INTRM - Introduction to Music (Ages 4-5)
Ages: 4-5
Welcome to Introduction to Music - let’s make beautiful sounds together! This course is designed to provide young students with a solid foundation in music through a singing-based pedagogy inspired by the Kodály Method. The Kodály approach emphasizes the importance of starting with the voice, our first and most natural instrument, to develop musical skills. This course is a chance for your child to learn to be in a classroom environment independently (no parental/adult caregiver required in the class) and offers a comprehensive and enjoyable approach to learning music. By focusing on singing, rhythm, pitch, movement, and creativity, we aim to instill a lifelong love of music in our students.
Course Objectives
- Vocal Development: Students will learn to use their voices effectively, discovering the joy of singing and developing their vocal range and control.
- Rhythmic Understanding: Through engaging activities, students will learn to recognize and perform simple rhythms. We will explore basic rhythmic patterns using clapping, tapping, and movement exercises.
- Pitch Recognition: Students will be introduced to the concepts of high and low sounds. We will use a variety of tools, including solfège (do-re-mi) and visual aids, to help students identify and reproduce different pitches accurately.
- Movement and Music: Movement is a crucial aspect of our classes. Students will engage in activities that combine music and motion, helping them to internalize rhythms and melodies while also fostering coordination and motor skills.
- Creative Thinking and Improvisation: We encourage students to think creatively and explore music through improvisation. These exercises will help students develop their musical intuition and confidence in expressing themselves musically.
Performance Opportunity
At the end of each term, students will showcase their progress by performing with the Prairie Kids Chorus at the Conservatory Group Program Showcase (exact dates TBD). This performance is a highlight of the course and provides a wonderful opportunity for students to share their achievements with family, friends, and the community.
This course is led by Allison Luff.
This course is a perfect starter before joining yearlong Early Learning Programs like the Prairie Kids Chorus, Music for Young Children, and the Youth Strings Program. Please note: ages 3-4 is when your child can start cello, piano, or violin lessons but most instrumental learning cannot start until around ages 8-12 when your child is the right size for the instrument's hand span, lung capacity, and overall size needs.