Our popular Ready, Set, Play! class has been thoughtfully adapted to an online format.
Spring 2021: REGISTER ONLINE HERE
Please indicate your scheduling preferences on the form. We will touch base after receiving your form to let you know what class options are ideal for your child. Late starts will be prorated!
Students enrolling in our classes receive Rhythm Sticks and a Music Mind Games Rainbow Xylophone sent directly to their homes to use in classes. (Please include an up-to-date mailing address on your form).
What is Ready, Set, Play?
Our Ready, Set, Play! Classes are designed to introduce fundamental elements of music study to young children incorporating Suzuki pedagogy and philosophy. Dr. Shinichi Suzuki realized that all children learn to speak their mother tongue by being exposed to language from an early age, learning in small, sequential steps, and being praised and supported in their efforts. Our Ready, Set, Play! Classes follow this method–exposing, encouraging, and preparing children for instrumental study on violin, viola, cello, guitar, flute, and piano. We encourage all families with young children to start first with Ready, Set, Play! to allow their child to fully explore each instrument. Most students take this class for multiple semesters before moving on to lessons.
Our classes are led by professional musicians with Suzuki training and a wealth of experience working with young children. Students will hear and move to live music performed by their teacher, and learn to accept instruction in small doses. Suzuki repertoire and beginning rhythms are introduced, and students are also encouraged to improvise and compose their own short pieces on the rhythm instruments.
In addition to exposing students to music, classes include activities that develop physical dexterity for the string instruments, the flute, and the piano. For example, children learn to shape a beginning bow hold for violin/viola/cello using the rhythm sticks, and students practice finger-picking on guitar. Students practice different breathing exercises for flute, while also working on flute sign language and proper hand position. For piano, we wake up our wrists and practice skips and steps using the xylophones.
Classes are designed for children aged 2-6 years old, but each class is grouped by age and generally limited to 4 students. Our online classes meet weekly for 35 minutes over the platform, Zoom. Classes are available throughout the week, in the mornings and afternoons, based around your schedule and our teachers’ availability. We also offer private 30 minute private online RSP classes.
In addition to the live classes, students enrolled in Ready, Set, Play! receive 1-2 pre-recorded videos weekly, produced by our faculty. Each week will offer a musical activity to practice with your child, and every other week students will receive a second video highlighting a particular instrument. Additionally, families will receive an invitation to observe our instrumental group classes, attend online student recitals, and attend monthly Parent Chats with Silver Music’s director. Even though we are virtual, we want you to feel and know you are a part of our community here at Silver Music.
Finally, for families in NYC we are offering the opportunity for an in-person “meet the instruments” session with our director, Ellen Silver, for an additional fee. Students will register for a 30 minute session to visit our 72nd St location and have hands-on time with each string instrument (sized for this age), the piano, and the flute/nuvo Toot, guided by Ellen. This is an opportunity for parents to see how class skills are being translated onto the real instruments and to gain further insight into their child’s interest and comfort.
Our Spring Semester begins Tuesday, January 19 through Sunday, June 6. 2021. Click Here to view our Academic Calendar, which includes holidays and school closures.
Pricing for all options are below, please email us at silvermusic@silvermusic.org with any questions.
Ready, Set, Play!
Saturday (16 classes): $699
Sunday (16 classes): $699
Monday (16 classes): $699
Tuesday (18 classes): $777
Wednesday (18 classes): $777
Thursday (18 classes): $777
Friday (18 classes): $777
Class tuition includes a $25 registration fee and $50 materials fee (xylophone and rhythm sticks). Please make sure your address is up to date on your form.
Siblings in one class pay only one tuition fee, and two material fees. (We recommend separate classes for siblings who are greater than 1 year apart).
Students re-registering for an online RSP class do not need to submit a registration form, and the material fee will be deducted from tuition.
Private In-Person “Meet the Instruments” sessions may be arranged for an additional $54/per session.
Private Online RSP classes are available for an additional $15/class x number of classes.
Classes will be recorded and sent to students in the event of an absence. Students are also granted one “live” makeup class per semester.
Has your child already taken RSP and wants to focus on one instrument?
Click Here to learn about our instrumental offerings, including Violin/Viola Readiness, Flute Readiness, and Piano Readiness.