What Students Learn in Music Class
Students start by taking simple everyday ideas like call-and-response or echos and building on them to support the learning process for musical expression. Building on those skills, every grade practices sight-reading and solfege exercises in the group setting. While progressing, each child is introduced to a variety of instruments to play during their class time, including the recorder, the ukulele and the keyboard. In addition, OLPH offers additional instrumental classes for private practice in keyboard, guitar, string and voice ensembles. These classes encourage and create the opportunity for every student to perform in a group setting. The school choir and hand-bell group perform during school Masses as well as the Christmas and spring concerts. The advanced grades are also given access to a student account of Noteflight, which allows for experience in musical composition and solo musical performance. In classes, students learn about where music comes from within the Catholic Church and about music from around the world. Each grade is introduced to a musical instrument befitting of their capabilities to aid in musical engagement while discussing topics of music theory, history and genres.
I am thrilled to have every child involved with music at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School!
My name is Señor Medina. I grew up in the Santa Clarita Valley and began playing music in the late 1990s at Meadows Elementary School. Saxophone was my first instrument. I played music through junior high and high school, and I participated in marching band, jazz band, wind ensemble … everything that my schools had to offer. During high school, I also played trombone and euphonium.
Outside of school, I picked up the bass guitar at age 13, and shortly after that, I began playing with various rock bands throughout the Southwestern United States. Bass is the instrument I play to this day (I play upright bass, as well), and I find work playing for a wide range of groups that are in need of a bass player. I have played, and continue to play, for hip-hop artists, surf rock groups, country groups, jazz groups, choirs, musicals and hard rock groups.
My music has taken me on several tours throughout the country. Last year, I taught music for the Saugus Union School District, and I spent the summer as the music director for the Catskills West Theater Arts Camp in Beverly Hills.
I am looking forward to a wonderful experience at OLPH.
Go play some music!!!