Like most great ideas, it started with a seed of inspiration, one that we developed in our music lessons for two months’ until the final presentation where everything came together so beautifully. Mrs. F was watching a video that was posted to our Facebook page at the top of the year, where there was a wide array of children performing this piece as singers, instrumentalists, and a full choir. Mrs. F thought to herself: well our kids could do that! We started to reflect on the talents and abilities of many students who have completed their Music For Young Children foundation with us, and who have continued with our music school for many years afterwards. It was through this reflection that we put together a “Heal the World band” (pictured with this article), the majority of which started as Sunshine 1 students many years ago. The band featured: a piano player, drummer, djembe player, electric guitar, three vocal soloists, and the MYC choir who performed the chorus with accompanying sign language! We all saw this great unveil for the first time together with our audience, and the final product exceeded our wildest expectations; it was a resounding success!
One of the reasons these performances were so successful is due to the type of music education Music For Young Children offers: not only do kids learn how to play piano but they are exposed to singing, rhythm and movement, and group ensemble playing from a young age. Many of the children on stage at the recitals this year were participating in their first ever public performance, the skills of which they had been previously exposed to during the year. Mrs. F and I had an opportunity to expand the musical education of our senior level performers in the Heal the World band, as these musicians were involved in multiple dress rehearsals, as well as the tech setup and dismantling of all of the musical gear following the afternoon’s performances.
One of the audience members who participated in the MYC choir was further inspired to perform this at her school’s talent show! The seed of inspiration has been firmly planted; there’s no knowing how these music students will continue to expand and grow with their music lessons in the coming years. Both Mrs. F and myself look forward to doing our part of cultivating this love of music that was made possible through their exposure to the Music for Young Children program!
by Ms. MICHELLE FEDOROWICH
https://www.myc.com/members/mfedorowich/