Music

  Curriculum

At St. Hugo of the Hills, we support development of the total individual through exploration of the creative right side of the brain, thereby enriching the entire person. Research has proven that students who study music score higher on standardized tests, are more creative and adept at problem solving, and are more comfortable and able in public speaking and performing situations. In addition, it is our goal to foster a life-long appreciation of music in all forms to create young people who are able to communicate intelligently on the subject throughout their lives.

Kindergarten Readiness, Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd Grade Vocal Music prepare for their annual Christmas Pageant in December.  In addition to performing, students have classroom music- sing, dance, read & notate music, listen, compose, evaluate and make connections with music through history and culture.

3rd Grade Music students are introduced to the instrumental department- recorders. All 3rd-grade students will receive a method book and one Kingsley Kolors recorder. Students will prepare several selections from Ed Sueta’s Be A Recorder Star method book along with simple tunes from Music Express Magazine. 3rd Grade performs at the annual spring open house in March.

4th and 5th Grade emphasize Music Appreciation and Vocal Music, learning about prominent composers, musical form and some elements of music theory.  Students will perform songs from Music Express Magazine, Music K-8 and Spotlight On Music.  Grade 4 will perform at Open House in March, and Grade 5 provides music for the St Hugo of the Hills annual Healing Mass in May.  In addition to general music, 4th & 5th graders may continue their instrumental studies in the Concert Band.  Band students have multiple performances: Christmas, Spring Open House, and a Spring Concert/Awards Ceremony in May.

6th Grade works on a full music revue for most of the school year, which is performed in March at the Performing Arts Open House. Students rehearse a show, design their own costumes, make props in Art class, and choreograph some of the numbers. The show has become a highly anticipated part of 6th grade, with students, parents and teachers looking forward to the performance each year.  As the students progress through the instrumental department, 6th grade students are welcome to join the 6th-8th Grade Junior High Band.

6th-8th Grade Junior High Band Students rehearse during electives and after school.  The bands are featured multiple times throughout the year: Woodward Hills Nursing Home, Christmas Concert, Open House Performances both in January & March, and the Spring Concert/Awards Ceremony in May.  As instrumental students progress into 7th & 8th grade, they may participate in MSBOA’s (Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association) sponsored Solo and Ensemble Festival on an annual basis.

7th and 8th Grade Jr. High Musical Students in grades 7 and 8 have the opportunity to stage a musical production. The musical is a highly-anticipated tradition, with the majority of the Jr. High students taking roles both onstage and behind the scenes. Previous plays have included The Little Mermaid, Shrek, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Annie, The Sound of Music, Suessical, Lion King, Alice in Wonderland and many others. The students give four performances in mid-May.

7th and 8th Grade Vocal Vikings Glee Club is an Elective class made up of 7th and 8th grade girls and boys. The class meets twice a week, and is designed to rehearse and perform pop and musical selections with choreography. The group performs several times a year, at Christmas, Catholic Schools Week, Open House and other concerts and charitable functions.

Private Music Lessons – In the interest of developing the well-rounded individual, St. Hugo offers private music lessons for its students after school. Weekly piano, voice and band instrument lessons are available through our highly skilled Music Department, making musical enrichment convenient to both the student and the parent. If you are interested in lessons, please contact the teachers below:

Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba, Piano, Voice and Guitar Lessons- Mike Pacifico @ 248-642-6131

Academics:

Music Teacher

Tyler Cornwall