Music
Music Education at Ross
Every child is musical.
At Ross, music is for everyone. Our curriculum seeks to foster a lifelong love of music through the four pillars of the National Standards for Music Education: Creating, Performing, Connecting, and Evaluating. Our new classroom, outfitted with beautiful Orff instruments, drums, and keyboards, provides a rich musical experience as students learn to play, sing, read, write, and appreciate music.
Opportunities to play band and orchestra instruments are coordinated through partnership with the DC Youth Orchestra. Students also experience playing recorder in Third Grade, bucket drums in Fourth Grade, and ukulele in Fifth Grade.
Our Schedule (coming soon)
Kennedy Center Partnership
Through a partnership with the Kennedy Center, Ross is delighted to host teaching artists for residencies each year in the visual and performing arts. This year, Second and Third Grade will work with opera singer Mary Gresock to create an operatic version of a familiar story. Fourth and Fifth Grade will explore the history of jazz and compose their own blues song in a residency led by jazz/world vocalist Imani Gozales.
Photos coming soon
PreK-2
In the lower elementary grades, students are introduced to the concepts steady beat and rhythm, high and low, loud and soft, and fast and slow. Students learn melodic patterns through solfege and engage in activities to strengthen pitch-matching skills.
3-5 Overview
Students in the upper elementary grades continue to build their knowledge of pitch, rhythm, dynamics, tempo, and form. They learn to read more challenging music notation, create original compositions, and develop critical listening skills.
Contact Information
Carlton Strother
carlton.strother@k12.dc.gov
My name is Carlton Strother. I am the Music Education Specialist and Choral teacher. I was born in Hampton, South Carolina. Ten years ago, I moved to Washington, DC from Atlanta, Georgia. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education/Choral Music from the University of South Carolina, a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Appalachian State University, and an Education Specialist degree in Leading and Learning from Georgia Southwestern State University.
During my free time, I enjoy traveling and attending concerts and musicals around the world, and spending time with friends and family.
For further information about what is happening in Music, check out Principal Searl’s Weekly Bulletin for monthly updates.