Music

“Let everything that has breath, give praise to the Lord” Psalm 150: 6

At St.Thomas the Apostle we take these beautiful words from the Bible and instill them in our students. Our music classes begin as early as Pre K 2 and continue through the 8th grade where we teach our students to worship God thru music. During their weekly music time, the students develop their talents as they worship God in class, performances and at Mass. Beginning in Pre K 2 music is taught thru singing, movement, play and dance. In 1st grade, the students begin to learn the basics of music notation develop their singing and listening skills as they sing songs and identify instruments. We are very fortunate at St. Thomas to have an exceptional instrumental program consisting of string orchestra and band. During their regular music class the students begin their musical journey in the world of instruments. In 3rd grade the students may choose to play either the recorder or a string instrument (violin or cello). In 4th grade, they play the hand bells and strings. In 5th grade, they will then choose a band instrument (flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, percussion) or a string instrument, which they will continue to play thru the 8th grade.

We are blessed to have many talented students that encompass our six different choirs at St. Thomas. The choirs range from Kindergarten all the way thru Junior High. The choirs are: Sunshine Choir (Kindergarten), Rainbow Choir (1st -2nd grade), Elementary Choir (3rd- 5th grade), Boys Choir (3rd- 8th grade) and Junior High Choir (6th -8th grade). The Chamber Choir is an elite group consisting of girls ranging from 5th grade to 8th grade that have to audition in order to be a member of the group. This choir sings at many special masses and performs in special activities and events such as our annual Christmas show and Spring Show. They also participate in workshops and have competed at the Coral Gables Merrick Park Caroling Competition where they were awarded the “Runner-up” prize in the Middle School division. This group has performed at Carnegie Hall and at Barry University.

All students perform in many different events throughout the school year. During the month of October we celebrate Hispanic Heritage with a show that involves singing and dancing. In our various Christmas shows every child will have the opportunity to showcase their talent by singing, playing an instrument, and telling the story of the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Our choirs and our instruments also perform for our annual Spring Show. Our choirs sing on a rotating schedule for our weekly school Masses and our Sunday Masses. Music is a universal language and thru music our students are exposed and learn to appreciate and respect different cultures and traditions.