Music Therapy
Lower School students participate in Music Therapy twice per week; Upper School students participate once per week. Weekly activities include singing, movement, instrument playing, listening, and creating. These five modalities follow the Orff Schulwerk model for Music Education. Every student is encouraged to be a part of the group music-making by communicating and problem solving. Social skills and relationship building are an intrinsic part of the process. Emphasis is on the process more than the product.Resources for all ages include Orff materials and music therapy applications accumulated through Orff training and other continuing education courses. Activate! Music Movement and More—The music Magazine for Grades K-6 is used with all classes and includes a “Calendar Connection” for families to further explore music at home. Upper School classes begin the school year with Group Piano Course; Alfred’s Basic Piano Library and continue to supplement with Music Theory and History Workbook (Standard of Excellence Book 1).Music and Drama allow expression of emotions while engaging the entire sensory-motor system. Students who participate in drama or music score an average of 40-60 points higher on SAT verbal and 15-40 points higher on SAT math. Vulnerable students demonstrate the greatest benefit.
Web sites for further information include:
The American Orff Schulwerk Association: www.aosa.org
The American Music Therapy Association: www.musictherapy.org
