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Music at Wilmington Montessori School

Music is an innate gift each of us is given at birth. A developmentally appropriate musical environment nurtures this gift to its fullest potential. Music lessons consist of activities that playfully engage the children and encourage individual responses. Activities include pitch (vocal), movement and instrumental exploration. Songs, rhymes and finger plays nurture the development of steady beat. Pitch development is cultivated through echo songs, call-and-response songs and solo singing opportunities.

The music room at Wilmington Montessori School provides a wonderful environment for music education. The soundproof room is filled with all of the "tools" needed for students to participate in and create music. Xylophones, metallophones, glockenspiels, congas, and bongos greet the students as they enter the room, while many various and interesting percussion instruments line the shelves and cabinets.

Preschool and Elementary classrooms have music once a week. Each lesson incorporates elements from the Orff, Kodaly, and Dalcroze philosophies. Lessons engage students in activities that explore steady beat, rhythm, harmony, and many expressive qualities of music through speaking, singing, moving, creating, notating, listening, and playing. To an observer, all of this serious music exploration just looks like a lot of fun!

After school programs in piano and steel drums allow students to further develop musical interests.

Preschool and Kindergarten children are introduced to the art of performance through the presentation of musical programs for their fellow students and families.

In the Elementary program, students listen to various musical pieces, learn the stories of composers, study musical periods and styles, and experience musical instruments first-hands. They match pitches and rhythms, recognize beats and meters and collaborate on song writing.