"The trumpeters and singers joined in unison, as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the Lord."
GENERAL MUSIC
At ESM music plays a vital role in our rich Lutheran history.
Preschool through 3rd grade students have a general music class that meets once a week. Through a combination of singing, playing instruments, and movement, our students learn musical concepts such as: matching pitch, dynamics, rhythm and note reading, musical expression, musical forms, and improvisation.
CHOIR
Every student at ESM, from preschool through 8th grade, participates in choir. Mr. Paul Buuck directs Kindergarten - 3rd grade choirs, and Mrs. Pauline Benner directs 4th - 8th grade choirs, and preschool choir. In choir, students learn how to use their voice to match pitch and make a beautiful sound, and how to read notes and rhythms. 4th - 8th grade choirs also learn how to sing rounds and 2- or 3-part harmony.
ART
Kindergarten through 3rd grade students have an art lesson once per week with their regular classroom teacher. These lessons may focus on Indiana state standards for visual art, learning about a famous artist, and/or creating an artistic expression of a Bible verse or an aspect of our Christian faith. Any time you walk through our Getz campus, you will see these works of art prominently displayed in the hallways.
Miss Cecielia Siefer teaches art at Union campus where 4th through 8th graders have art class once per week. Students complete hands-on visual art projects using a variety of mediums, and are also introduced to art history and art appreciation.
BAND
Band is available for 4th - 8th grade students who would like to learn to play a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. Students learn instrumental techniques such as tone production, finger technique, breathing and articulation, and how to read music. There are three levels of band: 4th grade beginning band, 5th grade intermediate band, and 6-8 grade advanced band. Students may choose to begin band in any grade, even if they are older than 4th grade. Each band meets twice per week, and will perform at least twice during the year. Band is taught by Mrs. Benner. CLICK HERE to register for band.
STRINGS
Strings class is available for 3rd - 8th grade students who would like to learn violin, viola, or cello. Our strings classes are part of Concordia Lutheran High School’s elementary music program, and are taught by Mr. Brandon Eiler. String classes meet twice a week, and perform three times per year at Concordia HS with other students from area Lutheran elementary schools, as well as at Christmas Vespers. CLICK HERE to register for strings.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
In addition to our regular music classes during the school day, ESM students may also choose to participate in a variety of after school extracurricular musical and art activities. Please fill out THIS FORM if you are interested in joining Handbells, Advanced Choir, or Praise Band.
Handbells
Handbell choir is available for 3rd - 8th grade students. They meet in the sanctuary at St. Michael on Mondays 3:45 - 4:45. This group may perform with our choirs, and play in worship services at Emmanuel and St. Michael, at Christmas Vespers, and in chapel.
Advanced Choir
Advanced choir is available for 6th - 8th grade students who are interested in reaching a higher level of vocal technique, and singing more challenging repertoire. Advanced choir meets in the choir room at Union on Tuesdays 3:30 - 4:30.
Praise Band
Student Praise Band is available for 6th - 8th grade students who sing and/or play piano, guitar, bass guitar, or drums. Students will learn how to play contemporary worship songs and hymns with a worship team, how to read lead sheets and chord charts, and how to plan worship services. Praise Band regularly helps lead music in ESM chapel services. This group meets in the choir room at Union on Thursdays 3:30 - 4:30.
Spring Musical
Students at ESM perform a musical every May. Each year rotates between Kindergarten - 3rd grade, 4th & 5th grade, and Middle School. All students will participate in the chorus, and individual students will have the opportunity to audition for lead speaking roles and solo singing parts.
Talent Show
Every student K-8 may participate in the talent show. Students can prepare an act of any kind (it does not need to be musical). They can sing, play instruments, juggle, dance, do gymnastics, tell jokes, act out a skit - anything you can think of! Auditions for the talent show are in February.
Art Club
Art Club meets 3:30 - 4:30 on Mondays & Tuesdays in the art room at Union.
In Art club, students do student-led visual art projects, more advanced teacher-led art lessons that they may not have time for in their regular art classes during the day, and projects for school wide events such as Christmas Vespers, the Talent Show, and National Lutheran Schools Week.