Learning music need not be hard work. Charles Darwin University’s Keyboard Program for children 4 to 7 years is a systematic and enjoyable way for young children to learn keyboard instruments without compromising any musical standards.
Music Lecturer, Glenda Snyder, knows that this age group is ideal for children to start developing a true love for music which can stay with them for ever.
“Getting children to play scales and technical exercises is always a major issue for most teachers, yet my students come into their lessons begging me to play scales. This is because we play games while learning.
“We have children improvising from a very early age so that it is not so ‘scary’ when they are older,” Glenda said.
One of the Keyboard program’s preferred games is ‘Scale of the Century’.
“Children need to have fun with music”, Glenda added, “as well as gaining an intrinsic understanding of chords and phrasing. Soon they begin playing their solo pieces in a technically and musically pleasing way.
“We are lucky to have had renowned Australian composers Ross Edwards, Richard Charlton, David Harris and Peter Sculthorpe writing compositions especially for this program. Cathy Applegate from Darwin is another well known composer who has contributed to the program,” said Glenda.
The Centre for Music Keyboard program runs from the 18 April 2006 (Term 2). For further information or to enrol, please contact Glenda on 8946 6860 or Meryl on 8988 2107 or visit http://www.cdu.edu.au/cym/