August 24th, 2010 | 
Creative Music Programmes for Children
Coda Music brings joy into the lives of children - helping build creativity and communication skills, enhancing collaboration and self esteem and building both mental and physical co-ordination skills.
Our unique Early Years classes are lively, varied and fun for everyone - providing a structured but informal framework in music and dance learning and development for children aged from 0-7 and led by teachers who have a wealth of experience in this very specialist area. All our classes are held at the Coda Music Centre and are supported by volunteer assistants.
Coda incorporates the Kodaly concepts and methods to support learning and with small group sizes and age specific groups (from toddlers and tots to minors and majors) we try to offer the best start in music. You can find out more about Kodaly here.
Many children have enjoyed learning at Coda through much of their life (one even teaches here now!) and these early years groups aim to give the best possible introduction to enjoying and learning to play music.
We have recently received some very positive feedback from our classes ..............
"The classes are fun and vibrant and my child looks forward to attending each week. The environment is engaging and uplifting and much of the learning occurs unconsciously, as the children are so absorbed by the fun they are having. In addition, I feel that the classes have helped to build my child's self-confidence and social skills".
"Both my children love their lessons and it is a real highlight of the week. It has been great watching their musical skills develop and to see their enthusiasm for music grow".
"My grandson has gone from a shy sensitive little boy to one with confidence, interacting with other children and adults, ability to sing, learn song words, play the different instruments, plus marching, dancing, count with songs, know colours, beat in time, know names of animals, lap songs and so many other things. The whole thing is learning but such fun for the children at the same time".
Our Early Years classes run throughout the week at a cost of £5.50 per session with the first Taster Session free. Please get in touch for more information on a group to suit your child.
At present, classes for various age groups run on the following days and times:-
MUSIC TODDLERS - 18 mths to 3 yrs
Fridays at 9.30am
MUSIC TOTS - 3 to 4 yrs
Tuesdays, and Fridays at 2.15pm
NEW - An additional class on Fridays now available at 10.00am
MUSIC MINORS - 4 to 5 yrs
Mondays at 4.00pm
MUSIC MAJORS - 5 to 6 yrs
Mondays at 4.45pm
Baby Ballet
Baby Ballet is a great introduction to the world of dance for 2-4 year olds. In 2005 Coda was one of the first in the area to offer a class to children as young as two in ballet. The activities are based on the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabus which aims to enhance imagination, creativity and confidence, whilst building core strength and stability to help every day co-ordination and growth.
The class consists of imagination games and mimes, jumps, gallops and rhythm to help them in the future should they choose to continue their training. The recent changes in the RAD syllabus have focused on making ballet more fun, using inspiring music, and also improving fitness in changes (this is more relative in the higher grades).
Coda also offers a unique exam experience for its Baby Ballet students. Rose Awards are examinations provided through the British Theatre and Dance Association (BTDA). There are two levels; Silver and Gold Rose. Both consist of two exercises followed by a mime. This is done in front of an examiner but with the dance teacher in the room also. The outcome is a comment sheet and certificate with 3 different marking levels; Pass, Merit and Distinction and they also recieve a trophy. This is a lovely way to introduce exam format to very young children. Having their teacher present reduces the normal stress levels that children always feel at exam time. However, these exams are not compulsory and depending on age/ability and length of time in the class the children may not get to do both levels; every child is unique!
Classes cost £5.50 per 30 minute session with the first Taster Session free and they take place on MONDAYS at 1.30pm