Welcome back to the Music Blog!
It has been a week of transformation in the Music Department. From our youngest learners drawing what they hear, to our oldest Primary students actively preparing for the PYP Exhibition, the hallways have been buzzing with creativity. This week, we focused heavily on how technology and art intersect with music.
Here is a look at the incredible work your children have been doing this past week.
Early Years (KG 1 & KG 2)
Exploring Sound & Graphic Notation Our KG musicians have been asking a big question: What does sound look like? Moving beyond traditional notes on a page, the students explored Graphic Notation. They used crayons and paper to “draw” sounds—using jagged lines for loud crashes, smooth waves for quiet hums, and dots for short staccato beats. This is a foundational step in understanding that music can be written down and read by others.
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Ask your child: “Can you draw me a ‘fast’ sound?”
Lower Primary (Grades 1 & 2)
Soundscapes & Digital Reading Building on the idea of drawing sound, Grades 1 and 2 took their graphic notation to the next level by creating full Soundscapes. They composed visual stories and performed them using instruments. We also integrated technology by introducing music reading on iPads. Students practiced identifying notes and patterns using digital piano keyboards and GarageBand. This bridge between the visual symbols and the digital keyboard helps solidify their understanding of pitch and rhythm.
Middle Primary (Grades 3 & 4)
The Digital Composers Grades 3 and 4 have officially entered the recording studio! This week was all about exploring composition through digital platforms.
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Chrome Music Lab: Students experimented with sound waves and oscillators to understand the science of sound.
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BandLab & GarageBand: They began creating their own rhythmic patterns and loops. The focus has been on arrangement—understanding that a song needs a strong beat (drums), a foundation (bass), and a melody on top.
Upper Primary (Grade 5)
Advanced Composition Grade 5 students are diving deeper into GarageBand. They are moving past simple loops and are now composing original pieces. The focus this week was on texture and layering. Students learned how to balance different instrument tracks so their composition doesn’t sound “muddy,” ensuring the melody shines through clearly.
Grade 6
PYP Exhibition Focus For Grade 6, everything is gearing up toward the PYP Exhibition. Music plays a vital role in their expression of their central ideas. This week, students weren’t just learning music; they were acting as Musical Directors. They practiced organizing their groups, arranging specific parts for performance, and rehearsing with intent. It was wonderful to see them take ownership (Agency) of their learning, deciding how music can best communicate the message of their exhibition topics.
🎵 Try This at Home!
If your child is in Grades 3–6, they likely have access to Chrome Music Lab (it’s free online!) or GarageBand on a home device. Next Step: Ask your child to show you a “loop” or a “pattern” they created this week. Letting them “teach” you how to make a beat is a fantastic way to reinforce their learning!
Have a musical weekend, ABIS!