“I really have enjoyed the early childhood music classes with my son. The experience has been musically and personally rewarding for all of us. I truly look forward to each class.” -Brendon

 
 

 

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The Magic of Music

Early Childhood Music Program

 
 

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For children 6 months to 9 years old

 

Fall session starts September 23rd

Spring session starts February 1st


Our Early Childhood Music program is a nurturing, fun, interactive group program for children ages 6 months to 9 years old, where children develop physically, emotionally, cognitively, and socially through playful participation and exploration. In this class they learn the fundamentals of music including rhythm, melody, notation and an introduction to orchestral instruments. The rhythm component they learn by doing fun games with rhythm sticks, triangles, shakers, hand drums, etc. For the melody component they learn the concepts through lots of singing. They will learn high – low, loud – soft, pitch, major – minor, etc. For notation they learn how to recognize musical symbols such as tremble clef, bass clef, half note, whole note, etc. (Much the same as learning your alphabet before you learn how to read.) We also teach them how to recognize all the instruments of the orchestra both by sight and sound. The preschool music classes are taught by our patient, fun and encouraging instructors with university degrees in music who love working with young children. The preschool music program prepares students to go on into private instrument lessons when they are older.

 

Musical Playtime: (6 months to 3 yrs) with caregiver

Musical Playtime offers a musical experience for parents and children through singing, movement and musical exploration. The class engages children through songs, chants and games which help them to see music in their everyday world. As the class guides children to co-operate with other children, they develop the co-ordination needed to play instruments, words to simple songs, recognition of different rhythms and the ability to differentiate musical factors like pitch, volume, and time. Through improvisation, rhythm, play, acting, movement and song, this class will offer fun for you and your child!

Mondays 11:00am Fall 2013
Wednesdays 11:00am Fall 2013
Saturdays 9:00am Fall 2013

Click Here to Download the Registration Form

To schedule a trial lesson call 301.365.5888

 

Toddler Tones: (1 to 3 years) with caregiver

A follow-up to "Musical Playtime" this class takes advantage of its students' more mobile bodies with a higher emphasis in rhythmic exercises, dance and games. These classes are filled with musical activities: students listen to stories, climb, jump, crawl and use their imaginations in discovering the joy of music. Vocal exploration, call and response songs, movement, finger play and exposure to non-pitched instruments, make this class a wonderful musical experience.

 

Mondays 12:00pm Fall 2013
Tuesdays 12:00pm Fall 2013
Tuesdays 4:30pm Fall 2013
Thursdays 11:00am Fall 2013

Click Here to Download the Registration Form

To schedule a trial lesson call 301.365.5888

 

 

 Music, Imagination & Me: (3 to 5 years)

This class encourages developing minds to improvise and stretch their imaginations through music. What would wind sound like at the piano? Could a painting turn into music? We create artwork and conjure pictures in our minds, then use the piano and other percussion instruments to make our thoughts come to life. In this class, children will become more aware of pitch and rhythm, recognize the sound of different instruments, become more expressive through music, and develop more sophisticated movement to music. Students may enroll in this class for up to 4 semesters depending on their individual needs. The class is cumulative and adjusted for variety of themes at the start of each semester.

 

Mondays 4:00pm Fall 2013
Saturdays 12:00pm Fall 2013

Click Here to Download the Registration Form

To schedule a trial lesson call 301.365.5888

 

Musical Voyage: (4 to 5 years)

This class is designed to promote musical independence, and to boost cognitive understanding of music. Students enjoy partner activities, musical games, and continue work with more advanced concepts such as tempo, dynamics, and timbre. Rhythm, songs, and vocal patterns are continued, while children are encouraged to begin creating their own music through simple rhythmic patterns and melodies. The goal of this class is to nurture the musical intelligence of each child by providing opportunities to explore musical concepts through a variety of sounds, instruments and recordings. Students may enroll in this class for up to 4 semesters depending on their individual needs. The class is cumulative and adjusted for variety of themes at the start of each semester.

