Harmony Road Music Curriculum
The Harmony Road Music Course is a unique group piano program centered around young children. Developed by Jan Keyser, a leading early childhood music specialist, it is available in over 200 locations in the U.S., as well as Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, and Germany. The Harmony Road program offers a holistic approach to teaching music.
We all speak our language before we read and write. In much the same way the young child needs to process musical patterning and concepts through active participation. Experiential learning along with multi-sensory teaching techniques help the child learn naturally and develop a strong “inner hearing” for melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic patterning. Research has shown that the “window of opportunity” to absorb musical concepts and develop “inner hearing” is between the ages of two to six. By age five most children have developed a sense of the musical harmonies and styles within their own culture.
Classes are located in the Kroc Center Education Building - Room 161.
For more information, please fill out the interest form below
Introductory Courses run November 26th - December 21st
New semester begins January 5th
Classes Offered
Ages 3 - 4
HELLO MUSIC! Four week introductory course, 45 minutes weekly
The Hello Music course is an introductory class for three and four-year-olds who are new to the Harmony Road Music Course. This program is the perfect mix of activities for this active age group and includes movement, rhythmic activities, singing (words and solfege), hands-on use of manipulatives, (hoops, balls, streamers,) and small percussion instruments, orientation to keyboard geography and fun playing activities.
Children explore and experience basic musical concepts such as high and low – first with body movement and singing – then with a tactile experience using large note magnets on a magnetic board.
Simple solfege singing (DO, RE, MI) is introduced to feel stepping up and stepping down patterns. Solfege confirms pitch patterns which will be readily absorbed by the young child. Children feel, move, sing, and store melodic patterns from songs and by copy games. With adequate repetition – this patterning will be stored in the brain synapses and inner pitch hearing will become a part of the child’s musical vocabulary.
Finger movement games prepare a “soft” hand shape and children become aware of finger numbers, combining these activities with singing and tactile experiences provide a natural and enjoyable vehicle to explore patterning with the fingers.
Large body movement helps the child develop “pulse” and a feeling for a variety of musical meters and styles. Children use their bodies to feel phrases, musical expression and dynamics.
Parents/Caregivers are actively involved and guided to share musical activities with their child in class and at home.
MUSIC IN ME and MORE MUSIC IN ME: Two levels, 16 week semesters, 45 minutes weekly
The curriculum is a continuation of Hello Music! and is designed to immerse children and parents in activities which develop the ear, utilize the tactile-kinesthetic sense, explore keyboard geography and playing through tracking activities, set pre-reading concepts combined with pitch awareness, experience large motor skills in movement songs and finer motor skills with hand/finger play songs and activities.
Activity areas include:
Singing (words and solfege) for pitch recognition, for solfege ear training, to set pitch direction and sequence on the keyboard, to develop a feeling for expressiveness and phrasing
Movement – both free and guided to recognize and experience meters, moods, tempos and styles.
Rhythm activities to develop a feeling for pulse through body rhythms and use of small percussion instruments. Students experience and feel a variety of note and rest durations and rhythmic patterns.
Keyboard/Piano activities are designed to strengthen pitch concepts and explore the geography of the whole keyboard. Children touch and track pitch patterns as they sing – providing a strong tactile connection between the fingers, their singing voice and the piano keys.
Finger Readiness – enjoyable finger play songs prepare a “soft” hand shape and awareness of finger numbers as they relate to pitch patterning.
As parents, teacher and children share in the music making – a strong bond is made that will last a lifetime.
Ages 4 1/2 to 6
MUSICTIME: Four week introductory course, 45 minutes weekly
Musictime is a 4 session introductory program for 4 ½ to 6-year-olds. This program actively involves the parent/caregiver and child as they experience together movement, solfege singing, fun activity songs, rhythm (with body rhythm and small percussion instruments), hand/finger readiness games, keyboard/piano activities for keyboard geography and pitch concepts, plus creative projects to prepare for first note reading experiences.
Musictime materials are highly motivating and fun. It is a great way to introduce parents and children to the Harmony Road style of teaching and learning. Families realize the many benefits of a group program for musical involvement as well as social interaction and teamwork. Parents and students share at home –experiencing class songs and activities and doing creative projects for class.
Musictime materials include a child’s book and CD.
HARMONY ROAD: Four levels, 20 week semesters, 55 minutes weekly.
The Harmony Road course is carefully constructed for children to learn the basic building blocks of music. Emphasis is on ear training, solfege singing, keyboard solo and ensemble playing, ensemble and rhythm activities, movement and music creativity. This exceptional course encourages the development of the “inner hearing”, which makes transposing, improvisation and composing easily accessible in their musical studies.
The materials are specifically designed for preschoolers (ages 4 ½ to 6) and their parent/caregiver in a group setting. The class environment provides a dynamic space where children, teacher, and parents enjoy learning and making music together. This opportunity to share music is especially important – not only musically but also for the child’s social and emotional development.
Activities are designed to develop the whole child musically with singing (words and solfege), movement, rhythmic activities, keyboard/piano solo and ensemble playing, note reading and games, and creative projects.