Arts

Music

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Music at SGS

Music at Seattle Girls’ School is all about discovery, confidence, and connection. From the first chord on a ukulele to composing original songs on guitar, students are encouraged to take creative risks and grow through joyful learning. Each year builds on the last, giving students the tools to listen closely, play collaboratively, and express themselves with purpose.

In 5th grade, students start with the ukulele—learning chords, reading tablature, composing original melodies, and performing for their community. In 6th grade, they pick up the guitar and dive into strumming, fingerpicking, songwriting, and ensemble work. Across every stage, students reflect on their progress, build musical vocabulary, and share their growth through performances that celebrate creativity and confidence.


  

    • Glee club performing at Music Night.

5th Grade Music Overview

List of 4 items.

  • Intro to Ukulele & Chords (Fall Term)

    ✓ Build our music community.
    ✓ Understand the history of the ukulele.
    ✓ Recognize and identify anatomy of the ukulele.
    ✓ Learn simple chords and rehearsal routines such as warm ups, ensemble
    repertoire, and independent practice.
    ✓ Performance Opportunity #1: 5th Grade Music Night

  • Music Literacy (Fall Term)

    ✓ Reflect on musical performances and setting music performance goals.
    ✓ Learn how to use practice records.
    ✓ Identify and read tablature.
    ✓ Learn how to tune the ukulele.
    ✓ Develop finger dexterity to play short melodies.

  • Composing Music (Winter Term)

    ✓ Use practice records to set music performance goals.
    ✓ Rehearse, adjust, and refine music through evaluation, reflection, and
    problem-solving.
    ✓ Compose original works.
    ✓ Present original music and/or performance for others.
    ✓ Performance Opportunity #2: Superhero Tune for 5th Grade
    Culmination

  • Performance and Reflecting on Music (Spring Term)

    ✓ Set music tools to set performance goals.
    ✓ Reflect on year-long music growth.
    ✓ Select, practice, and perform the ukulele in small groups/duets.
    ✓ Performance Opportunity #3: Horizon House Performance
    ✓ Performance Opportunity #4: 5th Grade Culmination

6th Grade Music Overview

List of 4 items.

  • Intro to Guitar (Fall Term)

    ✓ Contribute to building a music community.
    ✓ Understand the history of the guitar.
    ✓ Recognize & Identify anatomy of the guitar and their uses.
    ✓ Develop finger dexterity to play beginner level chords.
    ✓ Practice engaging in rehearsal routines such as warm ups, ensemble
    repertoire, and independent practice.

  • Chords and Music Symbols (Fall Term)

    ✓ Understand music notation, symbols and expressive elements.
    ✓ Practice a variety of strumming patterns and techniques.
    ✓ Develop finger dexterity to play intermediate chords.
    ✓ Performance Opportunity #1: Share a song

  • Fingerpicking and Composing (Winter Term)

    ✓ Develop finger dexterity in a variety of fingerpicking styles.
    ✓ Play short riffs on the guitar.
    ✓ Play simple melodies using TAB.
    ✓ Compose, write, and record musical ideas.
    ✓ Performance Opportunity #2: Song Creation Celebration.

  • Ensemble Building for Performance (Spring Term)

    ✓ Rehearse, adjust, and refine music through evaluation, reflection, and
    problem-solving.
    ✓ Present rehearsed music(s) and/or performance for others.
    ✓ Set music performance goals.
    ✓ Reflect on musical performances for growth.
    ✓ Performance Opportunity #3: 6th Grade Guitar Performance.

Seattle Girls' School

Located in the Central District, Seattle Girls' School is an independent school for girls and gender nonconforming students in grades 5-8. Our mission is to inspire and develop courageous leaders who think independently, work collaboratively, learn joyfully, and champion change.

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