What
is the company behind this course?
Alfred Music Publishing Co., Inc., the world leader in music
education products since 1922, is dedicated to helping
people experience the joy of making music. With hundreds
of expert authors and composers backed by a talented
staff in six offices worldwide, Alfred publishes educational,
reference and performance pieces for teachers, students
and performers spanning every musical instrument and
style. You can find more information about us on the
About Alfred page.
Back
to top
Who
are the authors responsible for this course?
You can read all about our wonderful authors on the
Authors page.
Back
to top
How does Music for Little Mozarts
relate to Alfred's Premier Piano Course?
When a student completes Level 4 of Music for Little
Mozarts, they should continue in Alfred's Premier
Piano Course, Level 1B. Note that it may require
some extra work by the teacher on naming notes and
moving around the keyboard.
Back
to top
What
is the Music for Little Mozarts Marketing Kit?
In the Music for Little Mozarts Marketing Kit
for Teachers, you'll find tips from experienced music
instructors and school managers on everything from
setting up your classroom to writing a press release.
Plus, you'll receive an access code to our Music
for Little Mozarts marketing website, where you
can download eye-catching brochure and ad graphics,
as well as templates featuring Beethoven Bear and
Mozart Mouse. Find out more information about this
special kit on the Marketing
page.
Back
to top
Why
should my child study music at a young age?
Recent studies suggest that playing and listening
to music at a young age improves learning, memory,
reasoning ability, and general creativity. Research
also supports the theory that young children who are
exposed to music develop enhanced cognitive skills.
Music teachers are aware that influences of music
go far beyond the intellectual and physical development
of the child. Studying music contributes to the growth
of a well-balanced child in sensitivity, expressiveness,
and the spirit essential for functioning in a complicated
world.
Back
to top
What will my child learn in the
course?
Music for Little Mozarts combines general musicianship
activities with those that develop performance skills
at the piano. Skills taught in the course focus on
keyboard performance, listening, pitch matching, keyboard
technique, singing, rhythm, movement, and music appreciation.
Children will play pieces at the piano throughout
each level.
Back
to top
What is my role as a parent in
music study?
Parents play a very important role in music lessons
for young children. Lessons are a total partnership
between the child and the parents. Some teachers encourage
parents to attend lessons. Even if parents do not
attend lessons, they must keep in close contact with
the teacher and share in the learning process at home.
Parents must supervise practice and read directions
to the student. In addition to practice sessions at
the piano, parents should discuss the pictures in
the books with the child, read the story in the Music
Lesson Book to him/her, and listen to the compact
discs together as a family.
Back
to top
What types of things can I expect
to happen in the lesson?
Each lesson will include a variety of activities chosen
from keyboard performance, singing, music appreciation,
coloring, movement, listening, rhythm, and use of
the magnetic/dry-erase board. The activities that
occur in the lesson are structured to take into consideration
the young child's small hands and limited attention
span.
Back
to top
Should
my child study privately or in a group?
Music for Little Mozarts works equally well
in private or group lessons. Historically, pre-school
music instruction has been conducted in groups, often
with parents attending and assisting students in the
lessons. This approach is very effective as young
students enjoy the interaction with peers. Parents
enjoy the opportunity to share these experiences with
their children. When children study privately, it
is very important that lessons include a variety of
activities that get the student away from the keyboard
for listening, singing, and movement activities.
Back
to top
How many levels are contained
in Music for Little Mozarts?
Music for Little Mozarts is approximately a
two-year program. The time required for completion
of each of the four levels will vary from student
to student and from class to class. On average, each
level can be completed in 18-22 weeks.
Back
to top
What
materials are included in each level of Music for
Little Mozarts?
Three books at each level guide children through a
comprehensive approach to musical learning. The Music
Lesson Books introduce musical concepts and contain
keyboard performance music. The Music Workbooks include
coloring and ear training to reinforce musical concepts.
The Music Discovery Books feature singing, listening,
music appreciation, movement, and rhythm activities.
Other materials at each level include compact disc
recordings, General MIDI recordings, and flash cards.
