Goshen has outstanding programs in music and art — evident by the high number of participating students and the enormous support shown by the community. Goshen boasts a number of award-winning students musicians and artists. Its annual drama and musical productions are performed to a packed audience year after year.
Music in our schools
Scotchtown Avenue Elementary School
Kindergarten, first, and second grade students attend one 40 minute music class each week. Additionally, first and second grade students have chorus for half of the year once a week for 40 minutes, culminating in performances such as the Winter Concert for first grade and the Spring Moving Up Ceremony for second grade.
The elementary music program curriculum is comprehensive, purposeful, and aligns with New York State Standards. There are opportunities for all to actively participate, create, perform and respond. Some of the concepts students are introduced to include melody, rhythm, harmony, tone, form, style, dynamics, movement, singing skills, and tempo. Students will have the opportunity to experience different rhythm instruments, and will be exposed to a wide repertoire of music genres, styles and cultures.
Goshen Intermediate School
Students in grades 3-5 are offered a wide variety of music courses, including General Music, Chorus, Strings and Band. The general music classes are scheduled to meet for 40 minutes once a week.
Instrumental lessons last for a half hour, once a week. There are weekly band section rehearsals that rehearse during recess. String students have small group lessons for 30 minutes each week. During this time, instruction focuses on building basic playing skills and music reading skills.
Before-school practices are held 2-3 days per week from 8-8:50 a.m. This time allows students to utilize the skills they learn during their lessons, under the supervision of their teacher. This includes full band rehearsals twice a week, fourth and fifth grade chorus rehearsals twice a week, and the GIS Singers ensemble rehearsal once a week.
C. J. Hooker Middle School
Students in grades 6-8 are offered courses such as Basic Music Theory, American Music History, Careers in Music, Guitar, Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra and Full Orchestra.
Basic Music Theory
Students will recognize and demonstrate the difference between rhythm and steady beat; read, notate, echo, and perform melodies that include the notes of the G scale; recognize forms of music to include verse-refrain and ABA form; and compose rhythms and melodies to perform on hand drums, guitars, and other instruments
American Music History
Students will demonstrate knowledge of the origins of American popular music in the spirituals; decode and understand the hidden meaning of an Underground Railroad Spiritual; recognize a variety of music styles and performers including gospel, blues, jazz, rock n’ roll, punk, funk, country, hard rock, disco and hip hop; and demonstrate knowledge of the three styles of blues and the instrumentation that is representative of these styles (country, classic, and urban).
Careers in Music
Students will demonstrate knowledge of singer/songwriters, audio engineers, professional musicians, DJs and music in movies.
Symphony Orchestra
A performing group for intermediate level violin, viola, cello and bass players. Students rehearse every other day during 9th period and attend one small group lesson each week. The group performs two concerts a year, one in December and one in May.
Chamber Orchestra
A performing group for advanced level violin, viola, cello and bass players. Students rehearse every other day during 9th period and attend one small group lesson each week. The group performs two concerts a year, one in December and one in May.
Full orchestra
This group is open to all string students and select band students. The full orchestra meets once a week after school and performs on two concerts each year.
CJH Players Drama Club
Students interested in performance, direction, backstage crafters, and publicity are encouraged to join. The club holds one major musical production in the spring. The auditions for this production are open to all students in grades 6-8. Rehearsals are scheduled 1-2 times a week and will be held more frequently as the performance dates get closer.
Goshen High School
Students in grades 9-12 are offered a variety of music instruction, including Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Stage Band, Advanced Concert Choir, Women’s Choir, Varsity Choir, Jazz Voices, Music Theory I/II, Chamber Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra. Read more about high school music course offerings.
In addition, students may audition to perform in the spring musical or join as part of the backstage crew. Past performances include Cinderella, Mary Poppins, and Hello, Dolly!
Music students are also encouraged to try out for prestigious ensembles such as All-County, All-State, Area All-State, New York State Band Directors Association, Hudson Valley Youth Honors Bands and Carnegie Hall Honors Performance Series.
Art in our Schools
Scotchtown Avenue Elementary School
All first and second grade students attend one 40-minute art class each week. Students will learn about exploring different media, drawing and painting skills, sculpture, print making, and the Color Wheel. Interdisciplinary work with classroom and other special area teachers include the music program, concerts, and plays.
Students will also learn about art history and will study famous artists related to class work, including Matisse, O’Keefe, Pollack, da Vinci, Degas and Van Gogh.
Goshen Intermediate School
Students in grades 3-5 meet once a week for 40 minutes. Lessons are based on the teaching technique known as Discipline Based Art Education; every lesson includes at least one, if not all of the following standards:
- Art History- Who made the art? Facts and knowledge about the art and artist. Students learn how factors such as place and time influence art.
- Art Criticism- What is the work of art about? Students learn to read a painting looking for visual clues. Students learn to discuss a work of art based on their emotional response.
- Aesthetics- What is the purpose or function of the work of art? Why do we like this work of art? Students examine and use subject matter, themes, and symbols to give emotional meaning to their work.
- Studio Art- How is the work of art made? What process, skills, and techniques are used to create a work of art?
C. J. Hooker Middle School
Grade 6
Sixth grade art classes are every day for one marking period. In sixth grade, students will study art from various time periods and cultures and then create projects that reflect the ideas, materials, techniques, etc., of those cultures. Students will do a variety of drawing, painting and clay projects.
Grade 7
Seventh grade art classes meet everyday for half of the school year. In seventh grade, students will focus more on the historical artworks of American artists. Students will study a variety of art movements and then create art projects in that style. Students will further explore drawing and painting in different mediums and techniques.
Grade 8
In eighth grade, exceptional art students will participate in an Advanced Art class. Students will be selected based on their achievements and their enthusiasm for art in their previous seventh grade art class. The class meets every day throughout the entire school year. Students will create more in depth art projects that explore new media and techniques.
Art students are also encouraged to compete in the Olympics of the Visual Arts competition and Scholastic Art awards competition.
Goshen High School
Students in grades 9-12 are offered a variety of art courses, including Studio in Art, Drawing, Ceramics, Sculpture, Creative Crafts, Painting and Independent Study. Read more about high school fine and visual art courses fine and visual art courses.
Art students are also encouraged to compete in the Olympics of the Visual Arts competition and Scholastic Art awards competition.
Academics Links
More Information
The Goshen Central School District is designated as one of the Best Communities for Music Education by The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation. Goshen is one of 4 percent of districts across the nation to receive the prestigious award each year since 2017.
The Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in providing music access and education to all students.
This award recognizes that Goshen is leading the way with music learning opportunities as outlined in the new federal education legislation, the Every Student Succeeds Act.
Learn more about Goshen CSD and the NAMM Best Communities for Music Education designation.