At South Side Middle School, music is a core part of every student’s education. All students participate in band, orchestra, or chorus, continuing the foundation built in elementary school.  Students also enjoy experiences in our music lab in grades 6 and 8.   Our program emphasizes musical growth, collaboration, creativity, and technology, providing opportunities for students to develop as performers, creators, and critical listeners.

Grade-Level Ensembles (6–8)

All students participate in band, orchestra, or chorus throughout middle school. By providing a solid foundation in grade-level ensembles and small group instruction, we create a learning environment that builds community and fosters momentum, preparing students for success as they progress through the grades.

Grade-level ensembles that work together over multiple years encourage camaraderie, teamwork, and mutual accountability. Students develop a sense of belonging and shared purpose while refining their technical and expressive skills.
Individualized attention through small group instruction, or “lessons,” ensures that students are supported in developing foundational skills while also being challenged to extend their musical abilities. 

All ensembles culminate in authentic assessment in the form of Winter and Spring Concerts. 

Grade 6: Exploratory Music – STEAM Lab Experience

In addition to ensemble participation, all 6th graders take one quarter of Exploratory Music, an innovative course in the school’s STEAM Lab. This unique classroom combines technology and music, giving students hands-on experience in piano, guitar, and composition.  This quarter fosters a growth mindset, encouraging students to explore instruments and technology they may not have encountered before. It provides reinforcement and enrichment to ensure students of all skill levels are challenged and inspired.

Scope & Sequence

Grade 8: Music Studio – High School Credit Course

For students who wish to continue their musical journey, Music Studio in Grade 8 offers a high school credit course designed to cultivate a holistic understanding of music. Aligned with the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), the course emphasizes:

• Performance, creation, and analysis of music.
   
• Critical thinking, creativity, and cultural awareness through interdisciplinary and inquiry-based learning.
   
• Advanced music technology and composition, building upon skills from Exploratory Music.

Music Studio prepares students for high school-level musical study, fostering artistry, personal expression, and deep engagement with music as an art form and cultural language.

Scope & Sequence

Kathleen Mark, Director of the Arts kmark@rvcschools.org

Teachers

Anna Elias, Chorus 6, Music Studio aelias@rvcschools.org

Jessical Herman, Orchestra 6  jherman@rvcschools.org

Melissa Lagoudes, Chorus 7, Chorus 8  mlagoudes@rvcschools.org

Codi Ng, Orchestra 7, Orchestra 8  cng@rvcschools.org

Danny Pineyro, Band 6, Exploratory 6 dpineyro@rvcschools.org

Christina Tomek, Band 7, Band 8, Exploratory 6 ctomek@rvcschools.org

• NYS Learning Standards for the Arts - Music

     NYSED