Where artistic expression meets educational innovation
At Rodeph Sholom School, music isn’t just taught—it’s experienced, celebrated, and woven into the fabric of student life. Our impressive music program continues to set benchmarks in arts education, providing students with unparalleled opportunities to develop as musicians and creative thinkers.
A Symphony of Opportunity
What sets Rodeph Sholom School’s music program apart is its exceptional breadth and depth. Beginning with intuitive music appreciation for young learners, the curriculum progressively builds a robust musical foundation, guiding students through carefully crafted stages of musical development. From playful early childhood explorations to structured elementary music instruction and sophisticated middle school ensemble experiences, the program seamlessly integrates technical skill-building with imaginative artistic expression, ensuring that each student discovers their unique musical voice while developing a deep and lasting appreciation for the art of sound.
“Our goal is to instill a love and appreciation of artistic expression, curiosity, and personal growth,” explains our Arts Department Chair. “We’ve created an environment where students are encouraged to be curious, take risks, and learn from their mistakes—essential qualities for both musical and personal development.”
A Comprehensive After-School Music Program
The Rodeph Sholom School After School Music Program is a model for other top New York City private schools. Available to students in grades 2-8, the program offers weekly private lessons on nearly every brass, woodwind, percussion, and string instrument.
What truly distinguishes our program is our extraordinary faculty—professional musicians recruited from New York City’s finest orchestras, Broadway productions, and commercial music scenes. This remarkable team brings world-class performance experience directly to our students.
Curriculum Highlights: From Theory to Production
The comprehensive music curriculum advances thoughtfully through each grade level:
- Early Childhood Exposure: Weekly Shabbat sing-alongs, Artist of the Week, and general music integration.
- Elementary Music Integration: Our innovative approach weaves music throughout the elementary curriculum, creating meaningful connections across subject areas. In a standout example, 3rd graders participate in a cross-disciplinary project that bridges Social Studies, Jewish Studies, and Music, performing works by influential Jewish composers like Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, and Bob Dylan as part of their immigration unit—bringing history to life through musical expression.
- Middle School Foundations: Building on elementary skills, students learn sight-reading, music theory, and recorder techniques while exploring diverse musical genres from classical to hip-hop.
- 6th Grade Ukulele Program: Students develop theory skills through practical application, learning to play ukuleles while deepening their understanding of key signatures, intervals, and music notation.
- 7th Grade Guitar Focus: Students further refine their musical literacy through guitar instruction, combining technical skills with an appreciation of various musical traditions and their cultural contexts.
- 8th Grade Music Production: Culminating in a technology-focused experience, 8th graders apply their musical knowledge to compose, record, and edit original works using GarageBand, creating podcasts, hip-hop beats, and scored poetry.
Beyond the Classroom: Ensembles and Performance Opportunities
Students enrich their musical education through participation in numerous ensembles, including:
- Advanced Band
- Beginning Band
- String Ensemble
- Guitar Ensemble
- Glee Club
These co-curricular groups provide performance experiences that build confidence and collaborative skills.
Cultural Connections: The New York Philharmonic Partnership
For the second consecutive year, our 4th, 5th, and 6th graders attended a special New York Philharmonic program designed specifically for students. This multimedia experience explored how musical innovations shaped orchestral traditions and influenced generations of composers.
“The Philharmonic program was absolutely transformative for our students last year,” notes our music faculty. “The combination of performance, historical context, and multimedia engagement created a powerful learning experience that resonated with students long after the concert ended.”
The Annual Arts Festival: Celebrating Achievement
The school year culminates in our Annual Arts Festival, where student displays and performances take center stage. This celebration showcases the remarkable progress made throughout the year and allows students to share their artistic achievements with the broader community.
Through its commitment to excellence and innovation, Rodeph Sholom School’s music program continues to empower students not just as musicians but as creative thinkers capable of expression, reflection, and problem-solving—skills that resonate far beyond the music room.
To learn more about how Rodeph Sholom School might be a good fit for your family, contact admissions@rssnyc.org or inquire below.