Music Discovery Program

In the initial two weeks, students are immersed in the world of the piano, an instrument synonymous with music learning and known for its versatility across musical genres. They'll explore the mechanics and understand how pressing keys leads to a beautiful array of sounds. As they delve into the rudiments of melody creation, rhythm comprehension, and basic finger placement, these weeks aim to instill an appreciation for the piano's harmonic richness and inspire an enthusiasm for music.

Weeks 3 and 4 turn the spotlight onto the voice, our most innate instrument. Students will understand how to harness their voices, exploring the fundamental principles of singing, such as pitch control and correct breathing techniques. They'll learn how to shape their vocal tone and volume, and how to utilize these elements to bring out emotions in their singing. By engaging in interactive vocal exercises and simple song practice, the goal is to nurture their vocal abilities and foster confidence in their unique musical identity.

The journey of musical exploration continues with hand percussion in Weeks 5 and 6. Students will explore a variety of percussion instruments including tambourines, bongos, claves, maracas, and more – and develop an understanding of the distinct sounds each instrument creates. While coordinating rhythms in a group setting and participating in games that reinforce foundational rhythmic understanding, these weeks are full of fun.

Weeks 7 and 8 bring students into the energetic world of drums, one of the most physically engaging and rhythmically crucial instruments in music. Here, they'll become familiar with the components of a drum set – the snare, bass drum, and cymbals – and get hands-on experience learning basic drumming patterns and stick techniques. By practicing basic drumming techniques and playing simple rhythms, students will develop coordination and timing, fostering a rhythmic intuition essential to any music genre.

In Weeks 9 and 10, students explore the ukulele. This compact, stringed instrument, renowned for its delightful tone and accessibility, serves as a perfect introduction to stringed instruments. Students will become familiar with its parts, like the fretboard and tuning pegs, while learning about sound production and simple chord formation. Engaging games will enhance chord transition skills, with interactive strumming exercises and melody practice to inspire a love for the ukulele.

Naturally progressing from the ukulele, students venture into the captivating world of the guitar in Weeks 11 and 12. Students will learn about the guitar's anatomy and tuning, while gaining hands-on experience in strumming and finger placement techniques. Through learning basic chords and practicing simple tunes, the goal is to kindle an appreciation for the guitar's expressive potential.

Weeks 13 and 14 introduce the elegant violin, an instrument prized for its high-pitched, emotive sounds. Students will learn about the violin's key components and how they work together to create music. They'll explore fundamental playing techniques such as proper bow hold, finger positioning, and simple note production. As they practice playing simple tunes, students will develop aural skills through note recognition exercises.

In Weeks 15 and 16, students are introduced to a staple of orchestras and jazz bands – the clarinet. They'll familiarize themselves with its mouthpiece, reed, keys, and assembly, and understand how their coordination results in diverse pitches. By learning about correct embouchure, finger placement, and sound production, students will gain hands-on experience playing this versatile instrument. The goal is to spark a love for the clarinet's warm, expressive sound.

Entering the realm of wind instruments, Weeks 17 and 18 introduce the enchanting world of the flute. During this period, students will gain an understanding of the flute's parts, assembly, and correct playing posture, while exploring sound production techniques such as proper embouchure and breath control. They'll also delve into the nuances of finger placement, enabling them to produce various notes and play simple melodies. These guided instructions and interactive activities kindle a fascination for the flute's enchanting sounds and broader understanding of music as a whole.

In the final weeks of our Music Discovery Program, students will engage with the vibrant world of the trumpet, an instrument famed for its bold, resonant sound and integral role in various music genres. They'll explore the trumpet's key parts and learn about producing sounds by varying breath pressure and lip tension. By mastering basic fingerings to play different pitches and practicing simple melodies, the objective is to ignite a love for the trumpet’s powerful voice and conclude their exploratory journey on a high note.