Music Arts

Oak Hill Academy Music Program 

Select this link for examples of our music ensembles!

The Music Program aims to cultivate a lifelong love for music through active and engaging experiences that develop musicianship skills, rhythmic competency, and aural skills, alongside a deep understanding of music theory. Above all, we inspire a passion for music!

Our curriculum is based on a mix of the Orff-Schulwerk and Kodály processes, both of which emphasize learning through active participation. Orff-Schulwerk, named after Carl Orff, a 20th-century Bavarian educator and composer, encourages students to explore music through play, movement, and creativity. Orff’s method involves playing pitched percussion instruments, such as miniature xylophones and metallophones, modeled after Indonesian Gamelan orchestras. These instruments are pitched percussion and we call them barred instruments because each bar is a pitch of the scale. Students also engage with unpitched percussion instruments, singing, and dance to nurture their musical development in a hands-on way.

In the Kodály approach, students develop strong aural skills and rhythmic competency through singing, movement, and rhythmic speech, often using folk music and solfege as key tools. This method encourages a deep internalization of musical concepts through vocal work and ear training, allowing students to connect with music on a personal level. 

Additionally, students develop a solid foundation in music theory, exploring key concepts such as dynamics, musical vocabulary, and the use of borduns. These elements help students understand the structure and expression of music, enriching their ability to create, perform, and analyze music with greater depth and precision.

For younger students, this blend of Orff and Kodály encourages active music-making through singing, rhythmic speech (poetry and storytelling), and playing instruments. As students progress to higher grades, they engage in more in-depth projects, including composing for Orff instruments, improvising, and exploring music from different cultures, genres, and styles. This broadens their understanding of music beyond performance, allowing them to study and appreciate diverse musical traditions—such as classical, jazz, opera, and contemporary music—while encouraging them to think critically about how music has evolved and continues to do so. These experiences enrich their musical abilities and cultivate a deeper appreciation for the global and historical contexts of music.

Additionally, our curriculum includes a listening component, where students explore recorded music from various genres, styles, world cultures, and classical compositions from past and contemporary greats. These experiences help students make cross-disciplinary connections, enhancing their understanding of music in relation to other subjects.

Students in grades K-4 receive weekly music instruction throughout the school year, while students in grades 5-8 participate once a week for one semester. Performance ensembles, such as the Oak Hill Chorus and the Oak Hill Players, offer additional opportunities for students to develop performance skills, collaborative learning skills,  and leadership skills and represent the school at various events throughout the school year. These ensembles, open to grades 3-8, allow students with varying levels of experience to participate and grow musically. Even younger students in grades 1 and 2 can join Music Exploration, preparing them for future participation in chorus and other musical opportunities. Each club is a year-long commitment.

In our music classroom, every child finds their place, regardless of prior experience or ability. With a joyful, collaborative, and creative atmosphere, students experience the fulfillment of making music together.