Group Classes

Moving to music and singing together!

Through varied musical activities children and parents will gain an understanding of Music regarding its fundamental concepts; melody, rhythm, pulse/beat, pitch, harmony, form and key.

Further for benefits for children include an increase in social skills, concentration power, alertness, confidence, self-esteem, spontaneous creation (body and voice), a good musical memory, a quicker understanding of notated music and rhythm, a strong influence on instrumental learning and more acute listening skills.

Should a student or parent wish to take up an instrument their progress will instantly be much more smooth and enjoyable. Receiving training myself in the Dalcroze and Kodaly Methods had a tremendous effect on my understanding of music, my instrumental learning, performance presence and quality of music making.

 

Benefits for Parents

• Learn an understanding of the musical language with your child
• Spend quality time with your child
• Enjoy the therapeutic benefits of music
• Get good exercise through moving to music
• Enjoy seeing your child grow in their knowledge and confidence
• Have fun and a laugh
• Teach what we have covered in class to your child at home
• Build on your own confidence through experiencing quality music
• Learning an instrument will feel easier should you decide to take one up

 

Methods of Teaching

Classes will use the Dalcroze Eurhythmics Approach and the Kodaly Method.

The Dalcroze Approach (Swiss) focuses on movement (i.e. moving to music played), and the Kodaly Method (Hungarian) allows students to experience music making through Solfa singing (doh, re, mi, fa, and so on).

Zoltan Kodaly (1882 – 1976) was a Hungarian composer, linguist, pedagogue, philosopher and ethnomusicologist. He is known internationally for his Kodaly Method developing an understanding of music through singing. He believed that the student should experience music making through Solfa singing (doh, re, mi, and so on) before taking up an instrument, which naturally trains the students inner ear (hearing notes in their head).

Emile Jaques-Dalcroze (1865 – 1950) was of French Swiss origin and initially known as a composer. While a professor at the Geneva Conservatory he identified severe rhythm problems in one of his students. Focusing on movement it began from walking in a rhythm that was steady and smooth. He proposed that getting into his students sense of movement could then influence their execution of rhythm while playing the instrument. It was proved tremendously effective and within a short time Dalcroze Eurhythmics classes were being used towards students conquering their musical problems.

 

Dates: Please call/email Melanie to express your interest, as she is new to the area.

Venue: yet to be confirmed – area: Tain, Milton, Invergordon, Dingwall, Inverness

Length of Classes: 45 minutes

Attire/Dress: Comfortable clothes and soft flat shoes

Price: tbc