A starter kit (purchased at the beginning of the first
level only) contains a tote bag; Beethoven Bear and
Mozart Mouse plush animals; and a music activity board.
Back
to top
How
often and how long should my child practice?
After each lesson, your child will get an assignment
for the week. Children should practice daily for 10-15
minutes at a specific time with no interference from
other family members, the television, or the computer.
It is wise to practice as early in the day as possible,
keep a record of practice time, and establish a reward
system for effective practice. Two brief practice
times are preferable to one longer session. The parent
should sit near the child during the practice time,
so that the child doesn't feel isolated.
Back
to top
How often should my child listen
to the compact discs?
Students and parents should listen to the compact
discs on a daily basis. Some days you will listen
to specific examples from the child's assignment.
Other days you should simply listen to the entire
CD as background music. Children absorb the music
on the CD and it will motivate them to excel in music
study.
Back
to top
Do
I need a musical background to teach Music for
Little Mozarts?
The Music for Little Mozarts Piano Course is
one of the most "Parent Friendly" methods
on the market-each page of every book contains directions
for the parent/teacher. A Teacher's Guide is available,
but you may never need to use it-that's how easy this
course is to use! While the Classroom Music for
Little Mozarts program can be taught by music
teachers, it is also designed to be easily accessible
to early childhood classroom teachers who may have
little or no music background. The teacher is supported
by scripted lesson plans and, with the music on the
CDs, a teacher need not have to sing in order for
the lessons to be successful.
Back
to top
What is the difference between
the Classroom and Piano courses?
The Music for Little Mozarts Piano Course was
written to provide appropriate piano instruction for
four-, five-, and six-year-olds while simultaneously
developing listening skills. Designed for private
instruction and group lessons, the series was designed
to provide a balance between the discipline necessary
for playing the instrument and the enjoyment one gets
from the process of music-making. The course centers
around the adventures of Beethoven Bear and Mozart
Mouse as they learn about music.
Classroom Music for Little Mozarts is adapted
from the Music for Little Mozarts Piano Course
and is designed to teach general music involving singing,
listening, movement and rhythm activities in a classroom
setting for four-, five- and six-year-olds.
Back
to top
How do I use the plush toys?
The plush toys are designed to sit on the black keys
of your piano and fit comfortably in small hands.
They may be used as visual aids during the story section
of the lesson, in music games as outlined in the text,
and to illustrate musical concepts.
Back
to top
How
are the Music for Little Mozarts Piano Course
and Classroom Course better than competitive courses?
The Music for Little Mozarts Piano Course and
Classroom Music for Little Mozarts were written
by experienced music teachers who have done extensive
teaching and research in the area of early childhood.
The curriculums are specifically designed for children
4-6 years old, and include activities that take into
account their need to move, sing, play, and pretend.
The story in each lesson engages the children's imaginations
through Mozart Mouse and Beethoven Bear's musical
adventures. The story characters model the teaching
concepts of the lesson and invite the children to
learn more about these concepts through the activities
that follow. The courses also include ideas for use
in the Music Center to correlate with the lessons-on
incorporating the National Standards for Music Education-and
assessment.
Back
to top
What is unique about the Music
for Little Mozarts Piano Course?
The entire Music for Little Mozarts series
was designed to develop creativity in the young child.
The story of Beethoven Bear and Mozart Mouse continues
through the entire series and the use of the plush
toys in the actual piano instruction brings the story
to life. The integration of the three books, the compact
discs, and flash cards at each level is necessary
to gain the most from the course. The Music Discovery
Books offer the most opportunities for self-expression.
These books move beyond piano performance through
materials for singing, listening, music appreciation,
movement, and rhythm activities. Unlike other courses
that focus entirely on keyboard performance activities
(often beyond the natural technical skills and musical
understanding of the child), Music for Little Mozarts
offers a variety of activities to lay the foundation
for a lifetime of musical enjoyment.
Back
to top
Where can I learn more about
these courses?
You can find helpful information about this course
at alfred.com
on both the Piano and the School/Early Childhood
pages.
Back
to top
|
