Music
The music program at MTS focuses on community singing and making music together.
We provide students the opportunity to discover the creative outlet of playing instruments, singing, and having fun. The curriculum is highly influenced by the Orff approach, which is a play-based teaching style, focused on a collaborative way of working with students that makes music-making accessible to everyone regardless of musical background or ability. Through the approach, students develop confidence in making music, improvising, and expression. The program also ties in classical elements and Kodaly – using hand signs and rhythm reading.
In the Lower School, most of the focus is on beat and rhythm, as well as solfege (do re me) - matching pitch and matching rhythm and playing the pentatonic scale (5 note scale). The program is play based with a lot of games and movement with a goal of teaching students to accompany themselves while playing. Students also listen to music and learn about a wide range of composers through history, as well as learning about different instruments. Students have the opportunity to play recorders, drums, and ukuleles and learn how to read the music staff. In the Middle School, students learn about the 12 chord blues and world music. All grades learn about improvisation and composition.
Event Performances
Students have the opportunity to perform for the community at many events throughout each school year.
Here, the kindergarten through second grade choruses sing at the Grandparents and Special Friends Tea.
Music Recitals
Students taking music lessons have the opportunity to audition to participate in music recitals held twice a year. Performances range from vocals, guitar, piano, flute, violin, harp, saxophone, ukulele, and banjo.
Opera a la Carte
Music teacher, Lilianna Parker, in collaboration with the SF Opera Guild, worked across the grades to prepare students to perform for an Opera a la Carte performance of Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert and Sullivan.