Cultivating Student Commitment

St. Anne’s music education program teaches and reinforces the fundamentals of music and how to apply them to materials the students enjoy and to which they can relate. We cultivate student commitment, from the recreational to the more serious players, by putting fundamentals into practice in an engaging fashion. Demonstrating how analysis of material and the discipline of practice are of service to the more fun aspects of playing and performing are key to development as a musician and student.

Lower School

Incorporating the music pedagogy of Kodaly, Orff, and Dalcroze; the Lower School music program focuses on students actively participating through singing, playing classroom instruments, moving, and directed-listening activities. As students progress, they begin to learn standard music notation. In third grade, students are introduced to the soprano recorder, ukulele and mallet instruments. This gives them the opportunity to apply their ability to read the pitches and rhythms on the staff. Students continue with recorders and ukulele in fourth grade, and they are introduced to keyboard basics.

Middle School

When they reach Middle School, all students attend General Music and instrumental classes and study music theory for the first two years. Middle Schoolers are given the choice between pursuing chorus, instrumental studies, or both through eighth grade.

Our Middle School program encourages students to learn to play an instrument of their choice, read music, and learn music theory. Technology is used to present examples of different styles of play and technique. Digital recording can be used for creating music or for providing immediate feedback of a performance. Instruction time is grouped by grade levels and instrumentation. Students perform in small and large ensembles with the goal of coming together for concert performances. Students are encouraged to rent their own instruments so that they can practice at home. St. Anne’s has a limited number of instruments for use at school. All of our students are unique individuals who are met at their level and then encouraged to reach their personal goals. Our group endeavors also engender socialization and teamwork skills that will enhance and broaden the student’s worldview.

The culmination of our students’ efforts is on display at our annual Spring Concert and Christmas Concert when parents are invited to share their joy. Our students are often amazed by the feats they accomplish by working together to bring these concerts to life!

Music allows students to take technical knowledge and use it to create emotion and art!

We are very proud of the musical feats of our graduates who have found success beyond St. Anne's. The first violinists for the Delaware Honors Orchestra (formerly known as All-State) from 2011-14, have included St. Anne’s alumni Aaron Chang, Class of 2010 and Courtney Chang, Class of 2008.

Meet Our Instructor

Mr. Ed Ryan

Middle School Instrumental and Music Instructor

Ed Ryan is a classically trained multi-instrumentalist and composer who has earned a BA in music and an MA in music composition. He has been a working musician and teacher for over forty years. Ed also has experience as a studio and touring musician, recording artist and published songwriter. He continues to release new music on digital platforms like Spotify, iTunes and Amazon. Bringing a love of music to his students is one of his greatest sources of joy.

Mr. Ryan also offers popular private lessons to students who wish to cultivate their skills further outside the classroom.

In This Section