Music - Mrs. Karnes

Mrs. Karnes's Website

  Students at Trinity are exposed to music through a variety of genres- singing, moving, playing both unpitched percussion and pitched Orff instruments, and listening to a variety of musical styles.     

Kindergarten students are given many opportunities to experience fast/slow, loud/soft and produce the steady beat through singing, moving, playing instruments, and listening to musical stories.    

First graders expand these experiences to rhythms, sound/silence, and playing the steady beat on a variety of instruments. Movement is expanded to spatial relationships, and creative movement is encouraged.  

Second graders begin reading simple rhythms, play rhythms on Orff  instruments,  and learn a variety of songs.  They are exposed to music from a textbook and work on reading verses and identifying musical road signs.  

Third graders continue to expand their understanding of musical concepts, play increasingly difficult patterns on instruments, learn about instruments of the orchestra and what creates the sounds of each instrument, and begin singing elemental harmony through partner songs and rounds.  

Fourth graders begin a two-year program of learning to play the recorder in music class.  They continue to expand their understanding of music by experiencing basic music-reading.  Their music listening skills are challenged by discovering form and style in music.   

Fifth graders continue honing their recorder skills while working toward playing at their own graduation celebration in May.  Their musical skills continue to develop through understanding the historical backgrounds of songs, more detailed music-reading exercises, playing multiple rhythmic patterns on Orff instruments, understanding the role of an accompanist through the playing of Orff instruments while classmates are singing. 

Trinity Fourth Grade Chorus and Fifth Grade Chorus -This is a unique opportunity for fourth and fifth grade students who are interested in improving their vocal skills and part singing abilities. This year the 4th Grade Chorus will meet on Thursday mornings at 7:45 a.m. and the 5th Grade chorus will meet on Fridays at 7:45 a.m.

    The overall goal of music at Trinity is to allow all children to experience music through a variety of methods, allowing for individual differences, yet progressing toward a uniform goal - a life-long love of music!