About The Program

  • Many opportunities exist for students to experience music at Henry Elementary School.  Our program is designed in accordance with the Visual and Performing Arts Content Standards for California Public Schools.  All students receive weekly music lessons that allow every student the opportunity to discover their musical gifts and experience the joy of making music.  To accomplish this, students take part in a variety of musical activities throughout the year, including singing, playing classroom instruments, composing, listening and dance/movement.    

    Students learn the basics of music literacy, and develop an understanding of elements of music as they build their repertoire of songs from the United States and around the world.  Songs, literature, and movement are used to maximize language, literacy, and learning throughout the school and across the curriculum.  

    For those students who are in 3rd grade classes, they will have the opportunity to play the soprano recorder and learn to read rhythmic patterns using eighth notes, quarter notes, dotted quarter notes, half notes, whole notes, and rests.  Students work together towards an annual performance goal where they can demonstrate their acquired skills as growing young musicians.

  • Instruments are provided to all 4th and 5th grade students once the liability form is submitted.  All 4th and 5th grade students have the unique opportunity to learn either band or string instruments.  Instruments and weekly lessons are available for the violin, cello, flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, bass clarinet, trumpet, trombone, or percussion. All 4th and 5th grade students participate in weekly ensemble practice and weekly lessons on their individual instrument.  The student is responsible for practicing at home and bringing the instrument to school on music days.  

    Henry augmented music offerings in 2020 to include providing selected fourth and fifth grade students with ukuleles and weekly ukulele lessons.

    The HD-9 Drumline Ensemble, is a unique opportunity for 4th and 5th grade students that want to take their percussion skills to the next level.  

    In the spring, students are invited to culminating performances for family and friends.  Students are also invited to participate in district-wide music events and concerts.  

  • Music can bring us together, even when we are apart.  In this unusual time, we included links designed to offer families unique musical enrichment experiences. 

Instrument Demonstrations

Student Music Showcase