Vocal Music
From their first week as kindergartners, Webberville students are introduced to the joys of music and are continually encouraged to explore their musical creativity as they grow. Through the experience of listening and performing, students learn that music is a universal language that inspires us both emotionally and physically.
Elementary Music Program
The Elementary Music Program consists of students in grades K-5. Our students are introduced to a wide array of musical genres, all while experiencing the basic elements of music. These include rhythm, melody, harmony, form, expression, timbre, style, and texture. Students will develop musical skills such as singing, playing, reading, creating and moving to music.
Research in music education has shown that music learning happens through a process that is similar to language learning. In order for children to truly understand music, it is important that five musical vocabularies be developed in a specific sequence. These include: listening, speaking, thinking/conversing, reading, and writing.
This is why Webberville Elementary students first learn music "by ear" (through listening, moving, singing/chanting, and improvising) before learning to read and write music notation. Students then can learn to read and write music by associating notation with music sounds rather than traditional letter or time-value names, such as B-flat or quarter note.
Goals of the Webberville Elementary Music Program:
- To provide the best possible musical environment, rich in a variety of tonalities, meters, and styles.
- To help all students develop musical understanding and skills.
- To help each student achieve his/her musical potential through individualized instruction.
- To lay the foundation for a lifetime of music making and enjoyment.
Adapted from "How Children Learn Music" by Dr. Heather Nelson-Shouldice, Assistant Professor of Music Education at Eastern Michigan University
"If you can not teach me to fly, teach me to sing."
- J.M. Barrie
Choral Music Program
The Webberville Choral Music Program invites students in grades 6-12 to continue their musical education journey with vocal music. An advancement of the music classes offered in elementary, Choral Music offers a much deeper exploration in and development of musicianship skills. Students are also encouraged to develop their creative imagination and are introduced to dramatic conventions with the addition of Musical Theatre within this robust curriculum.
Objectives of the Choral Music Program
- To develop correct vocal habits and techniques
- To develop musicianship skills (sight-reading, rhythmic training, ear training, reading music notation, etc)
- To identify musical elements and perform expressively in various styles of music
- To be a team player
- To develop confidence within yourself
- To learn proper performance etiquette both as a performer and a listener
- To participate actively in social and musical events throughout the year
- To develop a desire to continue musical experiences and advocate for music
- To express ideas, thoughts, and evaluations about musical performances in conversation and through writing
- To be communicators of text, sharing the message of the song within ourselves and to our audiences
"Working Together to Build Choral Excellence through Dedication, Performance and Friendship."
-Webberville Choir Motto
Choir Achievements
2023 MSVMA 6-7-8-9 State Honors Choir
Jayla Dale - Soprano
Ethan West - Tenor
2022 MSVMA 6-7-8-9 Regional Honors Choir
Jayla Dale - Soprano
Ethan West - Tenor
MSVMA District 8 HS Solo & Ensemble Festival
Webberville High School Choir - Division I Rating
January 31, 2020
2020 MSVMA State HS TTBB Honors Choir
Dylan Branch - Bass 2
2020 MSVMA State MS SA Honors Choir
Maeve Chapman - Soprano
Maggie Monroe - Soprano
Bree Stanfield - Soprano
2019 MSVMA Regional Honors Choir
Dylan Branch - Bass 2
Jennica Vaughn - Alto 1
2019 MSVMA MS Regional Honors Choir
Maeve Chapman - Soprano
Maggie Monroe - Soprano
Bree Stanfield - Soprano
MSVMA State Choral Festival
Webberville Middle School Choir - Division I Rating
May 2, 2019
MSVMA District 8 Middle School Choral Festival
Webberville Middle School Choir - Division I Rating
March 22, 2019
MSVMA District 8 High School Choral Festival
Webberville High School Choir - Division II Rating
February 26, 2019
2018 MSVMA All-State HS SATB Honors Choir
Austin Wakeman - Bass 1
MSVMA District 8 High School Choral Festival
Webberville High School Choir - Division II Rating
February 14, 2018
2018 MSVMA State HS SATB Honors Choir
Austin Wakeman - Bass 1
2017 MSVMA HS Regional Honors Choir
Leah Nichols - Alto 1
Austin Wakeman - Bass 1
About Our Director
Ms. Kara Tredway earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Music Education from Alma College in 2022. She has been involved with music for as long as she can remember, being in both band and choir in middle and high school and continued with choir throughout college. Ms. Tredway has been involved with the Michigan School of Vocal Music Association (MSVMA) for many years, having volunteered at Solo and Ensemble Festivals, as well as District and State level Choral Festivals.
Ms. Tredway lives in Lansing with her friends and her one-eyed cat, Hubble. In her free time, Ms. Tredway likes spending time with her friends, traveling, baking, and playing her Nintendo Switch.
