We feature a full line of MusikGarten programs. Each one is carefully designed by internationally respected early music specialist Lorna Lutz Heyge, Ph.D. to be truly developmentally appropriate. Children will enjoy the pure fun of these classes. Parents will appreciate the educational value.
"Piano Keyboards " (ages 7- 8 or continuing students.)

Students will recognize tonal and rhythm patterns, and will sing and play what they see. They will move and dance, and apply those feelings to music at the keyboard. They will play songs they know by ear and learn new songs by sight. The class will construct ensembles of all sizes on many various instruments. The parent is an integral participant in the required daily practice.

"Family Music" (ages 16 mo. - 3 1/2 yrs)
Children sing, dance, play rhythm instruments, do finger plays, and actively listen to sounds. And because adults participate right along, the children get to see their parents modeling their own appreciation of music. Classes meet for 30 minutes each week for 15 weeks. This class is not only an introduction to music; it is also a chance to begin working on some basic musical concepts such as keeping a steady beat, fast vs. slow, high vs. low, etc. An all-around fun class!
"This was a perfect time to start (18 mo.) because she is just exploding with her language development! She learned so many new words due to the class and songs!" Joanie Gerberich, mother of Kendall, age 2 and Grace, age 6 mo.
"Cycle of Seasons" (ages 3 - 4 1/2 yrs)
During this 45-minute class, students and teacher sort out some major musical concepts using themes from nature - a subject that fascinates this age group! We sing, dance, play instruments, act out musical stories, and carefully listen to sound qualities. Tempo, dynamics, expression, and the ever-important steady beat are covered; special care is given to the development of the singing voice, especially the often-neglected upper or head register. The class ends with a family sharing segment - a wonderful mix of young students, adoring parents, and siblings of all sizes joining together in singing with gusto and swinging in circle dances! Each 15-week semester centers on a different season's natural sights and sounds.
"Excellent teacher. Doesn't allow class to get out of control. Very patient with the children (and parents)." Kim Dickens, mother of Delaney, age 3 1/2
"Music Makers at Home" (ages 4 - 5 1/2 yrs)
Wow! Music Makers! This is the class where it all comes together - vocal development, movement, listening, and instruments. Fantastic natural settings (The Woodlands, The Cattail Marsh, The Seashore) prompt discussions, imitations of animals (in movement and sound), related poetry (a neglected art form!), singing and dancing. Before the children know it, they're composing and orchestrating their own pieces, mastering melodic and rhythmic fragments (for use as musical building blocks), and identifying instruments by sight and sound. Kids become musicians and creativity blossoms! Orff Instrument ensembles guarantee a balance of challenge and comfort for each child, but with an impressively layered end result. Classes are 1 hour long, grouped into four 15-week sequential semesters spanning two years.
"I think it's wonderful that there is such a good music program out there that teaches kids about music basics and theory at such an early age." Carol Byron, mother of Matthew, age 5, and Kelly, age 8
"Music Makers Around the World" (ages 5 1/2 - 7 yrs)
This is Year 2 of the sequential Music Makers program. Learning-through-play continues, with different cultures as the themes (British Isles, Native America, Germany). The cultures provide the songs, dances, stories and ensembles to aid in vocal development (always concentrating on the often-ignored upper or head voice), movement (wonderful, intricate dances help coordination and concentration), listening (music and instruments of each culture widen the aural repertoire), and instruments (teamwork brings the layered-pattern ensembles to life). There is more writing than in Year 1, and more melodic and rhythmic patterns. Students dissect song to find patterns: reading music begins! Graduates are ready for Betsy's Keyboard Class or private instrumental instruction, and will progress faster than their peers.
"In two++ (three!) years, he's never said, 'I don't want to go to class.' Betsy understands children and how to tap into their innate affinity for music. Our son has learned so much - about rhythm, theory, notes, songs, instruments, etc., and the learning is fun and natural." Patty Gropp, mother of Chris, age 6
For more info: 630-778-8038
musikids@att.net
 

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