The Home School Program at Pecknel Music began September 1993, as part of Pecknel Music's desire to provide music for every child. Since then, it has grown steadily, and currently makes up about 20% of our studio population. We offer classes in recorder, music theory and music appreciation, as well as private and small group lessons in piano, band instruments, strings and voice. Our Home School Band, which began in 1994 with five students, now numbers over 35. The band performed at the South Carolina Home Educators Association state convention in April of 1995, and performs annually at Haywood Mall in Greenville during the Christmas season. Our Home School Orchestra was begun in 1996. Every month we consult with new families wanting to expand the role of music in their home education. We offer them a free Home School Curriculum Guide and assistance in choosing activities and materials appropriate for their families.
Because we were the first in the country to start this type of program, we have been privileges to participate in several national ventures. Since 1994, we have participated in the Home Education Leadership Conference, held in Greenville at Bob Jones University. "HELP" is an annual week-long conference attended by 2,000 plus home schoolers from all over the United States and Canada. We have the opportunity to help families with curriculum and material selection, and we also teach a series of workshops on Music and the Home School Family. In addition, we have been asked to speak at several conferences for music retailers about our program, and help others around the country start similar outreaches to home schoolers.
If you are home schooling, please do not hesitate to contact us - our desire is to see families getting involved in music and experience the benefits (both tangible and intangible) of making music a vital part of their homes.
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Why Home Schoolers Are Especially Suited to Music Education
Don't think only in terms of traditional classroom music, but try to see music as an integral part of a broader home learning experience. Because there is no achievement testing in music, you are free to study it in whatever ways suit your particular family.
By making music a part of your studies at all levels, you will be filling a huge void in your children's curricula. You will have the privilege of introducing your children to the joy of musical experience, and to all of the many lifelong benefits of music education in their families. You have chosen to home school precisely because you want to be involved in your childrens' studies, and this is a tremendous advantage to your children as they study music. While other parents need to be reminded constantly about the importance of involvement in their children's musical studies, home schooling parents are very eager to be involved. Here at Pecknel Music, our home schooling parents are the most supportive in our music studios!
For families with children of varying ages, music gives them something in which to participate together. A shared creative experience perhaps not as feasible in math or art, for example. Our families have done music services at the Greenville Rescue Mission, and at local nursing homes. Thus, music can be a ministry for your family as well. Many communities have local youth orchestras, etc., in which your child can participate once they have taken lessons for a while.
When studying music in the home environment, practice time becomes a scheduled part of your day, not an after-school "extra" as it does for school children (see assignment sheet). While one child is practicing, the parent is free to work with other children. Meanwhile, you can be listening to quality music all day long; certainly this is not possible in the traditional classroom. Your children can acquire a taste for and a knowledge of good classical music, and this type of listening has been shown to increase test scores, as well.
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Where Should I Start?
The first step in beginning a music program for your home schoolers is to determine the specific needs and interests of your family. Your family may have a variety of interests within the realm of music education. Here at Pecknel Music, we offer a full range of courses tailored especially to the needs of home-educated children.
What types of musical activities should you include in your home education? The Music Educators National Conference delineates the characteristics of a quality music education program:
All children from kindergarten through grade eight receive a comprehensive, well- balanced, sequential program that includes singing, rhythmic activities, use of instruments, music reading, improvising, creating music and information about music. All students have the opportunity to sing in a chorus and to learn to play a string, woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument" (Dorothy A. Straub, "Is Music Education Declining?", Music Educator's Journal, Vol. 80, No.4 (January 1994), p.4).
Certainly, these standards apply as well to home school children. But home school families also have the potential for some unique musical ventures. For example, several larger home school families have begun family handbell choirs. One family formed a "recorder consort" -- two sopranos, an alto, and a tenor. Another family has formed a woodwind quintet: flute, oboe, clarinet, alto saxophone, and bassoon. Larger families with children of widely varying ages may be especially suited to using Orff instruments, and could stage some wonderful seasonal musicals written for Orff instruments and voices. Favorite Hymns, Instruments in Praise, and other similar instrumental collections make it possible for several different instruments to play together with or without piano accompaniment.
Again, please don't hesitate to contact us if we can be of further assistance in selecting materials for your home schooling!
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Especially for Home Schoolers
Pecknel Music offers a unique program of music classes and lessons especially tailored to the needs of home schoolers. In addition to music classes for children of all ages, private and small-group lessons are offered in piano, voice, and band instruments; and for younger children, recorder classes will be given. Instruction is open to all home schoolers, regardless of previous musical experience. For more information, or for registration forms, please contact Tracy Leenman, Pecknel's Music Education Coordinator, at (864)244-7881. We value your input, so if you have comments or suggestions, please let us know- we are here to serve you!
Private and Small-Group Instrumental Instruction
Band instrument and guitar instruction for students in the fifth grade and up; string instrument instruction for students fourth grade and up. No previous musical training is necessary. Instrumental music instruction in technique, theory and performance of classical music literature. Instruction is available on all band instruments: private lessons for students of all levels, beginners through college prep, and small-group lessons (three to five students per group) for beginning students.
Private and Semi-Private Piano and Keyboard Lessons
For students in the fourth grade and up; no previous musical training necessary. Extensive keyboard study and instruction in the basic principles of music. Private lessons for all levels, beginners through college prep, and semi private lessons for beginning students.
Classes
Students will purchase their own texts and necessary supplies for classes, unless otherwise noted
Recorders
Small-group instruction for third and fourth graders. Provides an excellent introduction to the essentials of music reading, and a great way to prepare your child to begin studying a band instrument later on. Level I for beginners, no previous musical experience; Level II for those who have completed Level I or an equivalent course of instruction. Also available: Mommy and Me classes for parents and children.
Music Theory
Level I will cover the fundamentals of music notation, harmony, rhythm, and ear-training. Music Theory II will also be offered, for those completing Level I or an equivalent.
Music Appreciation
An introduction to the various instruments of the orchestra, and a general survey of classical music literature and major composers.
Kindermusik
Basic musicianship for three to eight year olds. Kindermusik will give your child a foundation for future music study, including ear training, singing, rhythmic movement, keyboard exploration, ensemble playing, beginning music reading, and Orff techniques.
Home School Band and Home School Orchestra
This program is intended to introduce children to the fundamentals of ensemble playing, and to provide them with the opportunity to rehearse and perform with other home-schooled students. Minimum one semester of playing experience required. The group meets on Thursdays throughout the school year, for 45 minutes per week; the cost is $10.00 per month for those students not currently taking private lessons at our Music Education Center (there is no charge for those taking weekly private lessons here).
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