Musical Arts
Band, Orchestra, and Vocal
We believe that music is an indispensable part of a well-rounded education. With that in mind, we offer students the opportunity to study vocal and instrumental music as well as music theory, addressing the needs of both experienced and experimental musicians through individualized and group instruction.
Music Arts Courses
Lower School
K-5th Music Classes
Lower School students experience music class bi-weekly for 30 minutes. Students experience music through an Orff-Schulwerk-centered curriculum where they learn the key music objectives of melody, rhythm, harmony, form, timbre, and expressive qualities. The Orff-Schulwerk approach is student-centered and uses speech, singing, movement, and play to experience these musical elements at an age-appropriate level. With the instruments being mostly percussion, students are exposed to a wide range of timbres, growing their musical ear and interest in the musical world. 4th and 5th grade students experience a wind instrument, the soprano recorder, which grows connections for reading treble clef melodies and helps to prepare them for their Middle School classes. In addition to the music curriculum, Lower School students also prepare short music performances to be featured in their class citizenship program.
Lower School students experience music class bi-weekly for 30 minutes. Students experience music through an Orff-Schulwerk-centered curriculum where they learn the key music objectives of melody, rhythm, harmony, form, timbre, and expressive qualities. The Orff-Schulwerk approach is student-centered and uses speech, singing, movement, and play to experience these musical elements at an age-appropriate level. With the instruments being mostly percussion, students are exposed to a wide range of timbres, growing their musical ear and interest in the musical world. 4th and 5th grade students experience a wind instrument, the soprano recorder, which grows connections for reading treble clef melodies and helps to prepare them for their Middle School classes. In addition to the music curriculum, Lower School students also prepare short music performances to be featured in their class citizenship program.
Meadows Singers
The first performing ensemble at The Meadows School is an auditioned children's choir consisting of 4th and 5th grade students. The Meadows Singers meet for weekly rehearsals during the school day for 45 minutes and prepare music to be performed at on-campus events such as the All-School Pancake Breakfast, Grandparents and Special Friends Day, and the All-School Holiday Assembly. Meadows Singers have also been featured in off-campus performances at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and The Smith Center for the Performing Arts.
Junior Meadows Strings
This beginning orchestra group is designed for students who are at an intermediate level or beyond on the following instruments: violin, viola, cello, string bass, or guitar. The Meadows School is the only school in the Las Vegas Valley to provide such an exciting opportunity for its elementary school-age students. The orchestra performs in numerous events on and off campus including the Annual All-School Pancake Breakfast, holiday assemblies, The Nutcracker Ballet preshow at the Smith Center, etc.
Middle School
Sixth Grade Beginning Band
This course is for students just starting out with a wind, brass, or percussion instrument.
Seventh & Eighth Grade Concert Band
Designed for the intermediate band student, the Concert Band performs a Fall, Winter, and Spring concert, at school sporting events, and at graduation. Various groups are developed from this level of instrumentalists.
This course is for students just starting out with a wind, brass, or percussion instrument.
Seventh & Eighth Grade Concert Band
Designed for the intermediate band student, the Concert Band performs a Fall, Winter, and Spring concert, at school sporting events, and at graduation. Various groups are developed from this level of instrumentalists.
Sixth Grade Orchestra
Designed for students who already play or are interested in learning violin, viola, cello, string bass, guitar, or piano. No previous music experience is required. The course includes the development of the skills necessary to become a musician and develop a life-long interest in music performance. Students will be introduced to classical music as well as other popular styles with a variety of performing experiences throughout the school year.
Seventh & Eighth Grade Orchestra
Designed for students who have experience playing violin, viola, cello, string bass, guitar, or piano. The course includes the development of the skills necessary to become an independent musician and continues to develop a life-long interest in music performance. Students will be introduced to classical music as well as other popular styles with a variety of performing experiences throughout the school year.
Designed for students who already play or are interested in learning violin, viola, cello, string bass, guitar, or piano. No previous music experience is required. The course includes the development of the skills necessary to become a musician and develop a life-long interest in music performance. Students will be introduced to classical music as well as other popular styles with a variety of performing experiences throughout the school year.
Seventh & Eighth Grade Orchestra
Designed for students who have experience playing violin, viola, cello, string bass, guitar, or piano. The course includes the development of the skills necessary to become an independent musician and continues to develop a life-long interest in music performance. Students will be introduced to classical music as well as other popular styles with a variety of performing experiences throughout the school year.
Upper School
Elite Strings Ensemble
Designed for students who have previous experience playing violin, viola, cello, string bass, guitar, or piano. The course includes the development of skills necessary to become independent as a musician and continue developing a life-long interest in music performance. Students will be introduced to classical music as well as other popular styles with a variety of performing experiences throughout the school year.
Symphonic Band
This course is designed for the advanced band student. The band performs a Fall, Winter, and Spring concert, at school sporting events, and at graduation. Various groups will be developed from the main class and will include Symphonic Band, Mustang Pep Band, Percussion Ensemble, and Meadows Jazz Band. Students are also required to participate in local school district events.
Introduction to Music Fundamentals/Keyboard Lab
This class focuses on basic music literacy and keyboard skills. As much as is possible, instruction will be tailored to individual students’ skill levels. No experience is required. However, a piano (or 88-key digital keyboard equivalent) is required for students to be able to practice at home. Intermediate level students that already have some experience with the keyboard and/or music theory will also be accommodated.
AP Music Theory
This course expands upon the skills learned in Introduction to Music Fundamentals/Keyboard Lab, or on existing skills developed from previous musical studies. Fluency in basic note-reading as applied to playing an instrument and/or singing is a must. Students will become well versed in the compositional practices of what is generally referred to as the “Common Practice Period”, centered in Europe (roughly) during 1600 to 1900. Ultimately, this course is designed to deepen the serious musician’s understanding of music theory and composition in all genres, and intensify affinity and passion for music making.
Designed for students who have previous experience playing violin, viola, cello, string bass, guitar, or piano. The course includes the development of skills necessary to become independent as a musician and continue developing a life-long interest in music performance. Students will be introduced to classical music as well as other popular styles with a variety of performing experiences throughout the school year.
Symphonic Band
This course is designed for the advanced band student. The band performs a Fall, Winter, and Spring concert, at school sporting events, and at graduation. Various groups will be developed from the main class and will include Symphonic Band, Mustang Pep Band, Percussion Ensemble, and Meadows Jazz Band. Students are also required to participate in local school district events.
Introduction to Music Fundamentals/Keyboard Lab
This class focuses on basic music literacy and keyboard skills. As much as is possible, instruction will be tailored to individual students’ skill levels. No experience is required. However, a piano (or 88-key digital keyboard equivalent) is required for students to be able to practice at home. Intermediate level students that already have some experience with the keyboard and/or music theory will also be accommodated.
AP Music Theory
This course expands upon the skills learned in Introduction to Music Fundamentals/Keyboard Lab, or on existing skills developed from previous musical studies. Fluency in basic note-reading as applied to playing an instrument and/or singing is a must. Students will become well versed in the compositional practices of what is generally referred to as the “Common Practice Period”, centered in Europe (roughly) during 1600 to 1900. Ultimately, this course is designed to deepen the serious musician’s understanding of music theory and composition in all genres, and intensify affinity and passion for music making.