Davis Hill Music


At Davis Hill Elementary the Arts are an integral part of the curriculum. Students in grades 1-5 have music once a week for forty-five minutes and have enrichment classes to study music theory, piano keyboard and recorder. All students are given the opportunity to perform during the year in special concerts and plays. Fourth and fifth grade also take part in chorus, which performs two concerts a year.

In music class students learn to sing in unison, rounds and partner songs. In chorus students sing two part songs. Primary students feel the steady beat, learn simple rhythm patterns, practice in-tune singing, learn beginning musical notation, listen to and learn about musical instruments in an atmosphere of fun and learning. Older students expand their base of musical skills and additionally learn music history, and increase their singing and instrumental repertoire.

Children in music at Davis Hill are actively experiencing:

  • Playing instruments
  • Playing, hearing and writing rhythm patterns
  • Singing and hearing melodic direction
  • Knowing the difference between loud/soft; high/low; fast/slow; and short/long;
  • Children learn concepts of music through singing, playing games, playing instruments and movement.

    • Students learn to accompany their singing with instruments like xylophones and metallophones as well as non-pitched percussion such as drums, shakers, boomwhackers and bells. Students perform programs that integrate the arts into the study of history, science, geography, poetry and literature of all kinds.

    Music explores topics such as diversity, friendship, working together, and cooperation. Music brings spirit and joy to children. Skills in music help refine the child’s motor skills, as well as skills in listening conceptual thinking and creative reasoning.

    The newest research shows that engaging in music activates the entire brain. Music is one of the very few whole brain activities, engaging all four parts of the brain. A musician conducts numerous mental and physical activities at the same time- training the brain to organize and create multiple mental pathways. A profile of SAT program test takers reported students participating in music scored higher on the SATs than students with no arts participation. Scores for students in music performance classes were 57 points higher (verbal) and 41 points higher (math). It is no coincidence that a high percentage of band, choir, or orchestra members are top-ranking students.

    Making music instruction a part of every child's total development can only enhance their life skills and mental processing.