Music
Music, as one of the creative arts, is considered a very important part of a child’s education at the ISA. Music trains the ear, the mind and the whole body, it helps develop group discipline, it supports language teaching and it introduces a child to the wonderful world of music, which children are encouraged to enter by learning an instrument.
Since August 2012 the school has a music-suite in the basement of the old building consisting of a large music classroom and three smaller rooms for small groups and individual music lessons. The ISA is well-equipped with instruments: a piano, three digital pianos, Orff-instruments, guitars, drums, class sets of stringed instruments (violins and cello) and percussion instruments (djembes and darbukas etc.) and a child-sized double-bass. In addition the school has a sound system and extensive music-software.
Music is taught as a class subject from ELC through to Grade 8. In the Lower School the emphasis is on practical music-making (singing, playing, moving to music) while introducing students to the ideas of appreciation and cultural identity. In Grade 2 all students learn the recorder (Blockflöte) in class and Grade 3 has embarked on a pilot project of a string class.
In Middle School the music curriculum follows three strands: Creating and Presenting (practical music-making, singing, playing, composing), Response and Evaluation (appreciation and analysis) and Cultural Awareness (historic and ethnic context).
The school has an extensive Instrumental Programme in which 12 specialist teachers offer lessons in piano, guitar, violin, cello, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, percussion and voice.
Concerts and musical events play an important part in the school life. The ISA gives a Charity Concert in Heilig-Kreuz-Church in Augsburg, presents a Christmas Concert, a Spring Concert, a Christmas Programme in a local old-peoples’ home and a Summer Arts Day. The ISA Orchestra goes on at least one weekend orchestra camp. In addition to student choirs, a teacher/parent choir is currently planned.
