GROUP LEARNING & EXPLORATION CLASSES (Instrumental)

Riveting Classes Keep Your Child Engaged and Excited!

Family Classes (Ages 12-36 months)

If your child is between 12 to 36 months you’ll want to join one of our toddler-parent participation classes. These classes are a wonderful opportunity for a special time of bonding with your child in a warm, encouraging environment. In addition to singing, movement and rhythm games, classes include symphonic and ethnic instrument exploration in which parents and children have the opportunity to handle and play real instruments and learn about notes in a fun 30-minute format. Music classes are limited to 6 children. Offerings include Music or Dance (Mommy & Me) emphasis.

Early Music Awareness^™: E.M.A., our trademark class! (Ages 3-7)

Request a FREE Trial Class

Your young child (3 to 7 years) will gain a sense of independence by being a part of a small group of children (no more than 8 to a class) where she will be able to receive personal attention and have her individuality acknowledged and honored. In addition children are prepared for future instrumental instruction by learning to read music and try potential instruments in an active, fun and exciting environment. Learn more about EMA TM

Even as young as three years old, your child will be proud of her ability to identify notes and distinguish their values. And she will be excited to share with you the handouts she’ll receive with every lesson.

EMA with Christian Emphasis

Available by request, students may enroll in Christian emphasis classes which begin with a short prayer and employ the use of age-appropriate Christian songs. No doctrine or theology is taught, but biblical principles of faith and morality may be referenced.

Certificate E.M.A.: 9-Month Course (Ages 4-6.5)

Child Delights to try Trombone We are excited to re-introduce our 9-Month Early Music Awareness^™ Course in which the same group of students (who are almost ready for private instrumental instruction) will participate together in a once weekly school-year course. Unlike our flexible, ongoing E.M.A. classes, which review music theory in a way that accomodates new students who may join at any time, certificate course students will be led progressively through the original EMA curriculum at a steady pace that will prepare them even more adequately for graduation to instrumental learning.

We usually offer this course in fall at both San Jose and Sunnyvale campuses. It maintain the same fast-paced fun environment true to the original intent of this well-loved and innovative music education program.

Instrument Readiness I-II (Ages 5-7)

Kids Looking in PIano Your elementary age child, who may not be ready for the daily practice of private lessons, may join a transitional EMA, called IRC, in which kids use song (Kodaly method), solfege, movement and xylophones, keyboards and/or recorders to apply the music theory they have learned in EMA. Piano Keys

Cost of IRC classes is slightly higher than EMA and includes the cost of the xylphone and/or recorder and IRC workbook.

Instrument Survey (Ages 6-8 & 7-10)

Your growing child may love music, but may not have had an opportunity like EMA to handle a variety of instruments before choosing one. Before you make an investment in an instrument that your child has never tried before, consider enrolling in an 8-Week Instrument Survey! Offered in both group and private settings, this class includes learning about the instruments and their families, parts of the instruments, how to hold and make sounds on them, and lots of hands-on time with them. In addition, students will learn an overview of notereading that will make their first lessons on their chosen instrument easier and more fun. They will be able to learn songs sooner!
INSTRUMENTS PROVIDED! Using Music Place instruments for the survey, parents do not have to worry about investing in the rental of instruments or making an instrument choice without educated guidance from a music instructor.

Instruments explored may be somewhat customized but will always include size/age-appropriate instruments such as: Boys trying drums

- Violin/Cello Boy tries trumpet

- Piano/Keyboard
- Flute/Recorder
- Trumpet/Bugle
- Drums
- Xylophone/Glockenspiel
- Guitar/Ukelele

SPECIAL NOTE: The instrument survey class may be taken as a private (one-on-one) lesson for 4-6 weeks and may be customized for your child..

LEARNING & EXPLORATION CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

NAME/DESCRIPTION	Ages	Length	Max Size	Comments
EMA (Early Music Awareness^™)
A fast paced, small group class for children ages 2-7 years, which includes the following 6 musical elements: Singing, Music Theory/Notation, Rhythmic Memory Development, Symphonic & Ethnic Instruments, Solfeggio (Do-Re-Mi) and Movement. Christian Emphasis classes are available by request.	2-2.5yr	30m	6	Parent participation encouraged!
	3-8	45m	8	Classes are grouped by age, with a maximum 2 year range for school-aged children. (Alternating weeks permitted.)
FAMILY CLASS
Emphasizes songs, sounds, instruments & creative play. Involves parents & uses fun 'props' & accessories around a weekly theme. Slight exposure to notes in a fun format.	0-4yrs	30m	6	50% discount for siblings under 12 months
IRC I & II (Instrument Readiness Class)
Similar to EMA, but for children who are almost ready for instrument instruction. IRC II requires previous theory background, or EMA experience.) Students in both levels use singing (Kodaly method), solfege, movement and xylophones or recorders to apply the music theory to their first instrument.	I: 4-6 II: 5-7	45-50m	6	10-13 week sessions.
INSTRUMENT SURVEY
Class includes learning about the instruments and their families, their sounds in a group context (orchestra or band etc.) parts of the instruments, how to hold and make sounds on them, and lots of hands-on time with it. In addition, students will learn an overview of note-reading that will make the first lessons on their chosen instrument easier and more fun.	7-10	45-50m	6-8	8 Weeks. Individual class length varies with size of class
PRIVATE INSTRUMENTAL INSTRUCTION
One-on-one instruction with well-trained instructors is available on piano, voice and most instruments including but not limited to: drums, violin, viola, cello, guitar, flute, clarinet, bassoon, recorder, saxophone, xylophone and keyboards.	5 to adult	30-60m	1	Free Evaluation required for children under 7 before enrolling.
PRIVATE or GROUP VOCAL INSTRUCTION
Although the voice is one of the few instruments that may be even more effectively learned in a group setting, private lessons are available as young as 4 years old and should include the following elements taught in an age-appropriate manner: 1) proper breathing technique: to ensure the fullest sound without damaging the voice 2) articulation: singing with clarity so I can be understood 3) presentation: how to present my song in a way that reaches the intended audience. This includes posture, gesture, use of microphones and expression.	4 & up	15-60m	1-1 or grp 3-12	Private Voice Lessons are specific to the needs, schedules and song choices of each student. Vocal Ensembles are useful to teach harmony, blending and team work while working together on basic physical skills needed by all singers.

* Sibling & ministry discounts available... and ask about scholarships!

<< Go Back | Home Page | Forward >>

Last Modified: 2010.04.16

Actual Customer Testimonials:

"We have recommended to many of our friends. We love the place. It has totally helped our daughter to not only know the notes but to truly have fun with them! We love the teacher(s) and wish them all the very best. - " -- Happy parents

"Our daughter, Melissa, loves her music class, and she looks forward to the recitals. She's made friends and become more confident. We'd recommend the Music Place to anyone. -- Melissa's parents, Kathy & Matt, Los Gatos" .

I tell everyone who will listen about the amazing introduction to music that our daughter is getting with the Music Place. People are always amazed when a 3-year old explains that she played an oboe last week and is going to play a piccolo next week! Most importantly, our daughter can't wait for music class & asks to go every day. -- The Pace Family