Frequently Asked Questions…

HOW IS MUSIC STUDIED AT WILLOW BROOK?  All students visit the music room and receive music instruction for 40 minutes twice each week.  We work hard to build an envornment that feels safe for students to try new things, and explore new skills.  One way we do this is by expecting all students to follow two classroom rules:
RULES:
1) Don’t hurt anyone. (This includes people’s feelings.)
2) Do what you are asked to do.
By following these rules, we are able to create a place where students know others will not laugh at them and that we all work together to help everyone celebrate what they are able to do.

WHY STUDY MUSIC?   The study of music integrates many skills that are addressed in other curriculum areas such as reading, language, science, social studies and math.  Research has shown that students’ overall academic achievement improves when it is combined with a comprehensive music education. In addition to that - Music is worthy of study for its own sake! The intrinsic and extrinsic rewards are endless!

WHAT DO THE STUDENTS LEARN IN MUSIC?  The music curriculum is aligned with the Show-Me Standards and State Grade-Level-Expectations.  Components include:
Elements of Music: Rhythm, Melody, Harmony, Tone Color, Expressive Qualities;
Performance Skills: including music reading, writing,for singing and classroom instruments;
History and Culture: uncovering the social aspects of the music reflecting the time, place and people who created it; 
Artistic Perceptions: learning how to listen carefully to music, to critique and learn to describe music in terms of musical elements.

WHAT DO STUDENTS DO IN CLASS?  •Listen   •Sing   •Read   •Write    •Experiement   •Play instruments   •Move   •Improvise   •Practice   •Compose   •Play   Also, students use the computer to explore music in new and innovative ways. Programs include Garage Band®, Itunes®, and a variety of music education websites.

WHAT INSTRUMENTS DO THEY PLAY?  Students play classroom percussion instruments such as rhythm sticks, claves, maracas, xylophones and other Orff instruments; song flutes (Grades 1-2) and recorders (Grades 3-5). There is also an annual piano unit where all students develop skills using electronic keyboards.

WHAT ABOUT BAND AND ORCHESTRAL INSTRUMENTS? Third graders do an in-depth exploration of instrument families prior to their symphony field trip. In terms of PLAYING these instruments - Orchestral instrument instruction is offered three days per week to 5th grade students.  Band instruments begin in 6th grade. For more information, call Dennis McFarland at Pattonville High School: 213-8026. Willow Brook's Mrs. Pasley sponsors an after-school orchestra club where Pattonville High School students come back to Willow Brook and provide tutoring experiences for our beginning strings. For more information click here.

DO YOU HAVE A CHOIR?  Yes. Willow Brook Singers is a non auditioned choir open to students in 4th and 5th grade.  Our practices begin in September on Wednesday mornings 7:45am – and conclude in March. There are approximately 5 evening performances and 2 weekend performances.  Specific dates are available upon request. For more information click here.

IN-SCHOOL and EVENING PERFORMANCES:  Although not the primary focus of music instruction, performances are an important part – and a natural outgrowth of study in music class.  3rd grade students are featured during our Veterans Day assembly in November; *4th grade students perform in the fall; *Kindergarten students prepare for a performance in the Spring; 5th graders perform at the DARE graduation assembly and as a part of *5th Grade Recognition Night in May.  Performances marked with a * are also repeated in the evening for an audience of parents and guests.

DO YOU KNOW ANY PIANO TEACHERS NEARBY?  I have a list although the current status of each studio changes frequently, so call each teacher for details. Not an endorsement or recommendation, the list is a resource for your further investigation.

WHAT ABOUT FIELD TRIPS?  Three cultural experiences are planned annually.  Often students in 3rd grade attend a performance of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra at Powell Hall.  Students in 4th grade attend a live theatre performance, and students in 5th grade attend a performance of a local ballet company.

WHAT ABOUT THE PROGRESS REPORTS OR REPORT CARDS?  Student progressis is reported three times each year in 3 areas: 1) demonstrated knowledge about music, 2) performance of music, and 3) personal responsibility shown during music.  Performance Levels refer to progress of students toward meeting expectations for student performance at that grade level.  “Proficient” is the target for each grade level.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER SPECIAL MUSIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS AT WILLOW BROOK?
• Guest speakers are engaged whenever possible to allow for first-hand experiences.
• Musical Theatre is studied at each grade level. Although selections vary from year to year, each one is selected to underscore the relationships between music, singing, dancing and the story to be communicated. Selections include: "Cinderella" "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," "Mary Poppins," "Meet me in St. Louis," "King and I," "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers."
• Oratorios and/or Opera excerpts are also studied in 4th and 5th grade.
• A group of core listening experiences that all Pattonville Students will engage in is being compiled. This collection which will include well-known music from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Twentieth-Century musical time periods in addition to popular styles such as pop, and jazz.
• Other enrichment opportunities are organized as Mrs. Pasley's schedule will allow. These include: after school song flute and recorder instruction, specialized voice classes, computer composition classes and family field trip opportunities.

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP MY CHILD AT HOME?  Sing! In the car, in the shower… anywhere.  Often times, children get the idea that music is only for a very few to do and it is something that most people just watch happen. Encourage their exploration and discovery. Think about learning an instrument together. Play with household items (boxes, cans, sticks, plastic bottles) and find the hidden music within.  Listen to music together!  Old or new… connect the music with its time and place.  Ask questions about what was heard both in the words or instruments.  Go to concerts together.  Enjoy music with your child – and they will succeed.