Music in the Elementary Schools 
Students in Spotsylvania
elementary schools have music once a week.
Music in Grade 6 in SCS
Music Appreciation - (Semester)
In this course students gain knowledge of music through the exploration of concepts and skills. Students analyze musical compositions; identify sound sources; demonstrate music reading skills; develop an understanding of the history of music; and identify career opportunities related to music. Through a variety of activities, the student will experience growth in musicianship, and expanded aesthetic awareness.
Chorus - Beginning Chorus is offered to students who wish to develop their knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of vocal music. It offers students the opportunity to improve their vocal technique and skills in musicianship, to develop an understanding and appreciation for vocal music, and to participate in concerts.
Beginning Band - Beginning Band develops students’ basic instrumental skills. These skills will provide a solid foundation upon which students will build as they advance to the intermediate level. Through classroom performance, students will learn the mechanics of proper sound production, will attain knowledge of rhythm and rhythm patterns, and will begin developing the social skills necessary to function successfully in a group situation.
Beginning Orchestra - This course will focus on students wishing to learn to play a string instrument (violin, viola, cello, and string bass) and who have no prior instruction on a string instrument. The course will introduce students to the fundamentals of music and basic string technique. Students must furnish the instruments, although limited school-owned instruments are available.
Music in Grade 7 in SCS
Hands-On Music - This is a semester class in which students gain knowledge of music through the exploration of concepts and practicing skills. Students analyze musical compositions; identify sound sources; demonstrate music reading skills; develop an understanding of the history of music; and identify career opportunities related to music. Through a variety of activities, the student will experience growth in musicianship and expanded aesthetic awareness.
Intermediate Band - Recommended Prerequisite - Beginning Band This course focuses on the refinement and extension of skills introduced at the beginning band level to provide a solid foundation upon which to build and continue to the next level. Students will refine the mechanics of proper sound production, acquire knowledge of more difficult rhythms and rhythm patterns, and further develop the social skills necessary to function successfully in a group situation. Students must supply their own instruments.
Basic Orchestra - This course is available to students who have completed Beginning Strings or who have had prior string experience on the violin, viola, cello, or string bass. The emphasis is on fundamentals of music and basic string technique. Students must furnish instruments, although limited school-owned instruments are available.
Intermediate Chorus - This course is offered to students who wish to expand their knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of vocal music. It offers students the opportunity to improve their vocal technique and skills in musicianship, to develop an understanding and appreciation for vocal music, and to participate in concerts. The selection of music for study and performance may be based upon a variety of styles and/or periods of music history and provides a variety of vocal experiences.
Music in Grade 8 in SCS
Hands-On Music - Students gain knowledge of music through the exploration of concepts and practicing skills. Students analyze musical compositions; identify sound sources; demonstrate music reading skills; develop an understanding of the history of music; and identify career opportunities related to music. Through a variety of activities, the student will experience growth in musicianship and expanded aesthetic awareness. The eighth grade course offers similar musical experiences to the seventh grade course with variation of instruments and/or repertoire studied.
Hands-On Music - Students gain knowledge of music through the exploration of concepts and practicing skills. Students analyze musical compositions; identify sound sources; demonstrate music reading skills; develop an understanding of the history of music; and identify career opportunities related to music. Through a variety of activities, the student will experience growth in musicianship and expanded aesthetic awareness. The eighth grade course offers similar musical experiences to the seventh grade course with variation of instruments and/or repertoire studied.
Band - Intermediate Band provides a foundation upon which the student will build while advancing to the high school level. Through classroom and public performance, the students will continue to refine the mechanics of proper sound production, acquire knowledge of more difficult rhythms and rhythm patterns, and further develop the social skills necessary to function successfully in a group situation. Students must supply their own instruments.
String Orchestra - This class is available to students who have had prior string experience on the violin, viola, cello, or string bass. The emphasis is on basic fundamentals of music and advanced string techniques. Students must furnish instruments, although limited school-owned instruments are available. Students perform several times throughout the year. Additional supplies such as rosin and method books may be required.
Chorus - Chorus focuses on the refinement of skills experienced from previous chorus experiences. More intensified study of diction, sound production, posture, phrasing, theory, sight singing, and rhythm is included. Students expand their vocal experiences, which provide a foundation for students interested in chorus at the high school level.
Band Class - This class offers individualized and small group instruction on any instrument, except percussion, at the student’s ability level. No concerts or events are required of students enrolled in this class.
Percussion Class - This class offers individualized and small group instruction on all traditional percussion instruments. Public performances are at the discretion of the director.
Concert Performance Band I/II, Symphonic Performance Band I/II, Symphonic Performance String Orchestra I/II, Performance Jazz Band I/II, and Concert Performance String Orchestra I/II - All students who elect these classes are required to play all music and participate in all concerts. Grades are awarded on the basis of class and concert performance. Students must furnish own instrument, with larger instruments (cello and bass) available for in-school use. Grades are awarded on the basis of class and concert performance.
Women’s Chorus/Men’s Chorus I/II - This is a performance-based class. Emphasis is placed on basic vocal techniques, ear training, and note learning. Choral balance, diction and phrasing are considered in all work. Choral students are introduced to various styles of chorus music from madrigals to rock. Movement in music is introduced at this level. Students are required to provide prescribed concert attire and are required to participate in school and public concerts.
Concert Chorus I/II, Select Women’s Chorus/Men’s Chorus I/II, and Vocal Ensemble I/II - These choruses are performance-based classes. The enrollment in this class is limited based on a balanced ensemble, and in part determined by the total choral enrollment in the high school. Choral students are introduced to various styles of chorus music from madrigals to rock. Movement in music is integrate into the curriculum at this level.
Music Theory/Appreciation – This course will expose students to the fundamentals of music theory and appreciation. This includes a study of intervals, scales, keys, triads, and chords and their working relation to one another. A survey of music history is incorporated so that a better understanding and increased reference knowledge may be applied to newly developed skills.
Advanced Placement Music - In this course Advanced Placement Music Theory, a student develops the ability to recognize, understand, and describe the basic materials and processes of music that are heard or presented in a score. The student studies fundamental aural, analytical, and compositional skills using both listening and written exercises. Building on this foundation, the course progresses to more creative tasks, such as the harmonization of a melody by selecting appropriate chords, composing a musical bass line to provide two-voice counterpoint, and the realization of figured-bass notation.