Virtual Early Childhood Music Classes

Offerings at the Conservatory

Jennifer Garr, Department Head

Age 2 1/2–8 years

The early childhood department specializes in bringing developmentally appropriate music instruction to children from 14 months to 8 years of age. Our department's philosophy is to provide child-centered instruction while nurturing natural ability, curiosity, and a love of music. Families enrolled in these classes will explore the world of music and the world of the child together with the support and guidance of our experienced faculty.

The safety of our children, families, and teachers is our utmost priority, and so all early childhood classes for Fall 2020 will be virtual only.

What does a virtual early childhood music program look like? View our introductory video and then read on for additional information:

Early childhood development is at the forefront of our newly-created online program, and so our virtual class offerings are not just a copy of our regular classes done online. Each class has been restructured and designed specifically for an online platform with young minds and attention spans in mind.

Here's how our virtual classes differ from our in-person offerings:

While our in-person classes are either 45 or 60 minutes in length one time per week, our virtual classes using Zoom meet twice a week for a maximum length of 30 minutes each class (note: Musical Threes will still meet once a week). The shorter time frame is more appropriate for our young students, and the multi-class format keeps the children engaged and motivated throughout the week. We take full advantage of the ability to have multiple Guest Musicians visit our classes when normally this would be prohibitive in our physical classroom. All Zoom classes are recorded, inviting the children to rewatch the classes and also allowing children who are unable to attend that specific class to still be included in the learning experience.
- **Note: Zoom classes will be conducted on Rider's Pro Zoom platform which has been configured especially for educators with a secure-entry protocol and utilizing password encrypted invitations to all online events.
All of our weekly classes are supplemented with interactive activities utilizing the online platform, Seesaw. Seesaw allows us as educators to take student's learning beyond just watching a video and allows them to interact with both the lessons and teacher to demonstrate their creativity and engagement with the content. Students can choose from numerous options to creatively respond to an assignment, demonstrate their knowledge of concepts, and receive personal feedback from their class teachers, as well as our guest musicians! Best of all, this platform allows children to complete activities on their own time and at their own pace. The greatest testament to the success of this online learning tool? More than half of our spring students continued to log onto Seesaw to complete multiple activities throughout the summer even though their music class had concluded in June! View our introductory video for more about this child-friendly platform.
We recognize that it's important for our young students to physically interact with materials and projects, just as we would in an in-person music class. Weekly emails (or in some cases, "snail mail"), provide each student with hands-on projects and manipulatives to enhance their learning. Each class also includes materials for each child to have at home, including instruments and other learning tools that are then implemented in our Zoom classes.

We've had tremendous success with our spring and summer virtual offerings, and we hope you will join us for the fall 2020 semester. Our virtual classes are very flexible for families and a perfect fit for busy schedules. Children can participate at their own pace while also repeating their favorite activities and classes. Best of all, since the only requirement is a device with internet access, children can be happily engaged in a fun musical activity virtually anywhere - even in those long "social distancing" wait lines.

Parent Testimonials

"Thank you for sharing the activities with us on Seesaw. [My son] liked it very much. It is an amazing experience to enjoy the music with Ms. Garr online." -- Q.L., Conservatory parent
"The online Zoom class helped me more as a parent in reviewing my child for every lesson/activity she is in. The recorded videos/music are such a great review tool that we can always check as needed or for mastery. And the SeeSaw app is great added material." -- K.P., Conservatory parent
"The quality of the online classes was amazing! My daughter looked forward to each of the personalized packets to arrive in the mail (badges, stickers, puzzles, new songs), the weekly Zoom classes, and the awesome activities through platforms like SeeSaw. She would watch Mrs. Garr's videos over and over again. Mrs. Garr's passion, enthusiasm, caring, and responsiveness are unparalleled - you couldn't ask for a better music teacher. My daughter learned SO much and we couldn't be more grateful for the experience to have such high quality music education. Thank you!!" -- M.S., Conservatory parent
"The virtual classes with Mrs. Garr were the highlight of my week and were the best class ever!" -- Theodore, Musical Gateways student
"Music lessons with you have provided a great base for my son with regards to music. Seesaw actually amplified possibilities of how to approach the subject and [the] Zoom sessions helped him not to get totally distant to his peers during Covid." -- J.B., Conservatory parent
"it was a wonderful Zoom experience!" -- L.D., Conservatory parent
"I think the virtual classes have been very enriching and entertaining for [my son]! He always looked forward to his 'Music Zoom classes.'" -- N.S., Conservatory parent

Early Childhood Music Classes

Musical Threes

(1 Zoom class per week + weekly activities on the Seesaw classroom)
For children ages 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 (students should be minimum age of 2 1/2 by 9/15/20)

While this class is for children with an adult partner, a cooperative learning environment is designed for children to begin to discover musical independence with some adult support. Using musical stories and songs connected together by a theme, children and their caregivers will sing, dance, and play instruments in an engaging musical atmosphere. Activities include songs, chants and rhymes, listening games, echoing tonal and rhythmic patterns, and movement games, all centered around an over-arching theme for the session, nurturing the child's musical development while satisfying the child's need to learn in a holistic environment. We strongly believe in an interdisciplinary approach to educating the "whole" little learner, so join us as we work on our preschool basics through song and music merriment!

