The Junior Music Course is a unique program of weekly group lessons designed to give your child the best beginning possible for the development of basic music skills.

The Primary Course is for 4 and 5 year olds. Emphasis is placed on ear training and developing a good rhythmic sense. A variety of activities, including singing words and solfege, keyboard playing, ensembles and musical games are part of the curriculum.

Register

Download a PDF registration form here. Register before July 1 and you are entered into a draw to win a new Yamaha keyboard PSR-E413, including a keyboard stand and stool!

Age

Those who were born between Oct 31, 2003 – Oct 31, 2005 will be accepted into YJMC level I. If your child was born outside of this range, please contact Rachel Churchill at the Conservatory of Music.

Beginning at an Early Age

Research by the Yamaha Music Foundation shows that a child’s ear develops most rapidly between the ages of four and six. Since hearing development is so closely related to learning music, this is the ideal time to start developing music skills.

Group Lessons

Group lessons put children at ease. Being among friends makes learning fun, provides motivation and builds confidence that will last a lifetime. Classes are taught in groups of about ten students of similar age and abilities. Group learning is peer pleasure!

The Keyboard

The keyboard is used as a tool for learning in the Junior Music Course for the following reasons:

• A keyboard produces precise pitch.
• Three elements of music; melody, rhythm and harmony can be played simultaneously.
• Notes are easy to find and touch.
• High, middle and low sounds can be played with the same amount of effort.

The Role of the Parent

Parents are the essential link between the class experience and successful practice at home because they participate in the lesson with their children. Together in the lesson, parent and child share the joy of learning music with one another.

The Junior Music Course is a comprehensive music education program. This type of music training produces a versatile musician, capable of playing any style of music. It develops the musician from within.

With the keyboard harmony skills acquired in the Junior Music Course, your child will have the basis for creative self-expression.

Course Period

The course is offered 1 hour/week, 36 weeks/year from September 8 – June 30 (exact dates are dependant upon which day you choose).

Registration Fee

$126 ($120 + $6 gst) ($50 non-refundable; $70 towards course materials).

This fee includes the required course materials (text book, workbook, CD, DVD and music kit with bag). The course materials will be given at the first class in September.

To register your child, please fill out a Registration Form (click here to download) and submit it along with the registration fee to the Conservatory of Music, located at 303 York St, Sudbury, ON P3E 2A5. Cheques made payable to the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra.

Tuition

$20/week, for 36 weeks + gst ($756/year)

Tuition may be paid annually, bi-annually or tri-annually with the first (or full) payment made on September 8, 09.

Time Slots*

• Class A Wednesday 5:30—6:30 p.m.
• Class B Thursday 5:30—6:30 p.m.
• Class C Friday 5:30—6:30 p.m.
• Class D Saturday 1:00—2:00 p.m.
• Class E Saturday 2:00—3:00 p.m.
• Class F Saturday 3:00—4:00 p.m.

*A minimum of 5 students are required in order for a class to run, otherwise students may be asked to move to another time slot.

Location

Keyboard Lab #109 in the School of Education building at Laurentian University. 935 Ramsey Lake Rd. Heading East on Ramsey Lake Rd, turn Right on S Bay Rd, turn Right on Athletic BLDG Rd, the Parking Lot #11 and School of Education will be on the left. (Click on the map to view an enlargement.)

Additional Information

Attendance and active participation of a parent, grandparent or guardian is mandatory for each student, at each lesson. Access to a piano or an electronic keyboard at home is required.

Piano Purchase Information

A brand new Yamaha upright piano, type U1, is most recommended; however, there are numbers of different types and sizes to fit to the needs of each family and can be seen here.

As an alternate option, an electronic keyboard can be used during the Yamaha Junior Music Courses level I and level II. Various types and sizes are available and can be seen here.

If a student wishes to pursue piano lessons upon graduation of the Yamaha Junior Music Course level II, an acoustic upright piano is most recommended for students’ daily practice. Yamaha Canada Music Ltd. offers a significant discount to students of the Yamaha Junior Music Course. For more information, please contact the co-director of the Yamaha Junior Music Course, Yoko Hirota.

History

The first Yamaha Music School was in Tokyo in 1954. An initial enrollment of 150, students were taught an experimental program for young children. A unique method of instruction was developed which produced excellent results. This quickly established Yamaha’s reputation of providing top quality music instruction. Since then, the Yamaha Music Education System has grown to an organization of over 900,000 students in 40 countries worldwide. There are currently more than 4 million graduates of Yamaha Music Schools. In 1966, classes began in Canada. Today, with head offices situated in Toronto and an enrollment of over 11,000 students, Yamaha Music Schools can be found from coast to coast.