Tidewater’s music program is based on the Orff Schulwerk approach to learning music and movement which invites our students to learn by what they do naturally – play and experiment! Tidewater students encounter the elemental skills and concepts of music- making through playful and focused experiences singing, dancing and playing instruments. Folk songs and dances from America and around the world are performed using authentic techniques, languages and materials. They serve to introduce concepts such as note reading, harmony, and rhythm that are then explored further through problem solving, collaboration and creation. Students can be found singing and dancing throughout the Tidewater campus; spontaneous folk dances occur on the blacktop and young voices in joyous song can be heard on the playground and in the outdoor classroom. Students may also study piano, voice, ukulele and band instruments privately. The mission of our music program is to provide a broad and diverse musical education that fosters a love and appreciation of music for a lifetime.