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Cast of The York School Play, Matilda
The York School 2024/25 Year in Review - Music At York: Junior School Curriculum Evolution
The goal of The York School’s IB Music program is to foster a lifelong appreciation for music in its many forms. Students from JK to Grade 12 embrace meaningful opportunities to develop their vocal and instrumental skills, explore the connections between music and identity, immerse themselves in cross-cultural learning, and perform for their family members and friends. We’re excited to share some of the unique-to-York learning experiences that our passionate faculty members led during the 2024-25 school year.
Fletcher Planert, who joined our Junior School faculty in September 2024, is advancing the Music curriculum for our Junior Kindergarten to Grade 5 students. Mr. Fletcher (as he’s known to the students) is using his knowledge of two well-respected approaches to music education – the Orff approach and the Kodály concept – to develop a curriculum that is child-centred, fun and engaging. It will also ensure that students develop foundational skills they can build on in Middle and Senior School Music classes.
The Orff approach, also known as Orff-Schulwerk or Music for Children, was developed by the German composer Carl Orff in the 1920s and 1930s. This method teaches concepts like rhythm, texture, harmony and melody through activities such as chanting, singing, marching and movement of all kinds. The Orff approach leverages children’s imaginations, playfulness and energy to create meaningful learning experiences.
Like the Orff approach, the Kodály concept is experience-based. Developed by Hungarian composer and musician Zoltán Kodály in the 1920s, this approach uses folk songs and games to introduce musical elements. Students also learn the hand signs for Sol-fa/solfège, the syllables (do, re, mi, fa, etc.) that represent the notes of the seven-note musical scale.
If you visit one of Mr. Fletcher’s classes, there’s a good chance the students will be playing a clapping game with a partner or singing a song while they pat their heads, tap their feet or march in a circle. You might also find them using wooden sticks, tambourines, xylophones and metallophones to create rhythms. It will be years before they realize that these fun activities are the building blocks of music literacy.
Click here to watch Junior School musicians in class.
Junior School Music Celebration
Students from JK to Grade 5 entertained proud family members and teachers during the Music Celebration on February 21. The young performers’ talents, love of singing and confidence were on full
display throughout the concert. Watch the highlight reel here.
First Note Night
Grade 6s and their parents began a new chapter in their musical journeys at York when they attended First Note Night in September. This evening of hands-on workshops introduced the students to best practices for assembling, holding and caring for the instruments they had recently selected. They also learned how to make beautiful sounds. Their music teachers, Mr. John Pittman and Mr. Cody MacFarlane, and four visiting instrument specialists, facilitated breakout sessions for flutes, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, trombones and baritones/tubas.
Grade 6s and their parents began a new chapter in their musical journeys at York when they attended First Note Night in September. This evening of hands-on workshops introduced the students to best practices for assembling, holding and caring for the instruments they had recently selected. They also learned how to make beautiful sounds. Their music teachers, Mr. John Pittman and Mr. Cody MacFarlane, and four visiting instrument specialists, facilitated breakout sessions for flutes, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, trombones and baritones/tubas.
