music literacy & the pals curriculum

PALS believes that the ability not only to read music but to sight-sing enables children to learn a richer repertoire and to develop their interpretive skills. This deepens them as musicians, and enriches their enjoyment of music throughout their lives.

Prep Ensemble
1st & 2nd graders, ages 6-8. Foundations of Music Literacy I: Sight-singing, pentatonic melodies on and away from the staff; half notes, quarter notes, eighth notes and rests. Level-appropriate two-part repertoire from different traditions and in different languages, with emphasis on tone production and healthy vocal technique. Minimum of four performances a year. Expected time in ensemble: 1-2 seasons. Meets one hour a week.

Circle Ensemble
2nd and 3rd graders, ages 7-9. Foundations of Music Literacy II: sight-singing, diatonic major and natural minor melodies. Whole notes, dotted rhythms, simple syncopations, sixteenth notes as applied to sight-singing. Level-appropriate two-part repertoire from different traditions and in different languages, with emphasis on tone production and healthy vocal technique. Minimum of four performances a year. Expected length in ensemble: 1-2 seasons. Prerequisite: Completion of Prep Ensemble or the equivalent. Meets one and a half hours a week.

Gershwin Ensemble
3rd - 5th graders, ages 8-11. Foundations of Music Literacy III: sight-singing, diatonic major and minor scales; modal melodies and beginning composition. Level-appropriate two- and three-part repertoire from different traditions and in different languages, with emphasis on tone production and healthy vocal technique. Preparation to perform in professional settings.
Prerequisite: Completion of Circle ensemble or the equivalent. Meets two hours a week, in two one-hour sessions.

Copland & Bernstein Ensembles
5th-9th graders, ages 10-16. Focus on repertoire appropriate for professional settings, drawing from a broad variety of traditions, especially classical and world music. Training in dance and drama throughout the year. Minimum of 6 performances a year both in and out-of-state, as well as collaborations with professional ensembles. Meets twice a week for two hours each time, with an additional 1.5-hour rehearsal, approximately once a month.