Music

With our 35 years of history, Hawthorn’s mission is to work closely with parents in shaping the leaders of tomorrow. We provide a unique, well-rounded education that develops both character and intelligence, so that our students become confident women of integrity and faith committed to the betterment of society. Music education, within our broader classical liberal arts education model, asserts that love of and appreciation for music is an integral component of one’s personal development. The principles of our music curriculum are guided by the Kodaly Method and the Ward Method of Music Instruction, particularly through vocal instruction and the training of the voice as a primary instrument, from Junior Kindergarten to grade 12. Students can begin to acquire skills essential to all musicians: aural perception, musical memory, inner hearing, true intonation, and harmonic hearing. In addition to learning the fundamentals of music and music theory and history, all Lower School students sing in the choir and grade 3 to 7 students learn string instruments. Repertoire includes the classic, the sacred, and the secular, which closely align to our educational goals. Choral and instrumental performances are given by our Upper and Lower School ensembles at concerts, assemblies, liturgical events, and other service opportunities and special occasions throughout the year. Our goal is to train to discern and love what is good, true, and beautiful, especially in music. As St. John Bosco said, “A school without music is like a body without a soul.”