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MUSICIANSHIP CLASSES
Musicianship, in its broadest sense, is an awareness of the elements of music and their relationship to one another within a composition. The recognition of these inner relationships is vital to the understanding of any piece of music, and perhaps the most important part of the performer's interpretation. Musicianship training is essential to a comprehensive music education and critical to continued growth with instrumental and vocal study.
Weekly musicianship classes are a core component of instrument and voice study at Diller-Quaile. As students progress through the sequential and leveled curriculum, they develop music literacy and an understanding of the elements and structure of music. Levels are determined upon the age of the student and experience with musicianship training. Over time students participate in a variety of class formats, all of which include experiences in reading, writing, singing, playing, improvising and composing. Final decisions regarding appropriate class placement are at the discretion of the School.
Ages listed are as of September 1, 2009.
Composition
Students in this class gain experience with the fundamentals of active composition and, through this experience, deepen their understanding of music structure and notation. Class members regularly play and discuss each other's works. As the year progresses, students rehearse and refine a composition, which may be shared toward the end of the year at a special concert. Students are admitted to this class with the permission of the instructor.
| Mon | 5:15 - 6:00 p.m. | (#114) | 15 - 17 years | Level IV/V |
Dalcroze Eurhythmics
Through movement, singing and improvisation, students experience music concepts and begin to develop music literacy. When they walk, run, and gallop, they experience beat, meter, and rhythm. As the year proceeds, the children describe their rhythmic movement, identify note values, and begin to read and notate simple rhythms. When singing, they use their hands and arms to show the shape of a melody or a phrase. These movements help students feel and internalize the relationship of pitches while tuning the voice and ear to each other. Teachers participating in Diller-Quaile's Graduate Level Dalcroze courses observe the Thursday classes.
| Mon | 2:55 - 3:40 p.m. | (#56) | 3 & 4 years | Pre-reading |
| Mon | 2:55 - 3:40 p.m. | (#58) | 4 & 5 years | Early reading |
| Tue | 2:55 - 3:40 p.m. | (#57) | 3 & 4 years | Pre-reading |
| Tue | 3:45 - 4:30 p.m. | (#59) | 4 & 5 years | Early reading |
| Wed | 2:45 - 3:30 p.m. | (#60) | 4 & 5 years | Early reading |
| Thurs | 4:00 - 4:45 p.m. | (#61) | 6 & 7 years | Level I |
| Thurs | 5:00 - 5:45 p.m. | (#142) | 8 - 10 years | Level II/III |
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Ear Training and Analysis Through active listening, group singing, dictation, sight-singing with solfège, and score study, students build music literacy and an understanding of the structure of music. As students advance through the curriculum, they apply this knowledge to music literature at their level of study.
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Fundamentals
This class is designed for preteen and teenage students who need more experience with music reading. Students learn fundamental music concepts, such as rhythmic values, meter, scales, intervals, chords, and melodic reading using solfège. Through active listening, ear training, group singing, dictation, sight-singing, and score study, students build music literacy and musicianship skills as a foundation for instrument study.
| Mon | 6:00 - 6:45 p.m. | (#115) | Student ages vary |
Great Composers
These classes explore music of the Renaissance through the Modern Era. Students examine significant works of each period through listening and score reading, and come to place the composers, their works, and the musical styles and trends they represent in an historical context. Guest musicians perform smaller scale works and engage students in discussion of the pieces.
| Thurs | 5:15 - 6:00 p.m. | (#144) | 14 - 17 years | Level IV/V |
| Fri | 4:00 - 4:45 p.m. | (#152) | 10 - 12 years | Level III |
Improvisation
Students explore the elements of music as they create improvised solo and ensemble works. In the earliest years, singing and simple percussion instruments, as well as body sounds such as clapping and tapping, are used. Older students will also explore the piano keyboard and have an opportunity to improvise on their own instruments. Both standard and invented forms of notation are incorporated.
| Mon | 3:45 - 4:30 p.m. | (#110) | 5 & 6 years | Early reading |
| Tue | 5:15 - 6:00 p.m. | (#122) | 10 - 12 years | Level III |
| Thurs | 4:30 - 5:15 p.m. | (#141) | 7 - 9 years | Level I-II |
| Thurs | 5:15 - 6:00 p.m. | (#143) | 11 - 13 years | Level III |
Meet the Composer
Students are introduced to an array of great composers through classic recordings, live performances, biographical sketches, and maps. Students explore the elements of music through group singing, rhythmic movement, and musical games that incorporate music notation.
| Tue | 3:45 - 4:30 p.m. | (#66) | 5 & 6 years | Early reading |
Meet the Instrument
This class introduces students to the instruments of the orchestra. Guest musicians perform engaging classical selections, and students discuss with these musicians the timbre, range, qualities, and repertoire of the instruments. Students explore the elements of music through group singing, rhythmic movement, experiences with small percussion instruments, and ear training games that incorporate music notation.
| Mon | 3:45 - 4:30 p.m. | (#65) | 5 & 6 years | Early reading |
| Musicianship with Chorus Choral singing is a core component of musicianship training. In fact, composers such as Orlando di Lasso, J.S. Bach, Joseph Haydn, and Franz Schubert were all accomplished child choristers. Through the study of choral repertoire spanning various periods and styles, students develop music literacy and sight-singing skills using solfège. Diller-Quaile choruses age six and older also perform in the School's winter and spring concerts.
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Musicianship with Computers
This class is designed for students who enjoy and learn well with computers. The software used incorporates several levels of material that can be shaped to the individual's need. Students work with partners in our computer lab, with small piano keyboards that help to make concepts graphic and clear. Computer work is supplemented with musical games and experiences at the piano.
| Mon | 4:30 - 5:15 p.m. | (#113) | 9 - 11 years | Level II |