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Colorstrings / Music Kindergarten

Musical Progression in Colourstrings Kindergarten

Age: under 3 years old

Concentration on developing the pulse, the rudiments of pitch and intonation (tuning); building a store of songs, including Singing Rascals songs, nursery rhymes and traditional Irish folk songs; building a store of rhymes and action games and songs; listening to music as an activity in itself; dancing and elementary use of percussion to point up pulse work; co-ordination and speech development; confidence and enjoyment of sharing music with others in a secure environment. As the children get older the material gradually becomes more difficult and requires more independent action: bigger store of songs, rhymes, etc.. The rhythmic emphasis is still on pulse.

Age: 3 - 4 years old

Concentration through rhymes, games and songs on development and understanding of melodic rhythm (the rhythm of the words), on extending the pitch range, on developing solo singing, co-operative work with other children in groups or two's, independence of thought and action, dancing in a chain or circle, beginning composition, learning the rhythm names (Ta, Ti etc.) applying these names to well known songs and rhymes, beginning to develop inner hearing through various games, distinguishing between different speeds, dynamics and the other basic concepts of music (high/low, long/short etc..), giving expression through movement to different moods of music, listening to music, developing confidence and enjoying and sharing music with others in a secure environment.

Age: 4 - 5 years old

Concentration through more complicated games, songs and rhymes, on bringing known elements to full consciousness by writing them down in a simplified way (rhymes, actual notes on a one line stave), learning the hand signs and using them to develop inner hearing further, improvising, composing, reading from a simplified score to create a percussion accompaniment to a well-known song (beginnings of chamber music), part singing (ditto), learning to blend and work co-operatively in a group, leading an ensemble, extending the pitch and rhythm ranges, refining skills learnt in previous years. Adding to the store of songs, games and rhymes, using more complicated dances in a chain or circle that further develop co-ordination and rhythmic skill. Developing a knowledge of orchestral instruments. All of these prepare children for later instrumental learning if desired. Emphasis is still on enjoyment.

Age: 5 - 6 years old and up

Refining and developing skills as above and learning proper notation. More emphasis on musicianship and part singing, still with games and songs. Children of this level will achieve a high degree of confidence in their ability to sing well, to lead a group, or act as part of a group, to understand music from the inside out and apply their knowledge to unknown situations

Contact us on 01 – 496 7890 or enquiries@lpsm.ie