As part of our performing arts curriculum created in collaboration with The Juilliard School, students use the keyboard to understand the music concepts they learn about in class. Why the keyboard?
As part of our performing arts curriculum created in collaboration with The Juilliard School, students use the keyboard to understand the music concepts they learn about in class. Why the keyboard?
The keyboard is a fantastic entry point for music theory learning, helping students gain concrete and immediate comprehension of abstract concepts through hands-on experience. It also facilitates the exploration of harmony and helps students learn how to read notation. With the keyboard, we can also tailor activities for all ages and make the curriculum accessible to children at every level of musical talent.
Our students are elated about their keyboards! Since school began in August, we’ve been using them to gain deeper understanding of Blue Monk by Thelonious Monk, one of the 12 works that form our core music repertoire. In Reception, children are learning how to find the notes. Year 3 students are playing the blues scale and also improvising performances. In Year 7, students are learning how to play the 12 Bar Blues and in Year 8, students are exploring intervals.
In just five weeks, the keyboard is inspiring our students to create and learn music in new and exciting ways.
By Rachel White-Hunt, Director of Music
