The program was built psychologically on the kindergarten method of teaching…that is, proceeding from the ‘known’ to the ‘unkown’, and from the ‘thing’ to its ‘sign’. The Kelly Kirby material is presented in a series of four piano books unique in their presentation of ear training, sight reading, technique and theory. The completed course provides a thorough development in ear training and note reading (covering the complete range of the musical staff), time and note values, duple, triple and quadruple rhythm, basic musical signs, scale and chord formation in three major keys (introduction of sharps and flats), and a story about the lives of four major composers. The child’s interest is stimulated as the “story of a musical family” unfolds through the four book presentation. Children excitedly look forward to finding out about the next new ‘family member’, the sound that they make and the sign that tells them to play that sound! Through a variety of activities, including coloring, cutting and gluing, children develop their fine motor skills as they progress in a natural and constructive way through the program. The lesson is active, engaging and builds on their knowledge of the known (for example, their family) to the unknown (the musical family).
Today’s parents realize the benefits of early music training. Music students learn more than how to play their instruments. Kelly Kirby satisfies the desire of the young child who wants to ‘play’ the piano because it is a ‘performance’ training in which ear training, sight reading and piano playing are taught from the very first lesson.
Graduation Certificates are available to children who complete the program with a qualified Kelly Kirby Teacher. As students move out of the program and on into the RCM Examination program, their achievements in examinations (from Preparatory A level to ARCT level) can be rewarded with scholarships generously distributed annually through Kelly Kirby Publications, provided that they continue their studies with a trained Kelly Kirby teacher and Network Platinum Member.
As valuable and important as any research is, it cannot explain or quantify the joy and fulfillment music brings to our lives and the lives of children!