Want to give your kids the best start at school? Enrol them in early childhood music classes at Gosford’s Central Coast Conservatorium – from the Children’s Music Program baby, toddler and pre-school classes to Keyboard Club and the NEW Mini Voices choir.
Neuroscience has found a clear relationship between music and language acquisition. Learning music in the early years of schooling can help children learn to read. In fact, learning music has been found to enhance cognitive development and support students’ learning across many school subjects.
And not only does learning music help wire children’s brains for learning, singing, listening to music or playing an instrument with your child may also have benefits beyond those of reading.
“Making music in a group also has enormous benefits to wellbeing, self-regulation, a sense of belonging and social cohesion in a school,” says award-winning educator and researcher in music education and brain development Dr Anita Collins in this article for the ABC – “Without music education, children may be missing a vital key in language learning”.
Baby Beats and Mini Maestros
Central Coast Conservatorium of Music, in Gosford, has been running its Children’s Music Program – with classes for babies and toddlers up to primary school-aged children – for over 20 years. Several former CMP students have continued their studies with Central Coast Con and gone on to study music at university.
CMP teacher Joanne McMahon is part of the CCCM’s team of dedicated music teachers who have been nurturing a love for music in babies, toddlers, preschoolers and school-aged children for over 25 years.
She said while children in the pre-school CMP class (Mini Maestros) learn singing and music, there are a multitude of benefits for young participants as they get ready for kindergarten and their first year at school.
“Participating in early childhood music classes is one of the best things you can do with children, from babies up to preschoolers,” said Joanne. “And our CMP class for 4-5 year olds makes school preparation fun.”
Classes are run in term-time on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays at West Gosford, Gosford and Woy Woy.
Mini Voices Training Choir
2024 saw the launch of Central Coast Con’s NEW Mini Voices Training Choir – a fun and relaxed choral program for children aged 5 – 8 years (approx kindergarten to Year 3) with Jo McMahon and Nicky Castle.
“Singing in a choir has so many benefits. It improves vocal skills and musical understanding, and also promotes teamwork, boosts confidence, and provides a sense of community,” said Nicky.
“The most important reason for singing in a choir is simply for the student to experience the joy of music.”
The choir rehearses on Mondays, 4-5pm, at Gosford Presbyterian Church in West Gosford and there is no audition to join, simply register HERE.
Keyboard Club
Central Coast Conservatorium Keyboard Club is growing! With three new keyboard teachers and classes, CCCM now has a total of 12 Keyboard Club classes running every week for ages five and over and students can trial the first Keyboard Club lesson free.
Music teachers Matthew Ardern, Melissa Lark and Kayoko Minglis have joined Aaron Carey in teaching across the 12 sessions which are on Monday to Thursday after school and Saturday mornings in the state-of-the-art Keyboard Lab. This exciting program provides students with the opportunity to build a fantastic knowledge base of musical techniques that will assist them not only with keyboard playing but also any other instruments they choose in the future.
Melissa brings a wealth of experience to Keyboard Club, as an early childhood music educator and one of the CCCM’s Children’s Music Program teachers. Kayoko is a registered music therapist and sound healing practitioner and has experience working with a range of clients. Pianist Matthew Ardern was a finalist in the Symphony Central Coast Prodigies Concerto Competition.
CENTRAL COAST CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC
To enrol in any classes at Central Coast Conservatorium of Music, click HERE, visit the website at www.centralcoastconservatorium.com.au, check out the CCCM’s Facebook page, email [email protected] or phone 4324 7477.
Address: 45 Mann St, Gosford.
Phone: 4324 7477.
Email: [email protected]
Open: Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm, Sat 10am – 2pm.
Website: Central Coast Conservatorium of Music
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CentralCoastConservatoriumofMusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cccmusicgosford/
Written by Geraldine Cardozo.
