Rhythm Kids Music Classes ....for Big Kids*!

(*please note that our Spring RKI classes are for 4's and 5's)

In each weekly music class, we drum, sing, move, and play to rhythms inspired by musical traditions around the world, from West African Gahu, to Japanese Taiko, to Brazilian Samba, just to name a few.

Students learn to compose, choreograph, and conduct as they play—and play with!—a variety of musical instruments: West African djembe drums, percussion instruments, and, the most important instruments of all, their voices and their bodies. As your big kid learns to think and create like a musician, they’ll also build musical connections to the global community. Classes include:

• immersion in the musical language of many cultures
• playful music games with rules
• opportunities to lead, balanced with opportunities to collaborate
• deep exposure to complex, fun, and rockin' music
• many chances to solo, improvise, and work in ensembles
• rich, creative experimentation and expression, improvisation, and innovation

  Rhythm Kids Level I

• Classes are for children ages *4 and 5 and include:

  ·       10 weekly, 45-minute classes

  ·       Animal Collection Songbook and CD each semester

• ·       Access to online drum-play videos and other material

  ·       Level I classes are intended as a parent-child class. Drop-off may be considered at the discretion of the classroom instructor.

  Drums will be provided for the class each week, but if you’d like your child to have a drum to play with at home (and then continue to use in Level II classes!), please speak to your teacher - we're pleased to help you source one!  (*please note:  Children MUST be four years old as of the first class)

The Voice, the Body & the Drum

Although we typically play African djembe drums in class, Rhythm Kids is way more than just a drumming class, as our main focus is to develop rhythm using the voice, the body and the instrument. Classes include singing, movement, rhythm activities, games, improvisation, and drumming patterns. Children learn and experience the drum patterns in chant form first, and then transfer that learning into drumming and movement, some of which is based on traditional folk dance. Classes include activities and instrument play that allow children to create and express themselves through music and movement, multicultural rhythm patterns, songs from around the world, and music-based games and activities.

Drums will be provided for the class each week.