Music for Young Children is an educational music program designed to teach music to young children and lead them directly to a minimum of Grade 2 Conservatory of Music level without further one to one piano lessons. The philosophy of the MYC program is to help children develop the happy habit of learning music.
Designed for parents who want to introduce piano to their young children, MYC provides a comprehensive music program that integrates keyboard, singing, ear training, sight reading, creative movement, rhythm, music theory and music composition. The result is a music program that provides a broader foundation than beginner private piano lessons. Children between the ages of 2 – 12 and their parents benefit by acquiring solid music education in a fun group-based environment that enhances parent/ child involvement.
There are four entry levels in the MYC program, and each stage is pedagogically designed to meet the needs of children in the appropriate aged group. The MYC lessons are fun! Since children have short attention spans, each lesson is filled with a minimum of 10 fun activitiesinvolving gross and fine motor skills.
At the completion of the highest level of MYC program, children are competent to play at the minimum of Grade 2 Conservatory of Music level. Rhythm, theory, and ear training exceed the Grade 2 level.
Even more important, the MYC graduates (and parents) are very highly motivated for further study in music and private teachers have found many of the students so well prepared for private lessons that they have accelerated them through Conservatory Grades Three and Four in one year
Children are taught in a group of maximum 6 and each child is accompanied by an adult. The program lasts from three to five years, depending on the age of the child, with each level consisting of 36 one-hour lessons.
The MYC Program
Sunrise (age 2)
Sunrise is an exciting and innovative pre-school music program for children two and three years old. The program has a flexible format that allows adaptation to a variety of age and environmental situations including daycare and nursery school centers as well as home studios of certified Music for Young Children Sunrise teachers. Children receive instruction in singing, rhythm, and ear training with teddy bears being one of the learning “tools”. This specially developed music curriculum includes stories, songs and games.
Sunshine (age 3-4)
This program, for three and four year old beginners includes large muscle experiences in beat and rhythms as well as fine motor experiences in rhythm instrument ensemble playing. By the end of the first year, Sunshines are playing in C major and middle C positions and are reading from the staff. Pre-reading experiences – such as like and different sorting, looking for patterns with colorful visual aids, gluing and coloring — are part of the program.
Sunbeams (age 5-6)
The program for kindergartners and first graders provides “big kid” lyrics to introduce concepts, finger numbers and keyboard geography. Songs and games are used to encourage and reinforce listening.
Moonbeams (age 7-12)
For the older beginner, ages seven through eleven, the program lasts three years. Our Moonbeams want “quick results” and the songs, ensembles and keyboard repertoire are designed to support their growing sense of independence. The listening activities for this age group keep the “ears open” even as reading becomes the primary focus for gathering information.
Absolute Music Performing Arts Centre 