Our music curriculum at Trinity Christian School, first and foremost, puts God at the center of the incredible gift He has given called music. We strive to help our students love God and love others through music.
Our program is centered on musical literacy through the learning of instruments and singing techniques. Students learn a variety of worship songs both traditional hymns and modern worship literature. These songs are used as students worship and lead at our weekly chapel service. Students are also given the opportunity to explore playing a variety of instruments at different grade levels.Techniques of Orff (xylophone/percussion instruments), Kodaly (learning our do, re, mi’s) as well as movement and dances are incorporated into each grade to help students develop their talents and gifts.
Music history, including learning about genres of music and composers from the past to the present, are also presented as a way to understand the craft of composition and career possibilities in the older grades as they explore creating. Music is a vehicle to the soul; God’s gift that meets humanity in all places. It celebrates in joy and is a balm in sadness.
Welcome to Music!
Hello, My name is Andrew Szmauz, and it is an honor to be welcomed to this family. This year's learning highlights will be to teach the students a better understanding of music theory, performance practice, music history, and most importantly, the art of how to practice. I aim to bring a refined and engaging understanding and conceptualization of musical practice, to all students at every ability level. Congruently, my goal is to showcase how to apply our spiritual principles to not only our performance practice, but to our ensemble practice, as well as our instrumental practice. Supplies that are needed for this course, throughout the school year, will be determined by student interest in ensemble and solo instrumental work. Pencils, blank staff paper, and a 3-ring binder (of standard size) will be required for students in grades 5 through 8. In my free time, I enjoy
performing concerts of classical guitar music, renaissance lute, and vihuela music, as well as my favorite art form, Flamenco music. I also enjoy camping, hiking, spending time with my family, and the study of astronomy, with a focus on quantum physics. I studied music for 4 years, with twice Grammy-nominated composer and guitarist, Dr. Jose Manuel Lezcano, and Flamenco guitar, with world-renowned and award-winning guitarist, Grisha Goryachev, who holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts from New England Conservatory. I am also in a Flamenco ensemble with members of the Allman Brothers Band.
