Music and music performance indirectly boosts academic performance in all subject areas. It is an important component of the school’s whole person educational philosophy. Music strengthens:
- Memorization
- Hard work
- Focus
- Fine motor skill development
- Auditory learning
- Self-Confidence
- Improved spatial intelligence
The St. Charles Catholic School Music Program is centered on a mission to foster an appreciation and love for music. Students have the opportunity to develop practical skills and knowledge that will allow them to not only play music, but to also understand the processes behind it. The program brings opportunities to all students to perform and grow as individuals and as part of an ensemble.
Music K-4
Our music specialists, use the Orff approach to teaching music in our K-2 classes. The Orff approach is a method of teaching children about music that engages their mind and body through a mixture of singing, movement, listening activities, and the use of mallet percussion instruments, such as xylophones.
Our grades 3-4 students work on developing music reading and writing skills, deepening their understanding of rhythm and beat concepts, and exploring music language to express their musical ideas.
Violin Grades 3-8
Students in Grades 3-8 are taught violin as part of their regularly scheduled music classes.
Basic skills necessary to learn the violin such as posture, basic note reading and mapping out the fingerboard are taught. Students learn to work on ensemble skills such as following conducting and listening to each other while playing.
As student skills develop, there is also the opportunity to audition to join the Violin Ambassadors who represent the school at venues throughout the city.
Choral Grades 3-8
Students learn simple rhythm exercises and songs to instruments and singing harmony. Students learn to identify, read and demonstrate the appropriate music hand signs and to perform rhythms presented in class. Lessons focus on the progression and enhancement of: music language, performance skills, creative expression, analysis and communication as well as knowledge of the arts in culture and society.
Our choirs participate in … school events/concerts, church Masses, the Winnipeg Music Festival, and at a variety of community events.