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Music for Young Chidren is a wonderful, comprehensive music education program. It incorporates all aspects of music learning into one group class per week. Students enjoy learning to play the keyboard, sing, compose, develop their ear training, sight reading/singing skills, rhythm and ensemble skills and theory comprehension. Music teachers in Music for Young Children classes provide fun experiences within a structured group format. Students enjoy the active, supportive, stimulating environment of a group for learning music.
But how effective are group classes for music lessons? Many teachers who teach both group and private music lessons say that students in group classes continue their music education much longer than those in private lessons. The motivation of the group encourages them to continue studying music longer. They enjoy the process of learning in a group and interacting with peers during the learning process.
Music groups develop a good understanding of how to cooperate and communicate by working together over several years. The benefits of continuing in the same group class for several months or even years can be heard at recitals. A level of trust develops between students that allows them to reach their potential and a security which comes from playing in a group allows even those who are anxious about performing to feel comfortable, relaxed and enjoy the experience. Group music lessons train the student to perform in front of people each week so they become used to performance. Then playing a solo at the recital is much less intimidating.
Piano and music teachers comment that students in group classes enjoy practicing more at home than those in private lessons. Ensemble music is fun and the fact that the children are learning a song to play together with their classmates makes them feel accountable and work hard to “measure up” in front of their peers.
Group music lessons are a wonderful way to grow in musical knowledge and skill, in social and communication skills and to develop lifelong interests and relationships.