Music

"My goal is to make sure every student is musically literate. I want them to really love music." — Swain Music Teacher

Vocal and instrumental music

Music is an extremely important part of a Swain education. Preschool students have the opportunity to experience music through song, rhythm, movement, and listening. Starting in kindergarten, students visit the music specialist for singing, playing Orff instruments (beautiful marimba-like instruments) and experiencing games in order to learn musical concepts.

Children in the lower elementary grades are exposed to music twice a week. An eclectic variety of musical experiences are provided, including the opportunity for all students to play notes, phrases, and improvise accompaniments on the Orff instruments.

Our third – fifth graders all sing in a treble chorus and learn music from around the world.

Middle school is multi-cultural: learning to play recorders, classical guitar, and African drumming. Vocal and instrumental ensembles are formed from interested students. Listen to them perform!

Instrumental music

Instrumental music lessons are offered beginning in third grade, with weekly group lessons for brass, woodwinds and percussion. Fourth graders are invited to participate in the Swain School Band with the older students. A Jazz Band is formed from interested students, and all of these groups perform at school functions throughout the year.

Interested students are also encouraged to accompany the vocalists on guitar, bass, and percussion.