It is widely known that a student’s experience with music is closely related to broader academic success.  Music is an art that inspires teamwork while engaging both the logical and intuitive mind.

At our school, music study combines listening, singing, playing, moving, creating, reading and performing.  Every day is music day at the Sebastopol Independent Charter School, as students will sing and play music on a daily basis through the grades.

The wooden pentatonic flute is studied in the first and second grades, transitioning to the soprano recorder and then the alto, tenor and bass recorders in subsequent grades. Main lessons introduce singing and rhythmic games and subject classes in strings and chorus expand the depth of musical experience and understanding.

Formal violin study begins in third grade, to develop a capacity for listening.  Because the violin does not have keys, the child must listen with a critical ear to find the pitch on the open string.  In this way, the child actively experiences the nature of tone and harmony.  Participation in the string ensemble program from fourth through eighth grade is expected, and our five performing ensembles have long been a highlight of the student and parent experience.