth grade chorus, and a seventh and eighth grade chorus.

Participation in chorus has many benefits. Students have the opportunity to cooperate and work together as a large group in chorus. Cooperation can help students improve their social skills. Participation in chorus also contributes to a heightened sense of community and connection among students. Additionally, chorus encourages students to engage in whole-brain learning. Making music requires students to use multiple parts of their brain to make the experience meaningful. Furthermore, music also brings many different subjects together. Students will rely on their knowledge of mathematics, history, English, reading skills, science, and health. Students in chorus will sing a variety of songs from different genres, eras, styles, and cultures. They will share these songs at two concerts during the year: a winter concert, and a spring concert.

Band

At South Buffalo Charter School, 4th-8th grade students have the opportunity to join the band program. This program teaches your student not only how to play an instrument, but how to be a successful musician. Along with the 4th grade band, 5th/6th grade band, 7th/8th Concert Band, and the 7th/8th Wind Ensemble, we also offer a Jazz band and a Rock band. In these ensembles, your student will be introduced to a variety of musical styles along with the playing techniques that coincide with them.

Along with playing in an ensemble, your student will also attend a weekly lesson. These lessons are specific to the instrument your student plays. In these lessons, we focus on a variety of elements in music, such as music theory, aural perception, and improvisation.

Playing an instrument comes with many developmental benefits, such as stress management, emotional release, improved memory, confidence, a sense of achievement, and time management skills. Playing an instrument has also been found to increase intelligence and help with other different school subjects.

Students are able to show off their hard work by performing in multiple concerts throughout the year. Along with these concerts, students will also occasionally play in school events such as morning combo performances.