In support of Solfeg

If you are new to using Solfeg or Solfeggio (The term Solfeggio is Italian, translations vary and can be used interchangeably.)  and wondering more about why we spend so much time on incorporating it into Let's Play Music, here is a bit more information.
Solfege means rather than singing the note names (C, D, E , F etc.) we sing and play on syllables
(Do, Re, Mi, Fa, etc.)  The popular song from the musical, "The Sound of Music" showed Maria teaching the children to sing by using the song " Do, a Deer."  Let's Play Music has used this method of  using music to teach musical concepts in all of our curriculum.  Spoiler Alert:  I can not wait to teach rhythm next semester in Blue Bugs, our bug chant is one of my favorites!

I was taught Solfeg for the first time in high school by our choir director.  I remember thinking it was odd.  It was also hard to learn, as a 16-17 year old, understanding how to add these syllables to the pitches we sang and using hand signs at the same time.
After watching my own 4 and 6 year old (both Let's Play Music first year students,) pick up the syllables and the hand signs with ease, I see now what my choir director was trying to accomplish with a bunch of high schoolers.  They are able to relate pitch from their voices (a child's first instrument) to their tone bells and the piano!
We use Zoltan Kodaly's method of adding hand signs which allow the children to feel the major scale.  The hand signs are structured in a a way that each one accurately links the pitch to its function within the scale.
We even use Solfeg "high fives" in class!  Ask your child to give you a "Ti tap" or a "Do bomb."  :)

Here is a great article in favor of using Solfeg with some interesting perspective if you would like to learn more.



http://blog.brillkids.com/?p=126

Classes are off to a fabulous start!  We are having fun and learning so much about music.  I will be accepting students until the end of September and then registration will be closed until spring.  I will be accepting a minimal amount of first year students next year.  This means if you know someone who would love this program or if you want your child to have the musical foundation to succeed in anything, register now!  Click on the link above and if you have not seen a class yet, please contact me to observe a FREE class this month.

Check it out!
Magical Lamp puppet show: Carmen Aragonaise

Here is a link to a wonderful performance of Aragonaise which is the piece we are using for our Magical Lamp puppet show.  Have you child watch with you and see if they can identify the different characters and instruments!
Ms. Robin

Fall Semester Begins Soon!

I am so excited to start teaching Red Balloons (the first semester in the first year of the Let's Play Music Program. ) I have ordered supplies and am eagerly awaiting the giant box of tone bells, music, and workbooks to arrive on my door step. I still have a few openings on Mondays at 1pm and Tuesdays at 4:45pm. If you are interested, please let me know. If anyone in the Thursday 4:30pm class would like to switch to Tue at 4:45pm, please let me know. I will be starting classes the week of Aug. 20th and teaching weekly until Dec 10 (with a few weeks off in the middle for various Holidays.) The calendar for the 2012/2013 year is available on the blog now! Parent Orientation (Mandatory for every student to have 1 parent attend) is Monday night, Aug. 13 at 7:30pm. We will begin promptly at 7:30 and plan to be here 30-45 minutes.

Let's Play Music on the news!

Let's Play Music was on the news!  Do you want to see what first year class is like?  Here is a great example from another wonderful LPM teacher.  If you want to learn more, come check out a sample class for FREE on July 30 at 10am or 4pm!  Contact me to reserve a spot for your child, bring a friend!  

2 spaces left in the sample class next week!

Hope everyone has fun celebrating all the dads in their life this weekend!  Yes, Sunday is Father's Day, in case you have forgotten :)  Also, Just a quick reminder that I have 2 spaces remaining in the FREE sample classes on Monday, the very next day! 
If you are at all interested in attending a class to see what Let's Play Music is all about, please let me know to reserve a spot for you on Monday, June 18 at 4pm (the 10:00am class is now full, if you wanted to attend and these times do not work for you, I have a waiting list for the next sample class which will probably be in mid August.  If you would like your name on this list, please comment on this blog or facebook or E-mail me with your name, phone number, and e mail and I will make sure to contact you when another class date is set.)
 Hope to see many of you next week and have a wonderful summer!
If you wonder what I am talking about, please check out the video below :) www.letsplaymusicsite/video 

Sample classes nearly full!

I just wanted to remind those who are interested in attending a FREE sample class for Let's Play Music this summer that I have 3 spots left at the 10am class and 2 spots in the 4pm class both being held on June 18 in Loveland. Please contact me if you are at all interested in reserving a spot for your child and seeing what Let's Play Music is all about.  Check out the video below to see an overview of the program.

What fun we had sharing Let's Play Music at Kids Days at Centerra in Loveland yesterday! Thanks to everyone who stopped by our table and said "Hi!" I am so excited to teach 2 more sample classes this month. I have a few spots left, please let me know ASAP which one you would like to attend with your child! Siblings welcome :) Please contact me for more info or to reserve your spot in the 10am class on Monday,June 18th or the 4pm class on Monday, June 18th. Hope to see you there and here are some photos of Let's Play Music at Centerra!