Music
Music Overview
Elementary Music
Overview for elementary music 2020-21.
K-3 students all attend music 1x a week during our online schooling! They learn about age appropriate music concepts from rhythm, pitch, instrument families, and various music styles. Our wonderful general music teacher, Hannah Ogden, uses her instruments, hand clapping exercises, movement games, sol fedge and other musical activities in class. Students are also learning the basics of note reading to prepare them for joining band or orchestra in 4th grade.
4th Grade students will start this year learning the recorders online once a week! This will prepare them for instrumental music choices: Band (Clarinet, Flute, Trumpet or Trombone), Orchestra (violin, viola, cello) when we are able to resume in person learning. Instruments and supplies are provided for students who cannot afford to rent. Students will be broken into smaller groups based on their instrument preference when we can play together!
5th Grade students in 2020-2021 are encouraged to continue with their instrument of choice last year in Band or Orchestra once a week! Due to the circumstances, switching is not an option. This class is a continuation of 4th grade and it’s so exciting when students begin to understand their instruments better, note reading becomes more fluent and there will be a strong emphasis on personal goal setting, personal achievements and focusing on the love of music.
Middle School Music
Band and Orchestra during 2020-2021 online learning meets 2x a week and is a year-long elective for middle school students. Classes will focus on continuing students along their musical journey, continuing to foster a love of their instrument and music. Even though we can’t play “together” we can still grow our learning, our musicianship, and our community with our fellow musicians. A strong emphasis on personal goal setting, personal achievements, improvements on instrument and focusing on the love of music will be a part of the TOPS Music Curriculum.
Orchestra Teacher: Stephanie Hellekson
Band Teacher: Hannah Ogden
General Music Teacher: Hannah Ogden
We have a very strong retention rate and music program at TOPS – music is an important part of our daily lives and often a favorite part of the day. We strive to keep equity at the center of our instruction and all students have the opportunity to play an instrument in 4th and 5th grade – this is unique to TOPS, thanks to the support of the parents, teachers, and the administration. It is not required for students to take private lessons or participate in Youth Symphonies or JazzEd.
Ms. Ogden and Ms. Stephanie can provide lists of private teachers or extra music programs if interested.
Keep up to date on TOPS Music via the FOT (Friends of TOPS) Music Facebook Group. Class supplies are provided by the teacher of your students music class.