Group Programs: A Bridge for Musical Exploration and Creativity

Is your child interested in moving beyond Music Together? But isn't quite ready for private lessons? This class is an ideal segue for those who may be too old for Music Together but not quite ready for Recorder Club or private lessons. Using songs, chants, tonal and rhythm patterns, and movement, children will explore music fundamentals and be introduced to the basics of musical notation.

Includes some hands-on exploration using recorders, xylophones and keyboard.

Using music, expressive movement and drama skills, students create songs & stories, and explore character development as they work together in presenting a musical production. This program runs for up to 26 weeks for the duration of the school year (through April), starting September 22nd and resuming January 5th, 2006. .Registrations will be accepted during the course of the school year if space permits. Please call the office regarding mid-year registration and tuition. Please note: no make-ups for snow days, teacher sickness or student absences.

Music and theater enhance a child’s self esteem, help one to problem-solve, strengthen one’s listening skills, and encourage cooperation and interaction with others.

In a small group setting, students learn to play simple songs from memory and learn basic note reading skills. The student’s sense of rhythm is developed through imitation and improvisation. For students who have played the recorder previously, note reading skills and musical knowledge are expanded, and duet playing is introduced.

When joining PCMS parents ask us, “What is music theory?" This ‘sometimes-perceived-as-esoteric’ area of music study, within the classical tradition, allows one to explore how music is composed – from understanding the basics like the proper use of key and time signatures to the larger picture of what it takes to compose a symphony. Music Theory touches upon understanding the scale structure, internal relationships, harmonic progression and chord structure, cadences, modulation, chromaticism and more. At PCMS, we include “Musicianship” in the title of our class because our ultimate goal is to create well-rounded musicians. This requires the ability to put the theoretical aspects of music to good use as we explore making music. Our classes include additional activities that would not typically be found in a pure ‘music theory’ class.

PCMS offers two workshops for six weeks each summer with voice teacher Silvia Irving. Ideal for the adult choir member (or for high school juniors or seniors), these classes also offer a great overview for students considering private lessons in the future.