St. Catherine of Siena Parish School
Music
Music Classes in the School Day
Music classes are tailored to the academic level of our students. Everyone is encouraged to sing and play instruments and to learn music from many settings around our country and the world.
Pre-K – 2nd Grade
Students from Pre-K through Grade 2 learn a variety of music genres, especially songs, rhymes, dances, and musical games. They perform regularly in class and at special events.
3rd-5th Grades
Students from Grade 3 through Grade 5 learn a variety of music styles, including songs, part-songs, rounds, and songs in foreign languages. They are taught how to read music and how to play instruments such as Orff xylophones, recorders, percussion, and instruments from around the world. They perform regularly in class and at special events.
6th-8th Grades
Students from Grade 6 through Grade 8 learn musical pieces and how to play instruments such as percussion, piano, instruments from around the world, and other instruments students share with the class. Students learn how to read music and how to appreciate classical music, gospel and Christian music, world music, and popular music.
School Masses
When each class prepares a School Mass, the children in that class are invited to sing in the choir or help cantor the Mass. School Masses are held once a month.
Christmas Program
Students prepare music for the Christmas program in their music class. Children are invited to play special music for the program. Please notify Dori Baunsgard if you would like to play for the Christmas program.
St. Catherine Children’s Choir & Youth Spirit Choir
The Children’s Choir and Youth Spirit Choir for St. Catherine School and Parish has rehearsals TBA in the school Music Room. Children in the school and others in the parish from 2nd grade through highschool are invited to participate.
Stacey Sunde is returning as youth choir director. The first practice is Saturday, September 15 at 3pm in the Victoria Hall music room. This choir is for students in second grade through high school. Contact Stacey at StaceySunde@yahoo.com with questions or to register your child.
The Children’s Choir and Youth Spirit Choir sing at the 5pm Mass on Saturdays once a month and sings a variety of music from classical to contemporary to gospel. They also sing on Christmas Eve at the 5pm Mass.
String Ensemble Program
St. Catherine School is pleased to invite young musicians to participate in our String Ensemble Program. It is open to students in grades 1-8 who are currently studying violin, cello, or viola. The program objectives include: learning how to play together in an ensemble, beginning or expanding music reading, developing musicality and performance skills and exploring chamber music repertoire.
Aaron Nation, a gifted teacher and cellist, directs the program. He formerly taught the orchestra program in the Shoreline School District and was the education outreach manager at the Tacoma Youth Symphony. The Ensemble will meet for weekly rehearsal in the music room in Victoria Hall on Fridays after school from 3:05-4:30pm. There will be several performances throughout the year.
The fee is $150 per semester. Fees cover teaching salary and music scores and are due in September and January.
For more information or questions, contact Constance Katsandres at ckatsandres@comcast.net or 206-985-1752.