Music
Music Instruction
Our licensed and state certified music director, Mrs. Kristen Whirrett, teaches music classes twice weekly to kindergarten through eighth graders and also directs our school choirs and handbell choirs.
Kindergarteners learn the music alphabet by playing hymns on bells.
First/second graders learn to read rhythm notation
Third/fourth graders apply their learned music skills as they learn to play recorders.
Fifth/sixth graders learn about pitch matching, dynamics, blend, breathing, and proper vowel and consonant production singing as a choir during worship services.
Seventh/eighth graders learn about composers, compositions, and arrangements
All students learn about musical theatre and choreography for the biannual school musicals and talent shows.
All students study Lutheran hymnody and liturgy through music class instruction and by participating in daily chapel services.
Band
Students in grade four through eight may opt to take during-school band instruction through Ascension’s partnership with the Concordia Lutheran High School’s Music Department.
Students are introduced to all the instruments at the beginning of the fourth grade and may learn to play the flute, clarinet, oboe, alto and tenor saxophone, cornet, trumpet, trombone, French horn, baritone, sousaphone and percussion.
Students receive individual or small group instruction of their instrument of choice, learn to play other instruments in a concert setting, and perform in three city-wide concerts throughout the school year.
Strings and Piano
Students in grades two through eight may opt to take during-school strings instruction. Our strings instructor is Mr. William Klickman, who also teaches at Emmaus, Suburban Bethlehem, Holy Cross, St. Peters, and the local Suzuki organization. At the beginning of second grade, Mr. Klickman teaches a two week introductory course for second graders during which they learn to play violin. Then if parents choose, students may begin to receive twice weekly instruction in violin, viola, cello, or bass violin. Students perform in three city-wide concerts during the school year.
Mrs. Kristen Whirrett provides individual after-school piano instruction to students in first through eighth grade. Parents who opt for these lessons contact Mrs. Whirrett directly to schedule the lessons and make payment arrangements.