Overview of District Music Program
Music education develops creativity, enhances cooperative learning, instills disciplined work habits and statistically correlates with
gains in standardized test scores. Every music course in the Newtown Public Schools follows a Board of Education approved curriculum. All music curricula is based on the national and state standards for music education and will develop children’s skills in creating, performing, responding, and connecting to music. All music classes are taught by specialists who have received their training and certification in music education.
Elementary School – General Music, Chorus, Recorder
Every child in grades K thru 4 attends General Music class once in every 6-day cycle. Students receive instruction that follow the Newtown Board of Education approved General Music curriculum and is in alignment with national and state standards for music education. Students begin to develop musical literacy by learning a number of skills including:
All children in grades K – 4 receive 40 minutes of instruction per 6-day cycle. Pre-K students also receive a musical experience as part of their overall educational program. Students in grade 4 also participate in their school’s chorus and perform concerts during the school year. Recorder is included in the 4th grade curriculum in preparation for the instrumental opportunities that follow at Reed Intermediate
School.
Intermediate School – Band, Chorus, Orchestra
Music is included in the overall academic program at the Reed Intermediate School. Instrumental instruction begins in grade 5. Children in grades 5 and 6 have the opportunity to select their music class and may choose to participate in Band, Chorus or Orchestra. Music classes are a part every child’s schedule, as are lessons, and do not take away from academic time. All children attend two ensemble classes and one lesson during each 6-day cycle. All students perform in concerts through the school year. Additional musical opportunities include Concert Choir, Honors Band and Honors Orchestra. In addition to the traditional winter and spring concerts, performances include a Chamber Concert and the Newtown Night of Jazz. Extracurricular music activities include Chamber Orchestra, Honors Band, Jazz Band, Bucket Band, and Show Choir. Sixth graders have the option of auditioning for regional festivals (Fairfield County String Festival and CMEA Western Region Middle School Music Festival).
Middle School – Band, Chorus, Orchestra, Music Technology
All children continue their music education at the middle school level (grades 7 and 8). Course offerings include Band, Chorus, Orchestra and Music Technology. Ensemble classes continue to develop skills and technique specific to instrument or voice. Music Technology classes utilize computers and music-specific software to assist, develop and enhance musical instruction. Music classes are a part every child’s schedule and do not take away from academic time. All children attend three ensemble classes during each 7-day cycle. All students perform in concerts through the school year. Extracurricular music activities include Chamber Orchestra, Concert Chorus, and Jazz Band. All students have the option of auditioning for regional festivals (Fairfield County String Festival and CMEA Western Region Middle School Music Festival).
High School – Ensembles, Jazz Improv, Harmony & Composition, AP Music Theory, Music Tech, Humanities (Music Focus)
The Music Department offers both performing and non-performing students the opportunity to further develop their technical musicianship and skills. A wide variety of courses are offered to prepare students for collegiate music and careers in the field of music. All students use creating, performing and responding to develop an understanding and appreciation of music as a form of expression and communication. Courses include Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Freshman Choir, Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, Unified Music, String Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Harmony and Composition I, AP Music Theory, Jazz Improvisation 1 & 2, and Music Technology 1, Music Technology 2 and Music Technology 3 and Humanities with Music Focus. Extracurricular opportunities include Marching Band, Jazz Band, Color Guard, Winter Guard, Winter Percussion, Singers, a capella groups, and the annual Musical. A chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society is also sponsored at Newtown High School. Music classes are elective choices. All students must earn 25 credits to graduate. All music classes will count as Humanities and Elective requirements. Music Technology classes will count towards Technology requirements. Senior Capstone requirements can be completed in all Fine Arts areas if that is an area of interest.
Music education develops creativity, enhances cooperative learning, instills disciplined work habits and statistically correlates with
gains in standardized test scores. Every music course in the Newtown Public Schools follows a Board of Education approved curriculum. All music curricula is based on the national and state standards for music education and will develop children’s skills in creating, performing, responding, and connecting to music. All music classes are taught by specialists who have received their training and certification in music education.
Elementary School – General Music, Chorus, Recorder
Every child in grades K thru 4 attends General Music class once in every 6-day cycle. Students receive instruction that follow the Newtown Board of Education approved General Music curriculum and is in alignment with national and state standards for music education. Students begin to develop musical literacy by learning a number of skills including:
- note and rhythmic reading,
- performing on rhythmic and melodic instruments,
- composing, arranging and improvising rhythmic patterns and melodies,
- listening to, analyzing and evaluating music and music performances
- making connections between music and the others arts
- understanding music in relation to history and culture
All children in grades K – 4 receive 40 minutes of instruction per 6-day cycle. Pre-K students also receive a musical experience as part of their overall educational program. Students in grade 4 also participate in their school’s chorus and perform concerts during the school year. Recorder is included in the 4th grade curriculum in preparation for the instrumental opportunities that follow at Reed Intermediate
School.
Intermediate School – Band, Chorus, Orchestra
Music is included in the overall academic program at the Reed Intermediate School. Instrumental instruction begins in grade 5. Children in grades 5 and 6 have the opportunity to select their music class and may choose to participate in Band, Chorus or Orchestra. Music classes are a part every child’s schedule, as are lessons, and do not take away from academic time. All children attend two ensemble classes and one lesson during each 6-day cycle. All students perform in concerts through the school year. Additional musical opportunities include Concert Choir, Honors Band and Honors Orchestra. In addition to the traditional winter and spring concerts, performances include a Chamber Concert and the Newtown Night of Jazz. Extracurricular music activities include Chamber Orchestra, Honors Band, Jazz Band, Bucket Band, and Show Choir. Sixth graders have the option of auditioning for regional festivals (Fairfield County String Festival and CMEA Western Region Middle School Music Festival).
Middle School – Band, Chorus, Orchestra, Music Technology
All children continue their music education at the middle school level (grades 7 and 8). Course offerings include Band, Chorus, Orchestra and Music Technology. Ensemble classes continue to develop skills and technique specific to instrument or voice. Music Technology classes utilize computers and music-specific software to assist, develop and enhance musical instruction. Music classes are a part every child’s schedule and do not take away from academic time. All children attend three ensemble classes during each 7-day cycle. All students perform in concerts through the school year. Extracurricular music activities include Chamber Orchestra, Concert Chorus, and Jazz Band. All students have the option of auditioning for regional festivals (Fairfield County String Festival and CMEA Western Region Middle School Music Festival).
High School – Ensembles, Jazz Improv, Harmony & Composition, AP Music Theory, Music Tech, Humanities (Music Focus)
The Music Department offers both performing and non-performing students the opportunity to further develop their technical musicianship and skills. A wide variety of courses are offered to prepare students for collegiate music and careers in the field of music. All students use creating, performing and responding to develop an understanding and appreciation of music as a form of expression and communication. Courses include Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Freshman Choir, Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, Unified Music, String Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Harmony and Composition I, AP Music Theory, Jazz Improvisation 1 & 2, and Music Technology 1, Music Technology 2 and Music Technology 3 and Humanities with Music Focus. Extracurricular opportunities include Marching Band, Jazz Band, Color Guard, Winter Guard, Winter Percussion, Singers, a capella groups, and the annual Musical. A chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society is also sponsored at Newtown High School. Music classes are elective choices. All students must earn 25 credits to graduate. All music classes will count as Humanities and Elective requirements. Music Technology classes will count towards Technology requirements. Senior Capstone requirements can be completed in all Fine Arts areas if that is an area of interest.
