Music

Music Mission Statement

The mission of the music program at the Hill Country Montessori School is to provide each student opportunities to develop personal skills in singing, reading and composition, playing instruments, knowledge of composers from different countries and cultures, and to instill a lifelong joy of making and listening to music.

Philosophy of Music

Music is a passion: It is our desire that each student gains a passion to develop their own musical skills of singing, playing instruments, moving/dancing, composing, listening, and performing to their highest potential. These skills will enhance their entire lives and give them creative ways to express disappointment, anger, frustration, joy, love, and other wholesome and honest emotions.

Music is a process: Musical skills are not perfected in a day. However, a daily, well-planned program of rehearsal that includes both failures and successes (of both teacher and student) will build self-discipline and self-confidence.

Music is fun: Learning music and about music should never be "ho-hum". It should excite, motivate and stimulate each student to participate without inhibitions. This kind of environment galvanizes an "I want to do music" attitude. Or, as Maria Montessori states, "Help me to do it myself".

Vision

It is the vision of the Hill Country Montessori School Music Program to offer a variety of opportunities for students to develop their musical skills both in the classroom and in after-school activities.

HCMS maintains an after-school performance choir called Montessori Starshine. Private lessons for piano, voice, guitar, and strings are also available.

As the choir develops, there will be opportunity for elementary students to participate in a state choir specifically for private schools. They will: Learn music in after-school choir that will be sung in the state choir, audition with the music teacher and staff on campus, and ultimately travel to Dallas to sing with the All-State Elementary Choir.

The Music Memory Program (for students in third through sixth grades) is another after-school activity allowing students to concentrate and learn sixteen new pieces of classical music on an annual basis. They learn historical information about the composer and are able to identify the music by title, movement, and sound, as well as being able to spell the information correctly. An annual competition through PSIA offers students the privilege to compete with other local, private schools who have studied the same information. The ultimate goal is for students to win at the local level and advance to compete at the state level, while having fun developing their musical and aural skills.