Music at The Country Day School is taught by instrumental and vocal music specialists. The Department operates in the School's state-of-the-art Performing Arts Centre, where music students at all levels are exposed to many different genres, cultures and historical periods of music. Students are consistently challenged to combine their listening skills and imagination to elicit a response to different musical styles.

CDS students are known for developing their performance skills to a very high level. Through the use of repertoire-based instruction, they are able to advance their musicianship skills, thereby preparing them for a lifetime of music appreciation and music making.

Vocal Music

Students begin learning through song and movement in the primary years. Beginning in Grade 2, students become part of a formal choir that will prepare them for the primary and junior choirs. In addition to the curriculum, vocal music is an extra-curricular option starting in Grade 4 and continuing through Grade 12. Students may be part of:
 
  • Junior Choir (Grade 4-6)
  • Middle School Choir (Grade 7-8)
  • Senior School Choir (Grade 9-12)

Instrumental Music

In Grades 3 and 4, students are introduced to the recorder and Orff instruments. In Grade 5, students are placed on a band instrument – either brass or woodwind. Students’ curricular classes continue with instrumental instruction from Grade 6 through Grade 12, with many extra-curricular ensemble options including:
 
  • Middle School Band (Grade 7-8)
  • Middle School Jazz Band (Grade 7-8)
  • Senior School Jazz Band (Grade 9-12)
  • Senior School Concert Band (Grade 9-12)
In addition to performing on campus at assemblies, concerts and CDS events, many of our vocal and instrumental ensembles attend festivals and local events in our community. These include Ontario Band Festival, Heritage Music Festival, with travel to such destinations as Boston, New York and Chicago to attend workshops and additional performances. All of our Senior groups also have the opportunity to travel internationally to countries such as Budapest, Prague, Italy and Spain.
 

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.

School Information

Junior, Middle and Senior Schools
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5 

(905) 833-1220 

communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca

Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.