Music

Building creativity, confidence, community, and a lifelong appreciation of music

At Holy Name of Jesus, Music Education for students in grades K-7 develops musical knowledge, creativity, confidence, and an appreciation for music through active, hands-on learning. Students explore music through singing, movement, instruments, listening, performance, and musical discovery while learning how music connects us to history, culture, faith, and one another.

Early Childhood

Kindergarten (Discovering Music): Students experience the joy of making music through singing, movement, instruments, and musical play. They explore foundational concepts including steady beat, rhythm, pitch, tempo, and dynamics while developing listening skills, coordination, and the confidence to make music together.

Lower School

1st Grade (Music & Musicians): Students build foundational music skills through singing, rhythm, movement, listening, and classroom instruments while discovering the people who make music. Through an introduction to notable composers and musicians, students begin exploring different musical styles, sounds, and traditions while developing an understanding of the important role music plays in worship and community.

2nd Grade (The Science of Sound): Students explore how music works through rhythm, melody, musical patterns, and the science of sound. Interactive activities encourage students to experiment, listen, create, and discover connections between music and science while strengthening their ability to recognize, reproduce, and perform musical patterns.

3rd Grade (Music Literacy & Recorder): Students take an exciting step toward becoming independent musicians by developing music-reading skills, foundational music theory, and beginning instrumental technique through recorder instruction. Students learn to translate musical notation into performance while strengthening their understanding of rhythm, pitch, melody, and musical expression through individual and ensemble music-making.

4th Grade (Music Through the Ages): Students journey through music history from ancient civilizations to the modern era, discovering how music has developed alongside cultures, societies, and historical events. Through listening, discussion, performance, and music-reading activities, students explore changing musical styles and traditions while continuing to strengthen their performance and music-literacy skills.

Music & Liturgy: Musical liturgy is an essential part of the music experience at HNJ. At every grade level, students learn about the role of music in Catholic worship and develop the skills and confidence to actively participate in the musical life of the Church. Through sacred music, students experience how their individual voices can become part of something larger—building community, expressing faith, and contributing their gifts in service to others.

Middle School

Students in grades 5-7 can further explore their musical interests through HNJ’s Band Program, Choir Program, and rotating Music Electives. These opportunities allow students to pursue areas of individual interest while continuing to develop musicianship, creativity, collaboration, confidence, and performance skills.

Middle School Band Program: Students develop instrumental musicianship through ensemble rehearsal and performance, strengthening music reading, technique, listening skills, and rehearsal discipline. Students learn to take responsibility for their individual musical part while contributing to the sound and success of the larger ensemble. Performance opportunities may include concerts, liturgies, assemblies, and special school events.

Middle School Choir Program: Students develop their voices through ensemble singing while exploring healthy vocal technique, harmony, music reading, diction, expression, and performance. Through sacred, contemporary, traditional, and other age-appropriate repertoire, students experience a variety of musical styles while contributing their voices to concerts, liturgies, celebrations, and special events.

Middle School Music Electives

Students may further explore their individual musical interests through rotating elective offerings such as:

High Note - Competition Choir
High Note choir is a performance-focused ensemble for students who are ready to challenge themselves and grow as vocal musicians. Meeting each Monday as a class, and Thursday in an afterschool rehearsal, students will develop strong vocal technique, musicianship, confidence, and ensemble skills while preparing challenging music for competition and performance. Our goal is not to simply sing well, but to strive for excellence. This course is tailored for students hoping to leave a mark on HNJ history. 

Groovy Gators - Percussion Ensemble  (Will also have a single after school rehearsal)

Groovy gators is a beginning percussion ensemble focused on learning the basics of percussion. This is a YEAR LONG course that will build on these skills each trimester. Students will have the opportunity to learn a variety of percussion instruments including but not limited to, snare drum, bass drum, melodics, and more! By the end of the course students will have learned how to read and write music as well as perform on a variety of percussion instruments.

Brass Foundry is a beginning brasswind ensemble focused on learning the basics of wind performance. This is a YEAR LONG course that will build on these skills each trimester. Students will have the opportunity to learn a brass instrument of their choice and master the introductory skills of various brass instruments. The instruments up for offer include trumpet, trombone, euphonium (baby tuba), and french horn. Following trimesters will build on these skills. By the end of the year students will have developed the ability to read and write music as well as perform confidently on their horn a variety of songs.

Reed between the lines is a beginning woodwind ensemble focused on learning the basics of wind performances. This is a YEAR LONG course that will build on these skills each trimester. Students will have the opportunity to learn a variety of woodwind instruments including but not limited to, flute, clarinet, and saxophone. The following semesters will continue to build on these skills as students become more familiar with their instruments. By the end of the year students will have developed the ability to read, write, and perform music on their instruments.

Backstage Pass - American Rock History

This course will allow students to take a journey through the history of American rock music from the 1950s to today! Students will explore the artists, bands, songs, and cultural moments that shaped rock and popular music. From the birth of rock ‘n’ rock and the rise of legendary performers, students will engage with genres of music from past generations to present through listening exercises, discussions, videos, and hands-on activities.

HNJ’s K-7 Music program encourages students to discover their musical gifts, strive for personal excellence, appreciate the traditions and contributions of others, and experience the joy of creating music together. Through classroom instruction, liturgy, ensembles, and electives, students develop musical skills while learning that music can be a powerful way to express themselves, strengthen community, celebrate faith, and share their gifts with others.