It's a Sunny Day at RWS!

Rohan Woods Music could also be described as “exploring sounds and movement with singing and playing!”  In our first weeks we will be sounding out names, practicing rhythms and taking our first dance steps together.  From wee-little ones to our higher school students this “exploration” will include the chance to improvise and be creative with individual expressions of sound and movement.
 

Music will also include the experience of ensemble singing and playing.  This provides an opportunity to listen to others while providing an integral part of an overall sound.  Whether we are singing a performance piece for Grandparents Day or working on an instrumental “Orffestra” piece, using Orff instruments like the xylophone and metallophone, we will be joining our skills to provide an overall sound experience.

Listening and understanding are critical elements of the music experience.  Does the sound of the timpani represent thunder in the Grand Canyon Suite?  Can we emulate the sound of rain using lummi sticks on the carpet floor?  Can we learn the steps of a major scale by singing “do-re-mi?”  Sometimes the understanding slips in while we are playing musical baseball (a music trivia game) or when we are using “rounds” or “canons” to understand the concept of harmony.

From Third grade through Sixth grade, students begin learning the recorder, a flute-like instrument, which helps them understand and develop basic note-reading skills.  By the time they reach Sixth grade most students will have written their own melody line, which the class will perform as an ensemble!

Music at Rohan Woods truly has something for everyone to experience!  The fruits of our efforts can be seen throughout the year in our Holiday program and our Spring Program as well as special events like Grandparents Day.

Paul Deming
Music Specialist


 

  
 
Meet Paul Deming, Music Specialist
 

Paul Deming has been making music at Rohan Woods since 2001. With more than 20 years in music education, Paul brings music performance, theory, Orff instruments, recorder, African drums, guitar, and singing to each classroom at Rohan Woods School. In addition, Paul produces and directs Rohan Woods' musical performances including the Winter and Spring Programs and the music for Grandparents' Day. In his spare time, Paul teaches guitar lessons as well as karate and also plays lead guitar for the Ralph Butler Band. Paul holds a degree in Music Education and is Orff Certified (Level 1). 

E-Mail Music Specialist Paul Deming

  
 
Music Curriculum
 

The scope of the music program gives attention to each child’s individual stage of development. Signing is extremely basic in a child’s connection to music and for that reason it is a major emphasis in the music program. All other musical experiences, whether listening, moving, creating, researching, dancing, or playing have singing at their core.

Music instruments are introduced at the Junior Kindergarten level and are used through Sixth Grade with recorders and drums to create sound experiments and accompany singing.

Exploring simple rhythmic patterns leads to learning the dynamics of music. Listening and identifying different classical and contemporary composers enables the student to look at all elements of music.

Performance plays an important part of the music program. Students perform often; for each other, for parents, and for friends of the school. Our major performances include the Holiday Musical, Grandparents’ Day, and the Spring Program.

  
 
 
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