The Kamloops Symphony Music School is pleased to offer Music for Young Children® (MYC). MYC is a Canadian music program for children. The program was developed by Frances Balodis in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia in 1980. The program now boasts over 24,000 students, 900 teachers and is offered in over 800 locations in Canada, Korea, Singapore, Vietnam and the United States. The program was designed for parents who want to introduce piano to their young children. Instruction is provided in keyboard skills, singing, ear training, theory, rhythm, sight reading, creative movement and composing.
We offer four different MYC programs. Sunshine, Sunbeams, and Moonbeams are a full year program, students must start classes in September. We also offer Sunrise which is an introductory program directed at children ages 2 & 3. Sunrise is a 10 week long program offered in three sessions throughout the year.
MYC is the only early-childhood music education method that integrates and utilizes Conservatory repertoire within our own method, working towards each MYC graduate completing their first piano exam and theory exam.
Take a look at this video about the MYC program:
Sunrise is an exciting and innovative pre-school music program for children two and three years old. Children receive instruction in singing, rhythm, and ear training with teddy bears being one of the learning "tools". This specially developed music curriculum includes stories, songs, and games. The class is 45 minutes long and runs once a week for ten weeks. There are three sessions per year.
Wednesdays, 10:30-11:15 am Start Date: September 11, 2024
This program for three and four-year-old beginners includes large muscle experiences in beat and rhythms as well as fine motor experiences in rhythm instrument ensemble playing. By the end of the first year, Sunshines are playing in C major and middle C positions and are reading from the staff. The class is one hour and runs once a week. There are approximately 36 lessons per year.
Sunshine I: Wednesdays, 1:00-2:00 pm Start Date: September 11, 2024
This program for kindergartners and first graders provides "big kid" lyrics to introduce concepts, finger numbers and keyboard geography. Songs and games are used to encourage and reinforce listening. The class is one hour and runs once a week. There are approximately 36 lessons per year.
Sunbeams I: Wednesdays, 3:30-4:30 pm Start Date: September 11, 2024
For the older beginner, ages seven through nine, the program lasts three years. Our Moonbeams want "quick results" and the songs, ensembles and keyboard repertoire are designed to support their growing sense of independence. The listening activities for this age group keep the "ears open" even as reading becomes the primary focus for gathering information. Students at the final level, Moonbeams Three, are thoroughly prepared for Grade One Conservatory examinations.
Please contact the office to inquire about times for classes.
For more information on Music for Young Children please visit www.myc.com
"I have my little guy in the Sunrise music class. He has now started the level 2 booklet and is learning so much so fast. We enjoy teacher Jane and how great she is with the kids. Thanks so much for making our Wednesday's super fun Teacher Jane!"
"My daughters have been part of the MYC program for two years and it has been amazing to see how quickly this program helps them progress. The curriculum, and group setting make learning fun and give them a great musical foundation. They also love Teacher Jane!"
Due to convictions of our faculty and because our classes include children from a variety of cultural and religious backgrounds, we may not use songs related to Christmas, Halloween, Birthdays, etc. A parent or authorized guardian must attend all lessons with the child. The adult is there to show the child how to participate and to help him/her to keep pace with the group.