First Steps in Music is the Stony Brook University Children's Music Program for children
entering pre-K through 1st grade. Designed for early childhood, these classes develop
motor and language skills through songs and creative movement while encouraging constructive
social interactions through group activities and games. This joyful experience ignites
a musical spark for a lifetime of learning and builds up readiness for more formal
music training.
Through singing, instrumental exploration, movement and games, children are given
an appetite for music. In a playful manner, children develop sensory awareness, language,
motor, creative and social skills along with gaining a wide repertoire of music.
The First Steps in Music curriculum is a musical workout that grows tuneful, beatful and artful individuals.
There are eight different activities in each workout and, like aerobics, in the beginning
some participants will likely be clumsy in some aspects of the workout, but if they
give it their best, they are bound to improve! And, like an aerobics workout, the
more one participates the better the effect. Balancing repetition and variety is key
to each workout being effective and interesting. The following are the 8 musical workout
activities:
Pitch Exploration (Vocal Warm-ups)
Fragment Singing -Â Echo Songs &Â Call and Response Songs
Simple Songs
Arioso (Child created tunes)
Songtales
Movement Exploration (Movement Warm-ups)
Movement for Form and Expression
Movement with the Beat
Created by John Feierabend, Ph.D., First Steps in Music is a developmentally appropriate and carefully researched early childhood music program taught
by Craig Knapp. Classes are offered from September through June for children in Pre-K through 2nd
Grade.
First Steps in Music Level 1 is for children entering Pre-K and Kindergarten in the Fall of 2021. This class provides activities for children to further develop their tuneful, beatful, and artful
abilities. Folk songs and rhymes as well as classical music are the primary source
materials that are used to develop their musical minds and abilities.
First Steps in Music Level 2 is for children entering 1st Grade and 2nd Grade in the Fall of 2021. This class
provides more advanced and age appropriate music experiences for children who have
had a foundation and background with tuneful, beatful and artful activities. Folk
songs and rhymes as well as classical music are the primary source materials that
are used to develop their musical minds and abilities.
SCHEDULE
First Steps in Music Level 1 (Pre-K and Kindergarten) Saturdays, 9:00 AM – 9:50 AM, Music Building Room 0111
First Steps in Music Level 2 (1st and 2nd grades) Saturdays, 10:00 AM – 10:50 AM, Music Building Room 0111