 

Wednesdays 1:00pm Fall 2013
Wednesdays 5:30pm Fall 2013
Fridays 2:00pm Fall 2013
Saturdays 10:00am Fall 2013
Saturdays 2:00pm Fall 2013

Click Here to Download the Registration Form

To schedule a trial lesson call 301.365.5888

 

Instrument Explorers: (4 to 5 years)

What does it feel like to hold a violin in your hands? How do you make a sound on a guitar? Children learn about different instruments by seeing, touching, and hearing them. Each class session also includes a crafts portion in which children create real and imagined instruments. This class covers wind, percussion and string instruments. Additionally, these instruments are used to introduce melody and music notation. “Instrument Explorers” is a first introduction to musical instruments, in which they can discover their favorite for when they are ready to move to private instruction. Students may enroll in this class for up to 4 semesters depending on their individual needs. The class is cumulative and adjusted for variety of themes at the start of each semester.

 

Thursdays 5:00pm Fall 2013
Saturdays 11:00am Fall 2013
Saturdays 1:00pm Fall 2013

 Click Here to Download the Registration Form

To schedule a trial lesson call 301.365.5888

 

Keyboard Kaleidoscope: (4 to 6 years)

This is a first exploration of keyboard instruments where children are introduced to the building blocks of music: rhythm, pitch , note reading, and technique through playing games. By the end of the semester, children will be able to perform simple melodies on the piano.  It is recommended students have access to a piano or keyboard outside of class to maximize their experience. This course is a one-semester course leading to private studio instruction. Class size is limited to six students.

Tuesdays 5:30pm Fall 2013
Wednesdays 4:30pm Fall 2013
Thursdays 4:00pm Fall 2013
Fridays 3:00pm Fall 2013

Click Here to Download the Registration Form

To schedule a trial lesson call 301.365.5888

 

Glee Cubs: (4 to 7 years)

Designed for children who love to sing! This class introduces fun vocal warm ups, vocal exercises, proper breathing, posture and simple repertoire. Students are also introduced to musical notation as well as basic music terminology, terms, techniques and ear training. Musical selections include folk songs, children's rhymes and simple choral literature suited to young voices.

 

Thursdays 6:00pm Fall 2013

Click Here to Download the Registration Form

To schedule a trial lesson call 301.365.5888

 


Benefits of Early Childhood Music

  • Sound discrimination and reproduction, solfege.

  • Singing and playing any of the Orff instruments (for advanced levels).

  • Ability to interpret rhythmic patterns and melodic sequences through movement and singing.

  • Concentration & memory.

  • Attentive listening.

  • Movement & sound repertoire.

  • Awareness of personal space & the space in the room.

  • Working in an ensemble (teamwork).

  • Ability to create and improvise with movements and sounds.

  • Refining fine motor skills (precise normal dexterity) and sensory motor skills (coordination of vision, hearing, verbal ability, touch and movements such as: eye-hand coordination, breathing control, sound discrimination and recognition).

  • Refining gross motor skills (movement of the entire body or large portion of it, such as: walking, marching, running, skipping, tip-toeing, on a given rhythm).

  • Body awareness and balance development, learning music through your body.

  • Creativity and self expression.

  • Social development, and self esteem.

  • Brings the joy of music and movement to the lives of children.

  • Stimulates the child’s musical development

  • Develops attentive listening skills, capacity for play, and exploration.


Early Childhood Music classes meet for 45 minutes once a week, for a period of 12 weeks.  There are 3 sessions during the year: fall, spring and summer. Tuition: $324 plus registration fee of $38.

 


Click Here to Download the Registration Form

To schedule a trial lesson call 301.365.5888

 

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Our two locations serve communities of Bethesda, North Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Rockville, Potomac, Cabin John, Kensington, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, Washington DC, and Virginia.

 

The International School of Music (ISM North): 10450 Auto Park Ave. Bethesda MD 20817  |  Tel: 301.365.5888
The International School of Music (ISM South): 5110 Ridgefield Rd. Suite 104, Bethesda MD 20816  |  Tel: 301.657.0763

 

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