At Sacred Heart, music is so much more than an extracurricular activity—it’s woven into the very fabric of a P-8 education and plays an integral part in shaping young minds and hearts. From the first boisterous notes of the preschool to the polished, confident concerts of middle school, students experience a comprehensive music program that progressively boosts both technical skill and creative expression as they go through the grades.

For the youngest learners, from preschool through kindergarten, it all starts with weekly music and movement classes. Students learn the basic elements of music and rhythm to begin building a foundation for music literacy and appreciation. 

The elementary music program, for grades 1-5, follows the Orff Schulwerk approach, emphasizing creativity and active participation. First graders build musicianship through vocal exploration, movement, and rhythm. In second grade, students begin learning music theory, including reading rhythms and solfege. As they progress, skills solidify, while they learn more advanced concepts and explore various instruments. Performance opportunities are provided at every grade level, and students are encouraged to compose music together.

In the sixth grade, students are ready to make a commitment to their favorite instrument—or choose vocals—for the next two years. 

“At the end of seventh grade, our students have been allowed two years to fully learn their chosen instrument—or cultivate their voice as an instrument,” said Middle School Curriculum Director, Dr. Sharon Sikora. “At this point, students are really reaching the pinnacle of their P-8 music development.”

One way this is nurtured is through the longstanding traditional Disneyland field trip, where seventh grade vocalists and instrumentalists participate in workshops with professional Disney musicians and explore different professional pathways in the fine arts, including theme park design. “All their years of hard work come to life on a grand stage,” Sikora added.

With eighth grade comes even greater freedom of choice—students can choose two semester-long electives from a wide array of options, including symphony, VOCE (the school's renowned chorus and a capella group), as well as other fine arts, STEM, and English electives. It’s a chance for students to tailor their learning experience and explore new areas of interest while continuing to cultivate their musical talents.

Students’ love of music truly echoes across every corridor of the school—apparent in the energetic renditions of Coeur de Jesus at assemblies and in the soaring voices of VOCE’s “pop-up” performances at community events. Let’s not forget some of our youngest students in grades K-5 who led the community carol sing-a-long as the campus Christmas tree was lit. The tone at the P-8 has been set, and they’ll head on to develop a deep musicianship at the Prep. The experience will no doubt resonate with students for years to come, with our educators’ ultimate goal of sparking a lifelong love of music.