The Young Musicians curriculum
is unique to the Conservatory. It is a spiraling and continuous curriculum,
each level building upon the previous level with something new and musically
educational for each age group. The curriculum is based on the most
comprehensive research in the field of early childhood music education,
particularly the philosophies of the great 20th century music pedagogues,
Carl Orff and Zoltàn Kodàly, whose theories are used as
models for teachers worldwide. Together with the insights of modern
research and classical, folk and ethnic music traditions, the curriculum
is pedagogically strong and musically rich.
Our YM classes reflect a gradual evolution from experience-centered to knowledge-centered learning that mirrors the natural development of children. Young children first experience music internally through body and voice - the whole body is the instrument of learning. As children progress through the curriculum, the cognitive elements of reading and writing music are introduced.