Tuition fee: $144 for 12 weeks (12 30-minute Zoom classes)
Materials fee: $35 for a personal music kit with rhythm instruments, songbook, and music manipulatives
Zoom Class time offerings: Choose Tuesdays from 5:00 - 5:30 P.M. OR Saturdays from 10:00 A.M. - 10:30 P.M.
Register Online

Stepping Tones

(2 Zoom classes per week + weekly activities on the Seesaw classroom)
For children ages 3 1/2 - 4 1/2 (students should be minimum age of 3 1/2 by 9/15/20)

This class presents various activities to foster children's independent musical development. Each week the students are invited to bring an item to our Zoom classes relating to that week's theme; these items are then incorporated into the week's musical experiences. Activities include songs, rhymes, and instrument play, all supporting the concepts of developing the singing voice and moving rhythmically to a beat. Children's literature is a key component, and classes incorporate folk songs and repertoire from the United States and other cultures. Materials fee includes a collection of curriculum songs recorded by the Early Childhood faculty, an instrument kit with rhythm instruments, and additional projects and materials shipped to your home.

Tuition fee: $216 for 12 weeks (24 30-minute Zoom classes)
Materials fee: $40, includes personal music kit with rhythm instruments, music manipulatives, songbooks, curriculum songs recorded by the Early Childhood faculty, and additional projects to be mailed to your home
Zoom Class time offerings: Zoom classes will be held twice a week, and all classes will be recorded. Since many school schedules are still in flux, exact class times will be determined after enrollment. Please pick your preference from the following time options (you can select more than one option): Tuesdays 1:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M., Tuesdays 3:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M., Wednesdays 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M., Thursdays 11:30 A.M. - 12:00 P.M., Thursdays 1:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M., Saturdays 10:00 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.
Register Online

Musical Gateways Level 1/2

(2 Zoom classes per week + weekly activities on the Seesaw classroom)
For children ages 4 1/2 - 5 1/2 (students should be the minimum age of 4 1/2 by 9/15/20)

This class is for children who enjoy making music and would like to build their musicianship and instrumental skills before beginning traditional formal instruction. Through attention to the child's singing voice, listening skills, and rhythmic development, this class provides opportunities for students to make music in a creative setting while developing entry-level musical concepts and skills necessary for future instrument study.

Tuition fee: $216 for 12 weeks (24 30-minute Zoom classes)
Materials fee: $50, includes personal music kit with rhythm instruments, a set of diatonic resonator bells, music manipulatives, magnetic rhythm board, curriculum songs recorded by the Early Childhood faculty, and additional projects to be shipped to your home
Zoom Class time offerings: Zoom classes will be held twice a week, and all classes will be recorded. Since many school schedules are still in flux, exact class times will be determined after enrollment. Please pick your preference of times from the following time options (you can select more than one option): Tuesdays 11:30 A.M. - 12:00 P.M., Tuesdays 1:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M., Tuesdays 3:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M., Wednesdays 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M., Thursdays 1:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M., Saturdays 10:00 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.
Register Online

Musical Gateways Level 3/4

(for children entering 1st grade, or continuing Gateways students entering Kindergarten) (Two ½ hour Zoom classes per week + weekly activities on the Seesaw classroom)

In Gateways 3 and 4 we study Music Around the World, and Music through Time. In our Fall class, we will take a fun trip around the globe to discover the folksongs and unique instruments of many different cultures. In the spring, we will also explore the instruments and major composers of Western music from Ancient times through our modern era.

Tuition fee: $216 for 12 weeks (24 30-minute Zoom classes)
Materials fee: $50, includes personal music kit with rhythm instruments, music manipulatives, magnetic rhythm board, music books, and additional materials emailed or mailed to your home
Zoom Class time offerings: Zoom classes will be held twice a week, and all classes will be recorded. Exact class times to be determined after enrollment, but class times will be chosen from this time range: Zoom class #1: Thursdays 3:30 P.M. - 5:30 P.M. and Zoom class #2: Saturdays 10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
Register Online

Musical Explorations

(for children entering 1st or 2nd grade)
Two 1/2 hour Zoom classes per week + weekly activities on the Seesaw classroom

This class provides opportunities for students to make and interact with music in various creative settings while developing entry-level musical concepts and skills. Children will experience different musical genres from classical to jazz through attention to their singing voice, listening skills, their motor development and visual art expression.

Tuition fee: $216 for 12 weeks (24 30-minute Zoom classes)
Materials fee: $50, includes personal music kit with rhythm instruments, music manipulatives, magnetic rhythm board, music books, and additional materials emailed or mailed to your home
Zoom Class time offerings: Zoom classes will be held twice a week, and all classes will be recorded. Exact class times to be determined after enrollment, but class times will be chosen from this time range: Zoom class #1: Thursdays 3:30 P.M. - 5:30 P.M. and Zoom class #2: Saturdays 10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
Register Online

Musical Discoveries

(for children in grades 1-2 who have completed both levels of Musical Gateways)

Specifically designed for students who have completed both years of the Musical Gateways program, this is our most advanced group class, and will review and expand upon the music theory and musical skills introduced in previous early childhood classes. Beginning note reading is introduced through the playing of an instrument shipped directly to your home. The skills developed in this class make Music Discoveries a perfect complement to private study.

Tuition fee: $216 for 12 weeks (24 30-minute Zoom classes)
Materials fee: $50, includes personal music kit with rhythm instruments, music manipulatives, magnetic rhythm board, music books, and additional materials emailed or mailed to your home
Zoom Class time offerings: Zoom classes will be held twice a week, and all classes will be recorded. Exact class times to be determined after enrollment, but class times will be chosen from this time range: Zoom class #1: Thursdays 3:30-5:30 and Zoom class #2: Saturdays 10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
Register Online