Music

Lower School Music

The philosophy and work of Zoltan Kodály, (1882-1967) Hungarian composer and music educator, provide the foundation for the Lower School Vocal Program. The boys develop musical skill in pitch, rhythm, form, and harmony and grow in competency in performance, literacy, and appreciation of folk and classical music. The Gilman program is designed to be sensitive to child development with particular attention to the emerging understanding of boys' learning styles, their natural strengths, and preferences. Grades two through five present a grade level talent show each year. Every boy who is prepared has his moment in the spotlight.

Middle School Music

The Middle School General Music program seeks to build upon students’ knowledge and understanding of the basic elements of music (timbre, rhythm, pitch, form, and dynamics) through interaction with musical creation and performance. In class, students play a variety of instruments, imitate the compositions of current and past musicians, integrate an assortment of cultural influences, read works from those with extensive musical careers and experiences, and produce original music in individual/group projects. We view each activity through the lens of World Music and American Music, and our goals are deliberately designed to aid students in building a community of intercultural conversation through the language of music. With sound as our guide, we aim not to create musicians but to nurture musically-experienced advocates of diverse cultural expression.

Upper School Music

In addition to the practical music making opportunities offered in the vocal [hyperlink] and instrumental music programs [hyperlink], upper school students take the Music History course as tenth graders, and may also be involved in the Radio Club and Recording Studio.

Tenth Grade Music History

The primary aim of this course is to introduce students to major developments in Western art music. As a component of the Humanities Program, this course will coordinate with the History Department's chronological survey of European culture, the Art Department's survey of Western Art, and the English Department's survey of Western Literature. Western art music will be studied in the context of moral, political, and philosophical principles of each period in Western history, and the survey will take students from Gregorian Chant, through Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern music, all the way to contemporary music and jazz. The course will also introduce students to the fundamental elements of music to enable students to listen to and discuss music (whether it be "Classical" music or pop music of their choice) critically and analytically.

Radio Club

The Gilman Radio Club is a student organization that produces a variety of music, sports, talk, and special interest shows. The shows are broadcast at various locations over the campus and selected shows can be heard via the internet. Students are involved in everything from the acquisition and cataloging of music media to the general station management.

Recording Studio

The Gilman Recording Studio, along with the radio station, was created in 1997 through a generous grant from the parents and grandparents of the class of 1996. As a unique community resource the studio is available for faculty, staff, and students to record college entrance auditions, musical ensemble performances, or other special projects.