My child is in 1st or 2nd grade. Is it too late to start?
It is the right time. Intermediate is the CMA curriculum for children who start in 1st or 2nd grade. The same foundation as Junior, taught at a faster pace because your child is ready for it. About an hour once a week, with you in the room, through graduation.
- 1st and 2nd grade
- multiyear course at a faster pace
- about an hour a week
- parent in the room
Built for a child who starts a little older
A 7 year old reads, counts and concentrates in ways a 5 year old is still growing into. Intermediate uses that. The activities are the same kind as Junior's, songs, games, ensemble playing and work at the keyboard, and the curriculum moves through them more quickly, so a child who starts in 2nd grade still graduates with the whole foundation.
What an Intermediate class looks like
The keyboard is home base. In an hour your child plays, sings, reads notes and rhythms, trains the ear, writes short pieces, and plays with the group. Recorder, guitar and percussion are woven in as the course goes on. By graduation your child has played a keyboard, a wind instrument, a string instrument and percussion, and can read, hear and make music rather than copy it.
By graduation
- Play the keyboard with both hands, reading from the staff.
- Sing in tune and in parts.
- Read, write and clap rhythm; read and write melody.
- Play back a phrase by ear.
- Compose and perform an original piece.
- Play recorder, basic guitar and a range of percussion.
- Move on to private lessons on a chosen instrument with a real head start, if that is the path your child picks.
What you do
You take part and you learn alongside your child. Parents of Intermediate children often say the best part is watching their child apply something new in real time, in the room, at a keyboard, the week after it was taught. Home fun is a few minutes a day at the start, about 10 minutes a day by the graduation year, and you know how to do it because you were there.
“I wish all education could be like Children's Music Academy where my three children have felt special, successful, and competent. Music is not a frill, it's one of the basics that should be included in a child's life.”
“My daughter, Molly, recently graduated from the CMA program, and I can honestly say it was one of the most valuable investments that we have ever made. She was given excellent instruction in piano, music theory and ear training, and most importantly, a love for music!”
Questions about Intermediate
My child is 8. Is Intermediate right, or is it too late?
Intermediate is for children who begin in 1st or 2nd grade, and it is written for exactly that start. Children who begin older than that still make strong progress, especially in hearing music by ear. Call (417) 425-4618 and we will tell you where your child fits.
Is this a beginner class?
Yes. Every CMA course assumes no prior lessons.
How long does Intermediate take?
Intermediate is a multiyear course that runs through graduation, including summers, and it is shorter than Junior because of the pace. We will tell you the finish year when we place your child.
What happens after graduation?
Graduates read, hear and play music and have handled several instruments. Many go on to private lessons on the instrument they chose, with a foundation that private teachers notice. Some continue at CMA when a Masters year is offered; ask us.
Get your 1st or 2nd grader on the list
Or call (417) 425-4618.
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