Moonbeams®
CHILD & PARENT CLASSES - LEARN FOUNDATIONS WITH STRUCTURE
Moonbeams® is designed to support the students’ growing sense of independence. Reading becomes the primary focus for gathering information, while the songs, ensembles and keyboard repertoire incorporate early piano literature, folk songs, technique and harmonization.
Moonbeams® 3
7-9 year olds
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Moonbeams® 1 (MB1) is the entry point of the MYC® Method for 7-9 year olds. The older beginner program is designed to support the students’ growing sense of independence. Reading becomes the primary focus for gathering information, while the songs, ensembles and keyboard repertoire incorporate early piano literature, folk songs, technique and harmonization. In the first year of Moonbeams the adult needs to be in attendance each week as they assist in setting good habits in class and stay involved at home for daily review and activities which need to be done for the next class. Parents gradually ‘phase out’ of regularly attending class time through the year of Moonbeams 1.
Class details for Moonbeams® 1, 2 and 3
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• pattern reading
• scale playing with harmonizing chords in 6 keys
• keyboard repertoire with plentiful supplementary pieces for holidays and extra challenges
• rhythm and keyboard ensemble experiences
• harmonization and composition experiences
• transposing within 5 finger patterns
• understanding and utilizing legato and staccato touches
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• Study of minimum of eight keys with continued study of scales harmonized with primary chords.
• Practice of accompaniment patterns including broken chords and playing rhythmic patterns.
• Study of three forms of the minor scale: natural, harmonic, and melodic.
• Study of inversions of triads
• Study of cadences. (A cadence is a progression of chords.)
• Study of 6/8 time signature.
• Expanded study of: note names to include ledger lines and articulation with an introduction to accents.
• Introduction to simple analysis.
• Continued practice in: harmonization and transposition, composition and arranging.
• Continued listening for dynamics, meter, articulation, form, and accompaniment styles.
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Moonbeams® 3 is the final level in Music for Young Children®. When MYC was written, it was with the intent to integrate and prepare our students to take their first piano exam and theory exam at the end of their MB3 year. It is an exciting year for students, parents and teachers as these children have now gained so much knowledge, understanding and appreciation of music and piano playing that they are able to manipulate, pull-from and engage all the learning they have received throughout their journey in their MYC classes, whether it is through theory, composition, and/or the musically shown (and heard) through their playing.
Music for Young Children®
The Music for Young Children classes provide the best quality music education to young children by blending the pleasure and the joy of music making with sound instruction. Our MYC classes promote the happy habit of learning music so, much of what we do is in tune with the ages of the children. Adults, don’t underestimate the power of small sips of fun music learning for these young children. Our hope is to help each child internalize many music skills and then to naturally use them in music making now and as they grow.
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The child’s adult in class is an integral part of the program. The adults role is not hard. The adult is in charge of getting the correct page open more quickly than the child would be able, taking out and completing the putting away of learning props, and being the child’s “music page conductor” with the pointer stick on the music page while the child is playing a song at the keys of the piano. They also are in charge of the assignment paper and are to assist the child in 5 to 10 minutes of “music time at home” 5 to 6 days each week. Something magical happens with a simple short review every day. The child remembers so much more and feels much more confident in class.
Children up to 8 years old may enter the MYC music learning. The oldest children beginning MYC will enter in the Moonbeams or My Choice books. In 3 years they complete the skills and theory to begin private instruction in piano at the intermediate level or begin another instrument. Because the child has already gained many skills in pitch, rhythm, staff reading, and additional foundational skills they are very ready to launch into advancing piano skills or a new instruments’ specific skills.
When a child completes this program they are ready to prepare to take an international level 1 theory and/or piano exam, having experienced all the elements for the exam. For example, if a 2 year old child began in Sunrise at 2 years and continues in an MYC class each year, by the time they turn 8 they will have completed the foundational skills of piano and music theory and will be ready to study any instrument or to begin piano literature in lessons - Amazing! Through these years the children are having fun enjoying the happy habit of learning music.
A personal note from Karen Welsh our Chief Manager here at Mapleford. “I’ve started this focus of music learning late in my career and I am very committed to the need of very strong content in a playful and caring environment for childrens learning. My primary desire is to bring very strong foundational music content to children before the age of 8. As always, as life does, we are surprised that the path we choose becomes more ‘interesting’ than we anticipated. So to for me in creating Mapleford Studio LLC. In the back of my mind I always thought I would add more classes than just Music Pups but I didn’t expect All ages. I am thrilled to be able to maintain my commitment to strong content in foundational learning for all ages - and we have a lot of fun and support each other in the music learning journey.”