Throughout the music curriculum, students are actively engaged in activities that promote musical literacy and understanding.
- Early childhood music education (K-1) includes movement, creative play, singing, and rhythm instruments to introduce music concepts such as steady beat, loud/soft, fast/slow, low/high and patterns.
- Instruction in grades 2-3 focuses on further development of singing skills while participating in singing games, instrumental exploration (Orff instruments), listening, movement, and dance.
- Students in grades 4-5 are introduced to recorder playing where they work to strengthen their music literacy skills in preparation for middle grades (6th-8th) ensembles. Lessons integrate folk dances, singing, recorder playing, and accompanying Orff ensemble in such a way that instruction is differentiated based on ability levels and student choice. In addition, music concepts are strengthened through games, activities, and manipulatives. Students also have opportunities to improvise and compose music and listen to music from various style periods and cultures.
- Students in 6th grade are given the opportunity to join band, while students in 7th & 8th grades are invited to join the Chorus. In some cases, students may participate in both band and chorus.
Special Programs
Cullowhee Valley students enjoy participating in performances throughout the year. Performances include, but are not limited to, the Veteran’s Day Assembly, Holiday Concert, PTA Night, The Annual Talent Show, and Kindergarten and 8th Grade Promotion Ceremonies. Some performances take place in the local community as well. The following is a sample of performance opportunities throughout the year:
- Kindergarten: Thanksgiving Play, Holiday Program performed at a local nursing home, the Annual CVS Talent Show, and an end-of-year Promotion Program
- K-3rd grade students occasionally perform for PTA nights, assemblies, or other special CVS events that celebrate special events like Black History Month. The mini-musical, Charlotte’s Web, is often performed by 3rd graders for an assembly or Parent’s Night event.
- 4th Grade Recorder Choir students perform for the holiday concert or other events during the year. These students audition in the music classroom in order to participate in the Recorder Choir.
Chorus
This group is for those who LOVE to sing. 7th & 8th Grade students will work as an ensemble to prepare songs for performances at two evening concerts as well as special programs, assemblies, and occasional off-campus performances throughout the year. Instruction will focus on reading music and preparing students for future participation in vocal groups in high school. Students can select Chorus for the first semester only or for the entire year.
The CVS Chorus makes an annual trip each December to the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC to perform for guests of the Inn who are visiting the world renowned display of Gingerbread Houses. The Chorus also enjoys performing for holiday travelers and employees of the Asheville Regional Airport. Local performances at the Jackson County Senior Adult Center and other venues are a part of the Chorus agenda each year.
Jackson County Children’s Choir
Students in 5th and 6th grade can audition to participate in a county-wide honors choir that performs at the annual “Sounds of the Season” concert at WCU.
Annual Talent Show
Students in all grades are encouraged to participate in the annual spring talent show. Participation could involve vocal or instrumental solos, duets, dancing, original skits, or group acts that involve various talents. The CVS Chorus, Mountain Fretters Dulcimer Club, and Kindergarteners also perform in the Talent Show each year.
High School Musicals
Students in grades 4-8 are often invited to participate in musicals performed by students at the Smoky Mountain High School. Students from CVS have participated in Oklahoma and Hairspray in recent years.
Other Musical Opportunities
- Mountain Fretters Dulcimer Club: The Cullowhee Valley School Mountain Fretters Dulcimer Club enjoys experiencing the culture of their rich mountain heritage by learning Appalachian tunes and familiar melodies on mountain dulcimers. The Mountain Fretters meet before school twice weekly from 7:30-8:00 AM. Volunteers from the community lead the group. The group includes students in grades 2-8, and they perform at school concerts, assemblies, and in the community.
- JAM – Junior Appalachian Musicians: Junior Appalachian Musicians is an after-school music program for the youth in Jackson County Schools. The purpose of the program is to provide instruction and performance opportunities for youth in traditional Appalachian music. This group meets weekly at Cullowhee Valley School.