Pre-School Music Program

The preschool music program is a fun group class for children ages 3-5, designed to teach the basics of music. All classes are limited to 8 children per class and the classes are for half an hour, once a week. Our program covers the three basic foundations and of music and other elements in great detail.

The classes cover:

• Rhythm
• Melody
• Elementary note and notation recognition
• Discovering movement and music
• Learning to sing and learning to listen
• Making music with percussion instruments
• Recognition of orchestral instruments

Rhythm:
Children are taught about rhythm through various methods including Orff, Kodaly and Dalcroze based principles. Our activities involve developing an awareness of rhythm through singing games, clapping and movement games, the use of many percussion instruments such as hand drums, shakers, rhythm sticks, triangles, etc. The children also learn the basic time values of notes.

Melody:
Many concepts designed to develop an awareness of melody are covered during the year. Children learn songs and are familiarized with phrasing in music, pitch, major and minor, loud-soft, high-low, and more. The development of the ear is stressed through imaginative songs and activities.

Notation:
We teach children how to recognize musical symbols such as the staff, treble clef, bass clef, quarter, half and whole notes, the musical alphabet and keyboard orientation. It’s like learning your ABC’s in preparation for reading.

Instrument Recognition:
Children are exposed to and learn to recognize the various instruments in the orchestra, both by sound and sight, by matching sound with the correct instruments.

This program will aid in preparing children to progress to learning a musical instrument of his/her choice when age appropriate. This class also prepares children to progress to dance classes. Our goal is to help every child develop a life-long love of music.