Simpedia

Robin Keehn, Washington

Simply Music Rhapsody was created for Simply Music by educator Lynn Kleiner. It is an Early-Childhood Music and Movement program and begins at birth. The focus is really joyful, playful music making with absolute purpose and intention at the heart. Parents get to experience and develop their own musicianship in the classes where they are engaged with their young child in singing, pitch matching, beat keeping, solo singing, story telling, the use of instruments, improvisation and more through fun and play. This program begins at birth and goes through age five.

Teachers have choices, as do students. As a Simply Music teacher, you may not be interested in teaching Simply Music Rhapsody but you may want to PARTNER with someone else who would like to teach Simply Music Rhapsody. Or, you may absolutely love teaching Early-Childhood Music Education and want to teach SMR. There are so many possibilities to impact children and families and grow your studio.

Tomorrow, an explanation of how Simply Music Rhapsody is different from other Early-Childhood Music Education programs.

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More About Simply Music Rhapsody‏

Robin Keehn, Washington

The new SMR website is going to be ready soon and contains a lot of information about the program. In the meantime, here is some information from the site to help you learn more about the program.

Why Choose Simply Music Rhapsody

We believe that every child is born with an innate and profound musicality. At the most basic and obvious level this musicality is demonstrated every day in such things as our ability to walk and talk. Our musicality is a gift, and with proper nurturing it grows with your child.

The Simply Music Rhapsody program, developed by internationally renowned music educator, Lynn Kleiner, addresses each age and stage of childhood development. It meets your child exactly where they are. Beautiful, diverse songs, singable phrases, repetition with variety, the use of instruments, puppets and visuals all foster the love of music in an exciting and creative environment. It is a program that, to its core, acknowledges and values the input and creativity of each and every child.

Simply Music Rhapsody prepares students and parents to perfectly transition into our Simply Music playing-based, piano method. Simply Music Piano has students, age six through senior adults, playing contemporary, classical, blues, jazz, gospel, arrangements, and accompaniments from their very first lessons. Utilizing an approach that honors and emulates the natural development of all humans, we temporarily delay the reading process and teach you and your child to play by immersing you in playing great-sounding music – immediately – from your very first lessons!

At Simply Music, we believe that music should be an integral part of life, and that everybody has the ability to acquire and retain music as a lifelong companion. As such, we provide programs that offer seamless continuity – from birth through all ages of adulthood.

The Simply Music Rhapsody difference can be summed up in:

• Our history of success and longevity
• Our program that is based on the innovative and successful Orff Schulwerk approach to music education. With this active approach as the foundation, we use singing, instruments, movement and improvisation to make music come alive
• Our carefully developed curriculum, which reflects our commitment to excellence
• Our student materials are of the highest quality and include real instruments – and, given that our instruments are manufactured by world leaders in the field, the meet strict, safety standards and are produced by world leading manufacturers
• Our enthusiastic teachers are highly qualified and well-trained music education professionals. They are dedicated to offering students, at every level, developmentally appropriate classes and a deeply rewarding experience
• We make learning music FUN!

Frequently Asked Questions from Parents

What are the student home materials and how are they used?

Each year, students have a very special kit of instruments that are age appropriate and meet the highest safety standards. The Student Home Materials are used in class and then taken home. Having your own instruments helps to minimize spreading germs AND, you can continue the music making and fun at home!

Students get two CDs, one with the instrument kit and one mid-year.

What are the benefits of early childhood music education?

• Gives your child a head start and serves as an important link to future success
• Enhances brain development through the proven, positive effects of music
• Develops physical motor skills through movement and playing of music instruments
• Provides a dramatic impact on language development, and improving vocal and speech development through singing
• Develops social skills and cooperation through participation in group dancing and musical games
• Use of timing activities develops coordination, body awareness, and spatial concepts
• Use of repeating patterns and counting beats develops math and literacy skills
• Improved listening and concentration skills
• Increase of self-esteem
• Better quality of life!

 

Can siblings attend classes?

When you enroll your child in a Simply Music Rhapsody class you have set aside a special time to bond with your child and enjoy music together. Siblings are generally not allowed to be in class but it is at your teacher’s discretion.

What are the age groups?

We have programs for five distinct age groups:
Babies Make Music (Birth to Walking)
Toddlers Make Music (Ages One and Two)
Kids Make Music (Ages Two and Three)
Big Kids Make Music (Ages Three and Four)
Young Musicians Make Music (Ages Four and Five)

 

Do parents attend classes?

