Music
The Lower School Music program of Wayne Country Day School uses the Orff-Schulwerk approach in teaching the students the elements of music. The goal of Orff-Schulwerk is to create a magical, joyful, and game-like atmosphere in which a student can learn to read, write, perform, analyze, and create music. Music activities are highly sequential, skill related, and focus primarily on the five elements of music: Rhythm, melody, harmony, timbre, and form. Unlike most methods, the Orff-Schulwerk approach is bound by no textbook, or repertoire of teaching material. It draws from folk music, poetry and original melodies. The singing and playing of pitched and un-pitched percussion instruments along with creative movement is used to provide verbal, musical and corporeal expression. With Orff-Schulwerk, music is used a s a vehicle in developing self-awareness, self-involvement, discipline, confidence, creativity, and sensitivity.