The Boston Conservatory Music Program for Young Children on the Autism Spectrum

From The Boston Conservatory

February 27, 2015

The Boston Conservatory Music Program for Young Children on the Autism Spectrum is a fun and engaging way for parents to introduce their young children on the autism spectrum (ages 3-8) to music.

Taught by students and alumni of The Boston Conservatory’s renowned Music Education program, these 45-minute “mommy and me”-style lessons take place every Saturday at the school’s state-of-the-art training facilities, and run for ten weeks, beginning in September, 2015.

Curriculum

This first-of-its-kind program employs a diverse curriculum designed to nurture a broad musical foundation through hands-on experiences and engaging activities.

In each class, children will use handheld percussion instruments (drums, bells, shakers) to create musical soundscapes, as well as practice steady beat and rhythmic patterns. Through the use of movement props (scarves, bean bags, parachutes, etc.), children will discover different ways to engage with music, including expressive movement, dramatic play and interaction with large-motor illustrations of musical elements, such as tempo, form and dynamics.

The repertoire for this program consists of original compositions created specially for each student by their instructor. Families will receive a CD of songs from class to play at home.

Opoortunities

Children who participate in this program will gain:

• Musical opportunities and basic musical skills

• Social experience through music

• Opportunities to develop gross and fine motor skills

The program will also provide families with a supportive community of fellow students on the spectrum and the Conservatory’s experienced graduate student music education instructors.

For more information, please contact Rhoda Bernard, Ed.D.

Rhoda Bernard, Ed.D.
Director of Professional Education and Enrichment
rbernard@bostonconservatory.edu
(617) 912-9104