Registration starts January 7, 2008
Early
Childhood Music Classes - Spring 2008 Session
Tuesday
- All sessions are 10 weeks in duration and will begin the week of January 28th
- Fees for 10 week sessions are $120 per student
- Parental participation is required
For more information and to register, call Liz Delano at the JSO CMS 782-3221 or by email
About our instructor:
Whitney Muncy received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Evansville and received her Masters of Music in Music Education from Michigan State University. Whitney is a fully certified early childhood music instructor and currently teaches in Eaton Rapids Public Schools.
Information regarding the benefits and philosophy of Music Learning Theory is available through the Jackson Symphony Orchestra.
Philosophy:
Children learn language by extensive amounts of listening and experimenting and eventually reading and writing. In the same way, children need to hear a wide variety of music and experiment by singing, moving, and eventually by reading and creating music. Early childhood music classes are designed to create a rich music environment for children to interact. Classes include:
- Singing and chanting in a wide variety of tonalities and meters
- Age-appropriate movement activities
- Exposure to tonal and rhythm patterns
- Exploration of simple percussion instruments
- Classes also provide an atmosphere for your child to interact with others near their age
Parent’s/Guardian’s Role:
- Parents/Guardians should participate in class and serve as a good example for your child.
- Encourage but do not force your child to participate. They are absorbing and will participate when they are ready.
- Please do not bring food, drink, or toys to class. This can distract other children.
- Create a musical environment at home. Ask your teacher for suggestions!
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Why do you use so many songs and chants without words? When songs or chants are presented with text, the children tend to focus on the text rather than the musical content. The texts, in such a case, inhibit music learning.
- I am worried that my child is not participating in class. What should I do? Your child will participate when he or she is ready. Some children learn best by watching and silently absorbing. Some students who sit quietly or wander around the room seeming to not pay attention will achieve at high levels when ready. They are listening and learning by the exposure. Forcing a child to participate could lead them to resent music rather than enjoy it.
- Why don’t you use more instruments? Children have not developed the fine motor coordination to play many instruments. Children also seem to respond more quickly when musical elements are presented by the human voice. We include some playing of instruments to allow children to explore timbre and because it’s fun!