You are your child’s first and best teacher. Parents do attend and participate in weekly classes. Participation includes singing along with the teacher, using the instruments with your child, dancing, rocking and more. You will even have the opportunity to learn to play the Ukulele and those skills transfer to the guitar! Your involvement shows your child that you value music and that you are a music maker, too!

How does this prepare my child for future music lessons?

We love what we know! A child immersed in music and participating in regular music classes will always love music. In Simply Music Rhapsody, your child will learn to keep the beat, match pitch, be creative and self-expressed, improvise, accompany and participate in group music making. All of these activities prepare a child for music lessons and increase the likelihood of your child having music as a lifelong companion.

A child in Simply Music Rhapsody has a unique opportunity to continue his journey quite naturally into our playing-based piano method. Simply Music pieces are intentionally and strategically woven into the Simply Music Rhapsody curriculum from the start. Growing up in Simply Music Rhapsody, your child will hear and interact with the songs that he will be able to play for himself on the piano beginning around age six. The integration of those pieces from the earliest stages gives your child a huge advantage in Simply Music piano lessons.

What should I expect of my child in class?

Each of the Simply Music Rhapsody programs is based on research and years of experience in working with children in a musical setting. The activities are developmentally appropriate and children naturally participate at the level with which they are comfortable. Some children are natural observers and will spend several weeks watching the classes unfold with seemingly little participation. Others will jump in from the very beginning and actively and enthusiastically participate.

We know that each child is unique and that these differences are completely normal. Often the observant child will be singing all of the songs at home and doing each activity with his or her parent all the time. Little babies who may even fall asleep in class will respond to the music on the CD at home by kicking, moving or looking for the sound source.

Our expectations are quite simple; that you come to class consistently and participate both in class and at home, engaging your child in whatever manner is comfortable for them. If your child prefers to stay in your lap and be held or if your child needs to constantly move, both are exactly right. Your teacher will be able to suggest ways to engage and interact with your child.

How should I participate in classes?

Your participation in class is very important for your child. At the beginning of each class we come together around the huge gathering drum. We play along to a wide variety of music while students arrive. We always sing a welcome song and parents learn to accompany the singing on the Ukulele.

During the class you will be singing (and you can learn right along with your child if you are nervous about this), dancing, moving and having a great time with your classmates.

The most important thing is that you come and have a fun, musical experience with your child.

What should we do at home?

One of our goals in class each week is to teach you the songs and activities so you can continue the fun at home with your Student Home Materials. You will have your set of instruments and your CD with many of the songs that we sing in class. Mid-year, there will be a second CD with the new songs on it. Play the CD in the car, at meals, during bath time and at bedtime. Play along with your instruments and dance with your scarf. The better your child knows the songs, the more he will participate and enjoy his classes.

What is the Orff Philosophy?

Orff Schulwerk is a proven and exciting approach to teaching music to children. It gets its unusual name from Carl Orff, the European composer who created this teaching approach along with Gunild Keetman. Based on things children like to do-sing, chant rhymes,dance, and play instruments-Orff develops creativity and imagination. The Orff melody instruments are very high quality and include xylophones, glockenspiels, and metallophones as well as recorder and percussion instruments of all types. Children experience the joy of making music together in a group as they learn the fundamentals of music. 

More great benefits with Orff!
Children become sensitive listeners, considerate participants, and successful musicians. The use of language, movement, rhythm and melody in a game-like atmosphere develops mental concentration, coordination, self-concept and creativity, while building an excellent foundation for future musical pursuits.

Simply Music Rhapsody is based on the Orff Schulwek philosophy and the work of Lynn Kleiner.

Lynn is a frequent clinician at national and international workshops and state chapters for the American Orff Schulwerk Association, Music Educators National Conference, and the American Music Therapy Conference. She is

• A popular presenter for school districts, preschools, adult schools, and parent organizations as well as a guest lecturer at UCLA and USC.
• Conducts workshops for music educators across the U.S. and internationally.
• With her partners REMO and Alfred Publishing, Lynn has developed her own line of children’s instruments, music DVDs, CDs, and songbooks.
• Endorsements and awards:
Lynn’s DVDs are endorsed by The Dove Foundation and Kids First. The In All Kinds of Weather, Kids Make Music! DVD has earned The Dove Foundation’s and National Parenting Center’s Seal of Approval. Three of her kits – Babies Make Music, Kid Make Music, and Kids Make Music Too! have earned the prestigious Oppenheim Best Toy Award.

I hope that helps and gives you some tools with which to talk to prospective families!