Musikgarten Classes at the PCPC Arts Academy
When music and movement are a natural, joyous part of childhood, children benfit greatly in many areas of life. Language development, self expression, memory skills, concentration, social interaction, fine motor skills, listening, problem solving, teamwork, goal setting, and coordination are all impacted by early music and movement education. What's more, as a child learns to play music, other area of development - creativity, family bonding, confidence, emotional development - are positivitely impacted. At the PCPC Arts Academy, we believe that by helping families and children to develop an early love for music, we are raising future worshipers to love God and use their skills for His glory. We have found that the Musikgarten curriculum is an excellent tool to foster this growth.
What is Musikgarten?
The Arts Academy at PCPC offers a series of group music lessons for children which focus on enriching children’s daily life with music. The curriculum, known as Musikgarten, utilizes musical play, which is natural in a young child, to slowly build a path to music literacy and along the way, help to grow other areas of development as they sing, play and experience music. In each class, mother and child learn to once again enjoy the games, folksongs, rhymes and lullabies that are hard to find in our culture, but desperately needed to foster an enriched life.
Musikgarten’s Programs awaken and develop your child’s inborn joy and talent for making music. Early childhood – a time of rapid growth and brain development- is the optimal time to start this musical journey. Beginning with Family Music for Babies and continuing through Music Makers At the Keyboard, your child steps across that important bridge from general music learning to instrumental skill. Choose from Musikgarten’s full spectrum of classes from birth to age 9, and share with your child the gift of music – the gift that lasts a lifetime.
Why Musikgarten?
We believe Musikgarten has no equal.
- Our early childhood program is expertly planned, executed, and supported.
- Our teachers enjoy their studios.
- And our students, well, they just seem to love coming to Musikgarten.
Age-specific Curricula
Musikgarten offers instruction which is just right for each age level - from your baby who benefits greatly from being part of a live music environment, right up through school-age children who delight in our group piano classes.
Beginning simply with singing, moving, and exploring rhythm instruments, we add levels of complexity as the children grow, expanding the singing repertoire, teaching more complex dances, and building instrumental ensembles. Children coming through the Musikgarten program inherently "know" the music they eventually play in later years in group piano instruction.
Research
Music and movement can have a dramatic effect on babies, toddlers, and older children as well. Some studies indicate that early music instruction positively impacts language and literacy development; others point to improved pattern recognition skills which are the basis for mathematical learning; still others reveal the social/emotional benefits of being involved.in music. Given our long-standing reputation as the leader in the field of affordable early music education, Musikgarten can give your child a learning advantage for life.
Expert Teachers
Musikgarten's expertly trained and well-supported teachers combine a love of music and an understanding of children and the way they learn into lessons that children and their families love using folk music and fun activities.
Experience
Our founders have been involved in early childhood music education since before it was recognized. Dr. Lorna Lutz Heyge has been developing early childhood music curricula for more than 30 years, while Audrey Sillick has been training early childhood educators for 40 years.
Eco-friendly
What's more, Musikgarten is eco-friendly. Embracing the natural world is part of the Musikgarten advantage. Musikgarten works very hard to keep packaging minimal, desiring to get the material into the students' hands, and to give them a place to keep all the pieces together. Some of our family packets - including instruments made of natural fibers - even come in cotton cloth bags. Not only is the packaging preferable in terms of aesthetics, it is durable, reusable, and not harmful to the environment in its production and disposal.
Fair Prices
All of our products and training are reasonably priced, making them accessible and affordable for everyone.
Researchers have identified certain key activities and practices that are especially helpful for preparing children to learn to read. The list reads like a summary of a Musikgarten class.
Dee Coulter, Ed.D
Neuroscience Educator
Musikgarten 2011-2012 Class Offerings
Beginning January 23, 2012 - May 14, 2012 (15 classes each semester)
Family Music for Babies
newborn - 18 months
Mondays, 11:00-11:30
Cost: $200/semester; $380/year
Play musically with your baby through bouncing and rocking songs, wiggle and pick-a-boo games, dancing moving and singing. Music play activities are designed to increase your child’s curiosity about music, to develop listening skills and a sense of beat, and to establish the foundation for singing and musical thought. Register Online
Family Music for Toddlers
16 months - 3.5 years
Mondays, 10:15-10:45
Cost: $215/semester; $409/year
Participate with your toddler in singing, chanting, moving, dancing, listening, and playing simple instruments – while developing a strong musical bond with your child. Through activities that bridge the natural connection between music and movement, your child’s musical aptitude and listening abilities are enhanced and further developed. Register Online
Music Makers at Home
4-5 years
Monday 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Cost: $260/semester; $494/year
Your child is now ready for this sequential two-year music program. Music Makers includes singing, creative and structures movement, playing instruments and ensemble work, ear training and guided listening, as well as a developmentally sound approach to music literacy that builds symbolic thinking, concentration, and memory, and self-expression. Parents (and siblings) join class for the last 10 minutes. Register Online
Music Makers: at the Keyboard I
6-7 years
Monday 3:30-4:45
Cost: $280/semester; $532/year
Limit: 6 students
Musikgarten children come to the piano ready to play the songs they have learned to sing, dance, and love. Small group lessons at the keyboard capitalize on your child’s delight in making music with others and allow the children to gallop through the beginning keyboard levels with delight. 60 minutes. Parents (and siblings) join class for the last 15 minutes. Register Online
Further descriptions of our classes:
