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Musique Savante™ |
Summer 2011 |
News Issue No. 11 |
In This Issue
Contact Us Phone: Email: info@musiquesavante.com
We Want To Hear From You! Share a funny student story with us. We may even print it for others to read. Click on link below to submit your anecdote.
Did you miss a previous newsletter? Click here to view
|
Hi from Musique Savante!
The extreme weather conditions our country has experienced during the first half of the year has certainly been tragic for many. How important are our jobs as teachers to continue to support our student and their families in any way that we can. This was very much on my mind during the recent Music Teachers National Association conference in Wisconsin, at which Musique Savante was represented. I hope that all the theory tools that you have will inspire and enrich your students, and Musique Savante loves to be part of your toolchest.
Issue no. 10 of the Musique Savante Newsletter featured the work and insights of Sarah Lyngra, owner of Yellow Cat Publishing. This issue presents a conversation I had with Kris Skaletski, program co-ordinator and creator of KiddyKeys.
One More Thing: Thanks to Marie Mendelow-Balcom of Nashua Community Music School, and who also teaches independently in Merrimack, NH. Marie brightened my convention experience with her enthusiastic endorsement of the Toss-a-Tune Notespeller when she declared, “This is freakin’ brilliant!” You can reach Marie at musicrsa@aol.com or at marie.mendelow@gamil.com.
Notes from an Inventor: Kris Skaletski
I met Kris at the 2011 MTNA Conference and we talked about the program that she has created.
Me: KiddyKeys is a music preparation program for preschool children. So, how did you conceive the idea to put together this method, along with all the tools that you’ve added?
Kris: I had just read an article about a large, local pre-school, and at the time had also been receiving requests from the parents of our current students to teach piano to their younger children. These two things led us, in our studio, to see both the need and desire in our community for a program introducing the little ones to music concepts and the piano. We wanted to do this in a manner that incorporated multiple learning styles (visual, auditory, tactile/kinesthetic). KiddyKeys took the traditional ideas of movement and music and built a music curriculum that centered on the piano, without the performance and practice requirements of traditional lessons. Now, KiddyKeys not only prepares a young child for music lessons, but also helps prepare the child for school. Thus, we also focus on positive social skills and character development.
Me: KiddyKeys uses so many wonderful manipulative materials! Tell me about these games and aids.
Kris: We actually started with lesson plans and then decided which games and instruments could support the lessons. Since our collective teaching experience equals more than 50 years, we knew which tools (acrylic notes, staffs, etc.) worked well and would stand up to the use of children. We put many of those tools into the formal KiddyKeys teacher kit that each teacher now utilizes. We did not copy any games that are currently in use, but took ideas that already existed and tailored them to meet the needs of the youngsters in our classes. For example, first teaching the keynotes of C, F and G in different positions leads to using card games for learning intervals. Also, we’ve adapted basic games like Fish, Bingo, War, Gin Rummy and Solitaire for the theory lessons. We also created a “Train Game” for teaching the music alphabet and stepping/skipping notes.
Me: Anyone who not only creates lesson plans and the manipulatives that support it, but who also works to market it encounters some bumps along the way. Tell us about some of your challenges with KiddyKeys.
Kris: Getting materials printed the way we wanted took some steps. We learned to consult and work in conjunction with both the graphic artist and the printer. It was months before we discovered that by simply changing the size of our paper product we could save considerable printing costs! We should have worked with a printer from the beginning. Also, we initially planned to create a board game for KiddyKeys, but after running into production/printing cost issues, the game was indefinitely tabled. Our biggest issues were game piece procurement and game board size since we wanted it to be bigger than the typical 20 x 20. The logistics for the board game exist, but it’s in my “future project” file.
Me: Which aspects of your company have you had to hire others to do?
Kris: I have an accountant, a lawyer, a graphic artist and have independent IT support. Everything else is done by me.
Me: Now for my favorite question. What is your greatest joy in being a creator of KiddyKeys?
Kris: It’s seeing the look of understanding and joy on a child’s face as he experiences music. It’s hearing that the KiddyKeys teachers have such satisfaction in what they’re doing and in achieving their personal and professional goals. There are always small “fires” to put out and mundane business tasks to complete, but that’s just part of the process. I’m fortunate to be able to work at what I love so much.
Me: Any practical advice for other teachers?
Kris: For anyone pursuing music game invention or the creation of a music learning process, seek input from professionals at every stage. Look ahead in the journey, and gain input from the next phase of the project while developing the current phase.
Me: How about some final words of wisdom?
Kris: Children don’t surprise me, but they can impress me. I look at each of them, knowing that “they can,” and I teach them in the same manner.
Thank you, Kris, for sharing your story and your insights. I look forward to hearing more about KiddyKeys in the future.
Next Issue: TBA
As always, if you have a humorous story about your students and “Toss-a-Tune,” or any other funny comment or situation involving your music students, send it to me at info@musiquesavante.com and I might be able to include it in future newsletters.
Until then, I wish you good weather and good health.
Susan Kight, M.Mus.Ed. ©Musique Savante, Summer 2011 |
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