SINGING: Songbirds Introductory (Ages 6 - 9)

Little Songbirds is an introductory singing class for children ages 4-5 who love to sing!

Students will learn foundational singing concepts such as pitch, breath energy, diction, and rhythm as well as vocal exploration and musicianship in a fun and inclusive environment. Classes include carefully selected songs with age-appropriate lyrics that children can relate to for expressive singing.

Our classes introduce and foster a love of music first and foremost. We aim to have fun engaging lessons while always learning something new 🎶

Pre-readers

Little songbirds is designed for children who are not yet at reading level but will still explore lyrics, sight words and expressive words enhancing their literacy and lyric knowledge

Technique

Little Songbirds teaches foundational singing concepts, vocal exploration, and musicianship in a FUN and inclusive environment

The Songbirds: Level One program is designed for older beginners and graduates of our introductory singing class, or students who have had some experience in previous music lessons (e.g., piano lessons/choir).

Sight Singing

DO to High DO'; Middle C to High C

Note Identification on Treble Staff (Letters; Fixed DO; DO - TI)

Steps and Skips

Scales, Triads and Arpeggios

Technique

Breath Technique

Speech Sounds; Primary Vowels

Articulation: Staccato and Legato; Fermata (Sustained notes)

Dynamics: Crescendo and Decrescendo; pp, p, mp, mf, f, ff

Performance Technique

Song Introductions

Microphone Technique

Scales 

Major Scale

Chromatic Scale

Rhythm & Time

Crotchet, Minim, Semibreve, Quavers Notes & Rests; Dotted Notes

2/4, 3/4, 4/4

Music Theory

Writing Music

Musical Alphabet

Keyboard Geography

Accidentals

Semitones

Aural

Melodic Sing-Back / Call and Response

Interval Identification and Singing

Ascending: major 2nd, major 3rd, perfect 4th, perfect 5th, Octave

Descending: minor 3rd, Perfect 4th, Octave

The Storytellers program features five themed workbooks, each lasting around 12 weeks. Students learn piano through familiar stories, with songs that bring characters to life and games that teach key musical skills in a fun, engaging way.

Designed for group learning, each song can be played solo or as part of an ensemble, with multiple difficulty levels to suit different learners. 

Both pre-reader and reader versions are available, making the program ideal for a range of ages and abilities.

Key Objectives

Musical Elements - each workbook focuses on a different musical element which both informs learners' understanding of the foundations of music, but also helps to make the learning musical and engaging

• Dynamics
• Tempo
• Structure
• Pitch
• Melodies

Pitch Names/Notation

• Pre-readers - melodic contour with rhythmic notation
• Readers - treble clef notation - middle C to treble F 

Technique and Articulation

• Hand posture
• 5-finger C position - RH
• moving hand position
• playing octaves (across RH and LH)
• concept of staccato and legato, beginning technique

Rhythm and Time Signatures

• Quarter, Half, and Whole notes 
• Songs in 2/4, 2/4, and 4/4 time

Scales, Chords, and Keys

• Songs in C Major, A Minor
• C Major Scale
• Chords I and Vb in C Major
  

Composition

Each workbook includes a composition, where students get to compose for a particular part of the story or character, bringing together all of their knowledge and understanding about how music can illustrate feelings and characters.

KeyNotes Play is the perfect starting point for older beginners who are ready to dive into piano with confidence and creativity. This group class introduces music reading, technique, and ensemble skills in a fun and supportive environment, using colourful stories, games, and layered challenge levels so every student can progress at their own pace.

Key Objectives

Each unit focuses on building core musical skills through engaging pieces, rhythmic activities, and student reflection. Students learn to:

• Develop music reading using landmark notes and directional reading
• Recognise and apply rhythmic values from crotchets to quavers and dotted rhythms
• Play with musical expression, using dynamics, tempo, and articulation
• Track their own learning through self-evaluation and "What do I know?" boxes 

Pitch Names & Notation

• Treble clef and bass clef reading
• Middle C to high A, including skips, steps, and intervals to a 5th
• Introduction of accidentals (flats and sharps) and enharmonic notes
• Reading and identifying chords and lead lines

Technique & Articulation

• Proper hand posture and finger independence
• Playing in 5-finger C and G minor positions
• Moving between hand positions and learning octave placement
• Exploring legato, staccato, and syncopated rhythms
• Playing triads and 12-bar blues basslines

Rhythm & Time Signatures

Reading and performing with:

• Semibreves, minims, crotchets, quavers, dotted minims
• Quaver and crotchet rests
• Playing in 2/4, 3/4, and 4/4 time
• Tied notes, syncopation, and rhythmic improvisation

Scales, Chords & Keys

• Songs in C Major, G Minor, A Minor
• C Major scale and triads
• Primary chords (I, IV, V) and 12-Bar Blues
• Understanding and identifying chord symbols (I, IV, V) and positions