Rock Band
Photo by Becky LaMont, May 2016
All Fifth and Sixth Grade students participate in Rock Bands as part of their elementary music curriculum. Our rock bands are comprised of electric guitars, bass guitars, keyboards, vocals, and cajon drums. Students are encouraged to try out all of the instruments in the rock band, but ultimately make their own decision on what instrument to play for each song. Each of our six classes perform together as a band to select their own set lists to perform at the spring Rock Band concert.
Students use music notated in a system called Figurenotes, as well as traditional guitar chords as studied in the acoustic guitar curriculum. The modified Figurenotes system allows students of all abilities to make music quickly and successfully. Traditional chord notation and chord patterns allow students of more advanced abilities to continue to develop lifelong playing technique. This allows us to quickly learn new songs and develop musical skills.