Prep School - Music
Department Overview
Music education at Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School provides every student with a hands-on musical experience, including both performance opportunities and the development of critical listening skills. In basic courses, students learn the vocabulary of music, such as pitch, scales, intervals, key signatures, triads, rhythm, and meter. Building on their knowledge of these musical components, students then listen discriminately and hear music with a more critical ear. Performance opportunities are available with electives, clubs, and ensembles. There are 2 musicals every year (one for grade 9-12 in February and one for 7/8 in May)
Prep School Music
The purpose of the Prep School Music Department is to offer every student the opportunity to participate in and appreciate music on a more advanced level. Our course selection is designed to offer students an opportunity to foster their academic, intellectual, aesthetic, creative, and physical development. Since we have the luxury of a small student/ teacher ratio, the music department has been able to cater to individual student needs. The members of the department monitor each student and a "game plan" is made for those who wish to pursue music at a college level, though we strive to give all of our students a meaningful experience in music that will allow them to appreciate and practice music throughout their lives.
As a department, we provide opportunities for students to explore all aspects of education. Through music, children can learn another language, reinforce math skills, learn the scientific aspects of the theoretical elements, gain a new appreciation for history, and reaffirm their knowledge of the English language. We firmly believe in these core values as well as the general appreciation, understanding of, and respect for music all of kinds.
Over the course of his or her high school experience, a student may be as involved as he or she wishes in the music program. The amount of work necessary is based on individual interest. At the upper level, we expect that being involved in the music department is primarily a matter of choice and expect our students to take their work seriously. Students practice both in school and outside of the academic day in order to ensure success.
The technology program within the Music Department has grown tremendously in the last three years. We have integrated computers into many aspects of the music curriculum. One of our visions is to utilize technology while preserving the dignity of the natural instrument. We work with Practica Musica, Sibelius and extensive midi systems so that students can explore the boundaries of music.
Every music teacher, aside from being a qualified educator, is a practicing/working musician. We believe that this gives the students the opportunity to see how music is incorporated and utilized in the professional world. We also give our students opportunities to be "working musicians" through a variety of performance opportunities, including yearly concerts. In addition, our vocal and jazz groups perform at the yearly benefits, assemblies, school musicals, admission events, and at local nursing homes.
Past Prep School Musical
2011- Into the Woods
2010- Sweeney Todd (The Demon Barber of Fleet Street)
2009- Little Shop of Horrors
2008- You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown
2007- The Wizard of Oz
2006- Kiss Me, Kate
2005- The King and I
2004- Carousel
2003- A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
2002- Babes in Arms
2001- A Shakespeare Cabaret featuring Kiss Me, Kate/Taming of the Shrew and West Side Story/Romeo and Juliet
2000- Man of LaMancha
1999- Into the Woods
1998- A Chorus Line
1997- The Fantastiks
Music education at Columbia Preparatory provides every student with a hands-on musical experience. We believe that music is an integral part of human life, and that music is an essential part of a well-rounded education. All students in 7th, 8th, and 9th grades take general music classes in which every student has the opportunity to:
• Sing
• Play instruments
• Improvise and compose music
• Read and notate music
• Listen to, analyze, and describe music
• Evaluate music and music performances
• Understand relationships between music, the arts, and other disciplines.
• Understand music in relation to history and culture
In addition to these basic courses, students have multiple performance opportunities via electives, clubs, and ensembles and the option to take multiple levels of music history and music theory. Our five music studios and two performance theaters are available to all grades.