The music departments at Denny International Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School have made a high priority of developing a continuous 6-12th grade music pathway. The prominent features of this pathway are:
- articulated course offerings from the middle to high school level
- an aligned 6th through 12th grade music curriculum
- shared instructors developing long term relationships with students and families
- a unified booster organization supporting both programs
The primary goal this level of intentionality is to help every student to achieve musical and academic success from middle school to high school, high school to college, and from college to beyond. The two music programs combined serve over 400 students in concert bands, marching bands, mariachi, piano, and jazz ensembles.
MISSION AND VISION
The Denny-Sealth International Music Pathway is founded upon the central belief that every child should have access to a high quality music education regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, gender, handicap/disability, sexual orientation, or neighborhood. We strive to develop music programming that reflects the beautiful diversity of our schools and community. We endeavor to provide our students with first class musical instruction and experiences that will foster, in every student, an appreciation of music and a life-long commitment to musicianship. Above all else, we believe that through music, students can develop a sense of self worth, school pride, and connection to their community that will advance the school’s missions of fostering global awareness and ensuring academic excellence for every child in our global village, thereby putting each individual on the path towards success in middle school, high school, college, and beyond.
As International Schools, we put great emphasis on incorporating a global perspective in all content areas. In music, a global perspective is infused by:
- selecting music repertoire and experiences that encourage students to see themselves as musicians who are able to use music to appreciate differences and create connections amongst different groups of people.
- using music literature from various genres throughout the globe to develop music skills in students.
- considering how various cultures learn and make aesthetic choices about music.
- providing students with opportunities to experience and learn music from around the world in a culturally authentic way when possible.
- developing connections with middle and high school music programs in other parts of the world to develop musical exchanges, dialogue, and appreciation.
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
- make music alone and with others.
- improvise and create music.
- demonstrate musical literacy through notation and using musical terminology
- respond aesthetically, intellectually, and emotionally to music.
- appreciate music of diverse styles and genres.
- listen critically and make aesthetic judgments based on critical listening skills
- demonstrate a commitment to music
- support, and encourage others to support. the musical life of the community
- continue his/her musical learning independently.
- function as a productive member of a musical ensemble.
- demonstrate habits of diligence, self-discipline, concentration, and self-expression.
- To broaden the student’s aesthetic sensitivity.
- To transmit our cultural awareness and appreciation to future generations.
- To learn to work together in a group.
- To provide the opportunity for students to perform
- To provide an atmosphere to learn community, not just conformity.
- To contribute to the emotional well-being of the students.
- To broaden the musical awareness of students.
- To develop skills, habits, and aptitudes that will transfer to the workforce
- To provide a showcase for our schools and community.
- To provide our students with access to high quality music experiences and opportunities that have in the past been reserved for a privileged few.