Music

Teacher Mrs. Linda Galeno

Music

Principles for "best practice" are exemplified by the integration of the music program into other curricular areas. Planning and participating in liturgies is a major asset for religious development at all grade levels. Emphasis on writing lyrics and manuscript for measured melodies incorporates language arts and math.

The Music program at St. Catherine Laboure is a very important addition throughout the curriculum. The various units of learning and musical sections vary from our musical enhancement during monthly liturgies to performing in stage productions.

Throughout the month of September we concentrate on singing. The younger grades will participate in fun, comical and attractive short songs to enhance their love of singing. The middle grades are learning or developing their abilities in partner singing and following musical score by singing medleys of productions they are familiar with. If a field trip to an opera is scheduled the junior high will study any combinations of operas, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Joseph and the Amazing Colored Dream Coat, or Ms. Saigon.

The music program is a vital part of the liturgies in September. Our Student Council plans and participates in our opening Mass for the new school year. During September we will also learn the songs for that mass and new responses for the year to come. We also incorporate music in our Student Council Inauguration.

During the month of October our middle grades will have a unit in Orchestra, Instruments and Composers. I have them work in groups and they will study their instruments along with a visual drawing of their unit. They then present them to the class.

The months of November and December are spent rehearsing for our Christmas Program. Each class has at least 3 numbers to sing throughout the show and the 8th grade presents the program. Our 7th graders are our stage crew. We practice choreography, music and timing during their music classes for these 6 weeks. Before we leave for break they will watch the show which we have professionally recorded. Also in November we have our Thanksgiving prayer service and in December are our four Advent prayer services, all of which include music. Our Immaculate Conception Mass is presented by either 4th or 5th grades. Whenever we have a Liturgy or Prayer Service, the class responsible will be the choir that sing the Mass.

St Catherine also has a choir made up of students from grades 4 through 8. Our choir not have tryouts; any students who may want to participate may join. We have practices twice a week at the beginning of lunch. We perform in a Christmas concert, at Breakfast with Santa, Catholic Schools Sunday Mass, Talent Show, and various Sacraments throughout the year. We have approximately 60 members in our choir.

Our second semester music classes open with rehearsals for Catholic Schools Sunday Mass. Each class sings a separate part of the liturgy. Our choir performs during the Communion meditation. During the liturgy each class will move silently to the choir area to lead their section of the liturgy. it is done quietly and without any delay to the mass.

In our class during 3rd quarter we have a unit called "our plays to the classic." The students are given a classical piece to examine and listen to over and over. Once they feel they really know the piece they write a play to go with it. An example of this would be "Peter and the Wolf."

Our fourth quarter is very busy at S.C.L. We begin preparing for First Communion and move right into May Crowning. Our student choir is also involved with our May liturgies, talent show, both Communion and Graduation dinners, Prayer Service, Closing Liturgy and finally, Graduation.

The Music Program at St. Catherine Labour is all-inclusive. It is involved in almost every facet of our school's daily events. Our program adds an understanding and enthusiasm for singing, performing, creativity and self-confidence that is evident throughout our school student body.