Music Singing is a part of every school day. Starting with simple melodies in the early grades, the children progress to learning rounds and songs with two or more parts. The main lesson teacher leads this daily activity and also introduces the children to the pentatonic flute beginning in the first grade. Each class has a music period with the music teacher once or twice a week. The classes sing, play and listen to music of different kinds. Music notation is taught, beginning in third grade. The upper grades sing together in the middle school chorus. In fourth grade every child is introduced to the violin, viola or cello in group lessons available at the school. After fourth grade, all children are encouraged to continue with their instrument of choice (strings or winds) and private lessons are available at school. Sixth, seventh and eighth graders have the opportunity to play in the school orchestra on the recommendation of their private teacher. Teachers available for private lessons are announced each August by the music teacher in a letter sent to parents of fourth through eighth graders.