Early Years Music Programme at QYMC
At QYMC we are keen for children to start experiencing practical music from an early age and so we have four levels of introductory classes.
Baby Steps is for children ages 18 months to 3 years accompanied by a parent. They develop their listening skills, gross motor skills and musical appreciation through singing, musical games, movement and using hand-held percussion instruments.
First Steps is for children aged 3 to 4. The class starts to build their love and appreciation for music through singing, musical actions songs and use of percussion instruments. The class is half an hour long and does not require a parent to stay in the lesson.
Introduction to Music Level 1 is for children in Reception. Here the children build on the foundation of the previous two classes and are introduced to the elements of music through action songs, singing, playing percussion and musical games. The classes are half an hour long.
Introduction to Music Level 2 is for children in year 1 and includes our extremely popular taster element, in which children have the opportunity to try three instruments throughout the year, having 30 minute group lessons on cello, violin and fife for a term each. In addition to this, they also continue to develop their general musicianship through singing, playing percussion instruments and musical games. The class is one hour in total and fees include the hire of instruments. These classes are an excellent springboard to starting to learn an instrument, preparing students with basic aural skills as well as allowing them to try instruments ideally suited to their age group.
Early Years Curriculum
Across our 4-year programme we aim:
- To prepare students for accelerated progress in their chosen instrument once they graduate from the programme.
- To develop an enthusiasm for music in our youngest students.
- To provide valuable interactions with a wide range of musical styles.
- To inspire a passion for music through showcasing the musical proficiency of our teachers.
By the end of Baby Steps children should be able to
- Recognise some songs and remember some accompanying actions.
- Shake and/or hit hand-held percussion instruments
- Move to music in a variety of tempos.
- With support, sing a song.
- Follow some performance instructions such as start and stop.
In addition, by the end of First Steps students should
- Be able to recognise and make loud and quiet sounds.
- Be able to follow and lead some performance instructions such as loud and quiet, fast and slow.
- Confidently perform a song perhaps from memory.
- Move and or play in time to music in a variety of tempos.
In addition, by the end of Introduction to Music 1 students should
- Be able to play a hand held percussion instrument in time with a pulse
- Be able to recognise fast and slow tempos
- Understand that the music is written in notes and that the shape of the note tells us how long the sound is held for.
- Be able to recognise some note values and remember how long they are, perhaps being able to perform a rhythm from notation.
In addition, by the end of Introduction to Music 2 students should
- Have awareness of how sound is made on a variety of instruments.
- Be able to play open strings on violin and cello and 2-3 finger notes on recorder.
- Understand that music is written on a stave and maybe be able to identify some pitches.
- Confidently perform a song from memory, singing in time and observing some performance directions such as loud and quiet.
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