William A. Welch Sr. Elementary School Music
A Song in
My Heart
Our school district’s elementary music program fosters appreciation for the arts with a nurturing and compassionate spirit. We are committed to enhancing every student’s understanding of music as an expressive force. We continually strive to provide experiences that help our students acquire skills while working cooperatively in a group setting. Our department is proud to offer many student performance opportunities throughout the school year. Check out the Peabody Public Schools Performing Arts Calendar for event details.
The William W. Welch Sr. Elementary School Music Program features music classes that foster students’ love for music, encourage them to create, perform and respond with musical ideas, and give them a solid musical foundation to build on. Music class is a safe, developmentally inclusive environment for all students. Singing, playing instruments and moving to music, along with musical games, take place in every class. "Sound before symbol" pedagogy means that students move and create in open space to learn the language of elementary music, including resonant and accurate singing tone.
Kate Palk
Mrs. Palk grew up in Georgetown, Massachusetts, where she began playing violin and studying voice at age five. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Beloit College and a Master of Creative Arts degree from Lesley University. Mrs. Palk has studied violin and voice with Donna Hurd and Dr. Marshall Tuttle. Since beginning her teaching career in 2001, Mrs. Palk has served as General Music Teacher at the Brown, Burke, Center, Kiley, West, and Welch schools. She has taught Chorus and has piloted a successful ukulele program. Mrs. Palk is an active member in the WGTCC as a church musician and Sunday School teacher. She enjoys nurturing the Palk family singers and sharing her love of music with others. Mrs. Palk lives in Gloucester with her husband Rob, their children Jordan, Julia, Anthony and their Siberian Husky, Dixie. Contact Mrs. Palk with any questions about General Music or Chorus.
The mission of Mrs. Palk’s music classes is to develop a greater understanding and love of music through singing, reading, playing instruments, moving, listening (analyzing) and composing.
We will follow directions and try our best so that we all experience a positive appreciation and an understanding of music in accordance with the Peabody Public Schools Music Curriculum, the Massachusetts Frameworks and the National Standards.
Mrs. Palk will provide opportunities for highest student achievement by experiencing music through classroom participation and performances.
Check out the Welch Elementary School Music Curriculum Map to learn more about the music we’re creating at each grade level.
Peabody Public Schools Elementary Music Curriculum and Assessment Documents
Fifth Grade Instrumental Music Program
Fifth Grade Honor Band
All-City Chorus