The music program involves every single student attending Hopewell Elementary School. All students receive a musical education through the general music classes offered as a special area subject. In general music, students reinforce concepts they have learned in earlier grades such as beat keeping, staff reading, sight singing and the development of aural skills. Students learn new concepts to build on these basic skills such as more intensive rhythmic patterns, more challenging songs, and new curriculum elements. Students in both grades are introduced to world music and folk dancing at the 5th and 6th grade levels.
Interested students may choose to be in any of our seven available ensembles. Hopewell offers two choral groups that are free and available to all students. The 5th and the 6th grade choral groups meet during the school day and perform in our two seasonal school concerts for students, families and community members. Choral Ensemble is a vocal group made up of both 5th and 6th graders who have auditioned and been selected based on their melodic accuracy, aural skills and music reading abilities. Students in this group experience additional performance opportunities and purchase a shirt as part of their ensemble uniform. In addition to the three choral groups available at Hopewell, there are four instrumental ensembles available. Interested students are able to select an instrument to learn and play in these ensembles through the guidance of Mr. Maule, our band director. Students who are just learning their instruments will participate in Beginner Band before moving on to participate in either the 5th or 6th Grade Bands. Jazz Band is an auditioned group made up of both 5th and 6th graders who rehearse before school and experience extra performance and adjudication opportunities in the community and at the state level. All band members purchase a shirt as part of their ensemble uniform. |