At our school, we use a variety of methodologies to teach your children music. These include the Orff, Dalcroze, and Kodaly modalities.

Music develops many facets of a person. By developing all of these elements together, from the time children begin to make sense of the sounds we speak, genuine musicality ensues. Here is a brief description of what these are below.

The Orff Method is a way of teaching children about music that engages their mind and body through a mixture of singing, dancing, acting and the use of percussion instruments (i.e. xylophones, metallophones, glockenspiels). Lessons are presented with an element of “play” helping the children learn at their own level of understanding.

The Kodaly Method is a way of developing musical skills and teaching musical concepts beginning in very young children. This method uses folk songs, Curwen hand signs, pictures, movable-do, rhythm symbols and syllables. It was first omtroduced in Hungary by composer Zoltan Kodaly, but is now used around the world.

Most of Miss Carrie’s college training has primarily been with Kodaly educators, so there are six essential elements of this philosophy that she includes during each music session, which occurs during circle time.

1. Singing – Eighty percent of what we do is singing.

2. Pulse – We use hearts to represent a steady pulse. Simple rhythms are spoken, danced, and clapped.

3. Movement – Measuring time and melody. Learning to listen with our bodies.

4. Melody – Distinguishing notes using alphabet names (at our school, we use colors) in an interactive way.

5. Live Performance – Being given opportunities to perform, for one another, and for their families.

6. Composition – Listening to recordings. Having a musical imagination.

Last is the Dalcroze Method. The Dalcroze method, also known as Dalcroze Eurhythmics, is another approach that music educators use to foster music appreciation, ear-training and improvisation while improving musical abilities. In this method, the body is the main instrument. Students listen to the rhythm of a music piece and express what they hear through movement. Simply put, this approach connects music, movement, mind, and body.