Welcome to our music education program at Jefferson Elementary!

Music education is an integral part of children’s education. It provides an avenue for children to express themselves and their emotions in a way that only music can. Music enforces a higher level of thinking and reasoning that improves children’s capacity to learn and comprehend. Because of having music education, children will lead better-rounded lives.

Music Program Overview
At Jefferson Elementary, children in grades 1-5 have music class for 30 minutes twice a week. At the kindergarten level, they have music once a week. Children learn the language of music through the playing of Orff instruments, recorders (beginning in 3rd grade), active movement, and singing songs using proper vocal techniques. One can walk into any of the music rooms at Jefferson and see children engaged in the wonder of music-making. We, as a Schalmont music staff, believe it is vital at this level that children are actively participating in the art of music.

Throughout the school year, there are various opportunities for the children to perform within their own building and in the community.

Each grade level starting with the Kindergarteners have a performance either in the month of November or December.

Performance Groups
Performing groups include: the 4th Grade Chorus, 5th Grade Chorus, 4th and 5th Grade Camerata Singers, and 5th Grade Band. These groups perform more than once each year, with a second performance held sometime in the spring. Each year the 5th Grade Chorus works on a musical held in February.

4th Grade Chorus: This chorus is usually made up of about 90- 100 singers all ready to sing their hearts out with the love of music. This group meets once a week during the school day. The members have a lot of fun and enjoy performing for their family and friends.

5th Grade Chorus: This chorus is also made up of about 90 – 100 singers and meets once a week during the school day. This group also works on a musical held in February. Past musical included: Treasure Island, Star Search, The Granny Awards, The Mikado, and may others.

4th & 5th Grade Camerata: This is a select, auditioned group made up of about 45 fourth- and fifth-graders who are interested in singing over and above their chorus experience. They meet before and after school depending upon their performance schedule. They perform in the community, such as the Albany River Rats performance pictured at right, as well as at the school.

5th Grade Band: This group is made up of 5th graders who are interested in beginning an instrument. All instrumentalists begin with lessons in the fall and then they begin to meet as a band in the late fall. Band meets once a week during the school day. This band is usually made up of about 85 instrumentalists ready to make their mark with their musical instrument!

Be on the lookout for changing pictures of the many musical happenings at Jefferson Elementary. To read about the faculty who teach in this building, please click on the Faculty/Staff link.