Our Core Values

• Musical Creativity

• Diligence

• Self Expression

• Individuality

 Our Core Purpose

We are dedicated to uncovering children's natural music talents by developing their rhythmic, lyrical, harmonic and instrumental languages and skills.  These languages and skills comprise "musicianship".  We are dedicated to teaching and exercising children's musicianship so they will have a lifelong source of inner expression, creativity, happiness and fulfillment.

The Learning Process

At The Children's School of Music, we learn by doing.

Imitative singing

To develop pitch and learn melodic patterns.

By copy... by ear with hints... by ear

Repetition is critical to develop musical memory.  Short patterns will soon become a part of longer phrases.  Phrases will become songs!  The voice is our first and most musical instrument.  When patterns are heard by the ear, sung by the voice, then played with singing on the keyboard - a wonderful circle of musical learning is achieved.

 

Solfege singing

To develop the musical language that opens the ears, frees the voice and enhances all keyboard playing.  Students may develop "inner" hearing, which enables them to compose and memorize music.

 

Rhythmic work

To develop a steady pulse or beat (the group experience greatly helps children develop a feeling for pulse).

 

How we learn rhythms:

• By copy clapping - to learn patterns

• Ostinato patterns - for independence

• Chant with rhythm syllables - tahn-ta-ta

• Learn proper use of rhythm instruments

Keyboard

To develop bringing music from the ear, through the voice, to the finger.  The keyboard at first serves as the "outside" music teacher, helping connect ears, eyes, fingers and minds.

 

Keyboard goals:

• To develop a good understanding of keyboard geography

• To gain good tactile and visual awareness

• To relate pitch and melodic patterns to the keyboard

• To play melodies smoothly (with simple harmony for older classes)

 

Reading skills

To develop reading experiences in an appropriate manner for specific age groups.  Reading development for younger classes will be through sight-singing activities and reading games.  Young students should internalize patterns - then read them.  Older students can experience this interlanization - but will obviously be expected to sight play sooner because of their experience with other reading activities.

 

All reading should be approached in patterns.  Go from the known to the unknown!  This will be reinforced with writing activities and quick, fun drills. 

 

Enthusiasm and enjoyment

The most important item of all!  We want your children's lives and yours to be enriched by sharing and learning music together!

 

  Links

 (to our favorite websites)

www.harmonyroadmusic.com

www.maleckimusic.com