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From First Notes to Final Curtain: Music at JTD

By Dr. Abby Tyrrell
Since The John Thomas Dye School's founding in 1929, Music has been an essential part of the student experience.Through our robust music program, all students have the opportunity to explore their identity as performers, creators, and members within our vibrant community. Not only does the music curriculum support grade level academics, but it also supports the social emotional learning of our students. They learn language for a range of emotions through music, how to listen and appreciate others’ work, collaborate, demonstrate courage and make mistakes, all in a supportive environment.
There are two primary performance spaces at JTD: The stage in John Dye Hall, where our annual Carols program as well as grade level performances take place, and the stage in the gym, where we do our quarterly Music For Lunch Bunch talent show as well as the annual Grade 6 Musical. These spaces provide students with the experience of performing in both formal and informal settings, helping them develop confidence, adaptability, and a love for live performance. Instrumental learning is another cornerstone of the JTD Music program. All students begin with unpitched percussion and Orff barred instruments such as glockenspiels and xylophones. Recorder instruction begins in Grade 2, followed by ukulele in Grade 4. As students develop technical skills, they also learn to compose and accompany their own songs, using these instruments as vehicles for creativity and self-expression.

Throughout a student’s time at JTD, they will have a variety of grade-level performances which center around homeroom learning. From First Grade Feast, to Grade 2 Biography Day, Grade 3 Landmarks, Grade 4 Identity Showcase, and the Grade 5 Social Studies Presentation, there are a variety of performances throughout a student’s journey at JTD. Our kindergarteners start with exposure to singing, dance and storytelling through movement. In the winter, they present a Nutcracker dance show where they work as a grade to bring their version of the Tchaikovsky ballet to life. At the end of the kindergarten year, they perform in the Kindergarten Celebration, a music show demonstrating their learning over the course of the school year and a true celebration of childhood. Each year students gain a greater knowledge of music history, theory and technical performance skills and grow in their confidence speaking and singing in front of an audience. By the time they get to Grade 6, our students star in a full-scale musical theater show with the students participating in every aspect of the performance. From singing and acting, to staging, choreography, lighting, and stage crew, every child has a critical role in the production and the end result is a beautiful culmination of their time at JTD. Through this experience students work as a team, cultivating character and helping each other through the ups and downs of putting together such a big project. 

By the time they graduate, JTD students have developed not only a strong foundation in musical knowledge and performance, but also a deep appreciation for collaboration, creativity, and courage. Through music, they discover their voices and carry forward a lifelong love of the arts that continues to enrich their lives well beyond their years at The John Thomas Dye School.

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The John Thomas Dye School


11414 Chalon Road
Los Angeles, CA 90049
Phone: (310) 476-2811
The John Thomas Dye School admits students of any race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other school-administered programs.

Located In Los Angeles, CA, John Thomas Dye is an independent school for grades K-6. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.