Early Childhood Music
Early Childhood Music: Music Fundamentals
Ages 3 to 7
When: Fall and Spring Sessions
Tuition: $415 per session + $20 registration fee
Group Piano and Movement
Ages 4 to 5
When: Fall and Spring Sessions
Tuition: $550
Crowden's early childhood music classes introduce musical building blocks and develop elements of collaborative music making in delightful interactive settings.
Ages 3 to 7
Crowden's Early Childhood Music classes begin with the spontaneous delight children take in interacting with music, and build music skills essential for instrumental study.
Music Fundamentals
Course Description
Earlier classes develop musical sensitivities, build skill in rhythmic movement and voice, and provide exposure to simple folk repertoire. Older classes remain experiential but focus on concepts of rhythm, pitch and melody, dynamics and tempo, their notations, and their identification by ear in performance contexts.
Developed by the Swiss music educator and composer Emile Jaques-Dalcroze more than 100 years ago, the Dalcroze Method is widely taught in Europe, South America, Australia, and Asia, as well as in the major music and dance schools of North America. Eurhythmics is an introduction to the language of music. Children learn to listen for specific musical elements through games that surprise and challenge, sharpen their reactions and reflexes, and give them an outlet for imagination. Using this approach, children are exposed to the concepts of rhythm, tempo, dynamics, meter, pitch, accent, and pattern, while making use of their natural instincts to react to music by moving and singing.
Dalcroze Eurhythmics uses creative movement, songs, and improvisation to teach children to respond to music with their bodies, increasing coordination, spatial awareness, focus, and cooperation in a collaborative, social environment. Graduates will be well-prepared to enjoy, and succeed in, instrumental study as well as prep-level music theory and ear training classes.
Children may enroll for the first time in any session, but each session contains new repertoire, and continues to build upon material and concepts taught in the previous sessions.
Participants are urged to wear comfortable clothing for movement (shorts or leotards). Bare feet are preferred, although non-slip light dance shoes may be worn (not sneakers).
Saturdays
9:30–10:15am (ages 3–4 with parents)
10:30–11:15am (ages 4–5)
11:45am–12:30pm (ages 5–7)
Fall Session: September 21 to December 14 (no class November 30 for Thanksgiving Break)
Spring Session: January 25 to April 26 (no classes on February 15 or April 19)
Ages 4 to 5
Group Piano and Movement
Course Description
This class will include learning the elements of music, including keyboard skills, concepts of rhythm and pitch, phrasing and dynamics.
It will draw upon the Dalcroze approach, or music education through movement, and may include other instruments, to provide a more varied and meaningful learning experience.
Regular attendance is required.
Tuesdays
3:45–4:30pm
4:30–5:15pm
Fall Session: September 17 to December 10 (no class November 28 for Thanksgiving Break)
Spring Session: January 21 to April 29 (no classes on February 15 or April 19)
How to Enroll
Complete our online registration form. Registrations are accepted until the class is filled. Full payment of tuition and fees should be included with the registration form.