Hillcrest Elementary School

Welcome to the Hillcrest Music Program!  

There are 2 music teachers at Hillcrest:    

All students at Hillcrest are given the opportunity to participate in band.  The band begins in 4^th grade and continues into 5^th grade.  There is a beginning band and a concert band.  Both bands include approximately 60+ students.  Instruments that are offered include the flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, and percussion.  Each participant receives a small group lesson once a week, and is expected to attend a large ensemble rehearsal once a week.  The students perform in 2-3 concerts each year, as well as smaller venue performances.  If a student shows that they are excelling at their instrument, they are given the opportunity to perform a solo for the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Solo Festival in the spring.  

GENERAL MUSIC

All of the students at Hillcrest will receive music class 1 time a week for the entire school year.  General music students are introduced to many styles of music and dancing. The students perform on classroom instruments such as percussion and melodic instruments.   They continue to learn music theory and apply it to reading and composing, building on their knowledge from previous grade levels. Their learning is taught using a mixed approach of Dalcroze Eurythmics, Kodally, and the Orff approach to learning.  The focus of the general music program at Hillcrest is to instill a love for music and appreciate all it can offer to a person’s life.  There will be Google Classrooms for all general music classes.  

CHORUS

The students at Hillcrest are also given the opportunity to join the chorus.  There is a combined 4^th grade and 5^th grade chorus.  Every participant is expected to attend a large group rehearsal once a week.  The members of the chorus are expected to perform in 2-3 concerts every year.