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This is an amazing four-year keyboard curriculum that serves as a bridge from the early childhood music and movement experience to the introduction of private or school instrumental study. Regardless of the instrument to be studied, all children are most successful in playing an instrument (and sticking with it) when they have already had a strong aural and movement foundation.
This very special keyboard course incorporates this maturing child's love of social interaction among peers. An energetic, moving, shaking, dancing, drumming, not-your-parents piano method kind of class that captivates the minds and bodies of this age group. This is also a "once in a lifetime" opportunity to have the fun and excitement of the group learning experience. Private lessons are available the rest of a child's life, but in this developmental time of 7-10 years, the heart and soul of a child can be captured by nurturing the deep, deep love of music and music making so that it can continue for a lifetime.
The goal of the curriculum is to lead children to true music literacy: i.e. he/she can give meaning, phrases and styles to the notes on the page and not only just read them, but also improvise and compose with them. Music literacy is seeing what you hear and hearing what you see. The class environment follows the progression of body to mind and ear to eye pathway in learning to play the keyboard.
This age group is entering a new phase of physical cognitive development. They seek new challenges. Generally, this age child has a greater aptitude for refined movement. Patterns, codes, symbols are now much more interesting to this child's mind.
Jane Healy states, "after years of studying young children's learning, I am increasing convinced that patterns are the key to intelligence…"
We will use the MUSIC MAKERS: AT THE KEYBOARD curriculum books as our mainstay, supplementing with Dalcroze, theory pages, many, many games, extra movement and dances and of course fun at the keyboard. During the course of the 3rd year, Music Maestros, we will transition into using the Suzuki Piano School. The listening repertoire is greatly varied all four years, covering literature from the Baroque to the 21st century; from different cultures and continents; styles from classical to folk to jazz; instrumentation from solo piano to chamber music, full orchestra, jazz and folk ensembles. With such a great wealth of listening possibilities, students will experience so much music passively and actively.
| Class | TBD |
| Adult Participation: | ADULT OBSERVATION would be a better term and it is recommended that the accompanying adult would be able to sit in on the class (quietly, inconspicuously) so as to be aware of what the class is learning and to be better able to follow up with the student at home. As usual, there is an ADULT PARTICIPATION time at the last 30 minutes of each class, when all join in together for learning and activities (not to worry, no solos expected). |
Session Dates
| Fall/Winter/Spring 2007 | 30 weeks | September 17, 2007 | May 13 2008 |
| Summer 2008 | 6/8 weeks | June 23, 2008 | August 2/16, 2008 |
| Fall/Winter/Spring 2008 | 30 weeks | September 15, 2008 | May 16, 2009 |
| Summer 2009 | 6/8 weeks | TBD |
| Fall/Winter/Spring 2009 | 15 weeks | September 14, 2009 | May 2010 |
Tuition
| Year Term | 945 | 895 |
| Summer Session 2008 | TBD | TBD |
| * Fee is divided into $700 for tuition, $180 for materials in the Year Term, $45 for new families or $15 for returning families for non-refundable registration fee. Flat fee for both summer sessions. |
Payment Options
Because the fees are for the entire year, families may choose one of the following options:
- Option I: One (1) payment only due with registration.
- Option II: Two (2) payments. First payment, either $475.00 or $450.00 accordingly, must accompany registration. The second payment (same amount as the first depending upon new or returning family) is due no later than December 1 of the current academic year.
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