Music
General Music
All TK – 4th Grade classes have music once a week. During that time, students discover and develop their God-given musical abilities through singing, playing a variety of instruments, creating, moving, guided listening, musical computer programs (beginning in second grade), and other experiential involvement. They also learn of God's creativity, beauty and order while learning to recognize and demonstrate the basic musical elements of melody, rhythm, harmony, texture, tempo, dynamics, timbre, and form. Each class sings weekly in their general music class as well as in chapel. All lower school students perform in the Lower School Christmas program and in the GrandFriends’ Day program in the spring.
5th Grade Music
The 5th grade meets twice a week for 50 minutes. The music program is designed to introduce basic musical concepts through choral and instrumental music. Students have a chance to explore both performance ensembles of choir and band. Students are guided in a selection of instruments and are instructed how to read basic musical notation, symbols, terms, and how to achieve the desired tone quality that is characteristic of proper singing, their selected instrument, and ensemble performance.
During the first few weeks all students spend time learning choral technique. After the first few weeks and for the rest of the semester, students study a wind instrument. Wind instruments include: flute, oboe, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, and baritone. For the remainder of the year, students choose to continue in Beginning Band or return to Choir.
Choral Music
Middle School Chorus
Students continue to develop basic skills in sight-reading, vocal technique and performance in accordance with state and national standards. Students perform varied repertoire on selected concert dates.
High School Chorus
Music on the high school level builds upon the lower and middle school musical experiences. Students continue to broaden their understanding of music, both sacred and secular. Students will be given the opportunity to build and develop vocal skills and technical expertise. Artistic and aesthetic expression will be expected at the high school level, focusing on presentation of work and high quality performances. Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their work at various high school and community venues. Excellent performances should be typical at the high school level. Music should develop as an art form as well as a form of communication.
Instrumental Music
*All students are instructed in reading and notating music through the use of a Music Theory Curriculum. Music performance and music theory are an integral part of the Covenant Day Instrumental Music Program.
Beginning Band
As noted above, students in 5th grade explore instrumental and basic musicianship throughout the year and are trained in music reading concepts. Beginning Band students perform at the end of the year Celebration of the Arts.
Intermediate Band
Students in 6th grade may begin or continue their studies on wind and percussion instruments. Music Theory and proper performance are stressed throughout the class. The Intermediate band performs a winter concert and at the annual Celebration of the Arts. The Intermediate Band attends the annual Carowinds Music Festival in May each year.
Concert Band
Students in 7th – 12th grades comprise the Covenant Day School Concert Band. Their continued studies include more advanced repertoire with music ranging from standard band literature to pop and jazz. In addition to a winter concert and the Celebration of the Arts, the Concert Band travels and participates at a Music Adjudication Performance Festival at various theme parks.
