Build & Play: Inventor’s Music Session
The “Build & Play: Inventor’s Music Session” is a dynamic 60-minute workshop tailored for elementary school-aged children, transforming the program into an “Inventors’ Lab” where kids can become young music innovators. Two music teachers will guide the children through the process of creating their own musical instruments from everyday materials. We will provide all the necessary supplies, including cardboard tubes, rubber bands, beans, and tins. The session kicks off with an inspirational story about musical inventors, such as Adolphe Sax (saxophone) and Bartolomeo Cristofori (piano), setting the stage for creativity and problem-solving. Children will then dive into crafting their unique instruments, such as guitars, violins, and shakers, with each crafted item becoming part of a larger “symphony.”
As the workshop progresses, the focus shifts to teamwork and composition. With their new instruments in hand, children will explore the sounds they’ve created, learning how each contributes to the group’s musical piece. This collaborative effort not only teaches them about music but also about teamwork and innovation. The session will wrap up with a mini-concert where all participants perform together, showcasing their collective creativity and the sounds of their inventions. This hands-on activity not only fosters a love for music but also encourages problem-solving, innovation, and an appreciation for what can be achieved with imagination and simple materials.
Rhythmic Craft Station
At the “Rhythmic Craft Station,” children are introduced to the fascinating world of rhythm, beginning with a lively lesson on the fundamentals of beats and tempo. This educational segment captivates young minds, explaining how music is structured through time, guiding them to tap, clap, and feel the pulse of different rhythms. With this new knowledge, kids are then invited to become rhythm inventors, crafting their very own shakers using eco-friendly materials. They fill plastic bottles with rice, beans, or beads, each choice altering the sound and feel of their shaker, creating a personalized instrument that resonates with their unique sense of rhythm.
The crafting process at the station isn’t just about sound; it’s an artistic endeavor as well. Children are encouraged to personalize their shakers, turning them into vibrant pieces of art with markers, stickers, or paint, thus merging the worlds of music and visual art. Once their shakers are complete, the session culminates in a “Rhythm Circle,” where all the young musicians gather. Here, they put their new skills and instruments to the test, collaboratively producing beats, experimenting with syncopation, and creating a spontaneous symphony of shakers. This interactive finale not only reinforces their understanding of rhythm but also celebrates the joy of collective music-making, leaving each child with a sense of accomplishment and the beat of creativity in their hearts.
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Music Note Origami
Step into the “Music Note Origami” workshop, where the realms of music and art converge through the delicate art of paper folding. Here, children embark on an educational journey, starting with an introduction to basic music notations. They learn about quarter notes, 8th notes, and rests, gaining a foundational understanding of how these elements compose the language of music. This knowledge is immediately applied as they begin crafting origami figures that represent these musical symbols, each crease and fold teaching them about rhythm and duration in a tactile, memorable way.
As the session progresses, the children’s origami notes transform from simple paper into a vibrant, visual representation of music. They are guided to glue these handcrafted notes onto a canvas or large sheet of paper, creating what could be considered an “art score.” This final piece is not just a collection of notes but a unique, personalized composition where the visual art of origami meets the auditory art of music. Through this activity, kids not only enhance their understanding of music theory but also leave with a tangible piece of art that symbolizes their journey into the world of music through creativity and manual dexterity.
Social Skills
If children play in a group, they have to learn to work together to achieve a common goal, exercising tolerance, patience, and encouragement towards their peers.
Build Language Skills
As they learn their instrument, children become accustomed to different sounds that they would not have recognized before. This practice trains their ears for the nuances and subtle sounds of language.
Understand Culture
By learning music from various parts of the globe, students come to understand these cultures, whether it’s African drumming or Argentine tango music
Feel Good About Themselves
There’s nothing quite like the sense of pride that comes from working on building a new skill for an extended period of time…especially when the result is beautiful music.
Bring Joy
When children can play music, it makes them happy…and everyone else too.
Increase Their IQ
Numerous studies (including this one in 2004 by E. Glenn Schellenberg) have proven that children’s IQs increase because of even a few weeks of music lessons. Brain scan technology reveals that brain activity increases following musical training, and some parts of the brain even grow larger!
Willan Academy of Music
Since 2015
Students
Classes Taught
Concerts
Phone
Opening Hours
Mon-Fri: 9 AM – 5 PM
Sat-Sun: 9 AM – 5 PM
Address
244 Madison Avenue #171
New York, NY 10016