Welcome to FHD’s 3rd annual event, Homeschooling for Free and Frugal Series! Click here to begin reading all of the new Homeschooling for Free and Frugal articles. This article is by Mary Prather of Homegrown Learners
Music doesn’t have to get left behind in your homeschool.
So often I’ve heard people say they “don’t have the finances” to teach their children about wonderful music, get private music lessons, or take part in musical ensembles. There are so many ways to incorporate music FRUGALLY in your homeschool, so let’s get started!
Exposure
It doesn’t cost much (or sometimes anything) to expose your children to beautiful music, and I think this is the first step in cultivating an appreciation. Simply immersing your children in the classics is easy.
Favorite Resources:
- Pandora – turn on the “Mozart” station and you’ll be set!
- Songza – similar to Pandora – use the music concierge to decide what music to listen to.
- YouTube – search for composers/artists and create a playlist (just be careful of comments!)
- Beethoven’s Wig – these are great CD/mp3 collections which cement the classics into anyone’s head, and at just $10/download they are an affordable investment in music education
- Classics For Kids – simple CD/mp3 collections that are affordable and present the staples of classical music
Appreciation
Learning about a composer’s personality, time they lived in, and personal challenges fosters quite an appreciation for their music. A part of this is also composer study – for a HUGE list of resources on this, see The Ultimate Guide to Composer Study.
After exposing your children to music and the composers’ lives, you can easily teach them how to appreciate and critically listen to music. Just as we teach our children about different genres of literature and how to examine them, children can learn about the elements of music and learn how to critically listen.
Favorite Music Appreciation Resources:
- Harmony Fine Arts – affordable plans for any grade level – these are well done and thorough
- SQUILT Music – music appreciation made easy for the non musical parent! Free lessons are available, and affordable entire volumes are available for purchase – 100% internet linked; all you need is an internet connection and basic school supplies! Kids love Super Quiet UnInterrupted Listening Time!
Lessons/Ensembles
How can children frugally take part in private lessons and/or ensemble music groups?
Tap into your local homeschool group or music teacher’s association to find out about junior music teachers. In our community the local music teacher’s association actually has junior teachers – trained high schoolers who give private lessons for a greatly reduced rate. You have to do some investigating, but it’s worth it!
In our family we have made sacrifices in other areas so that our children can take private piano lessons. We see this as a huge investment in their future. There are many price points to piano lessons, so do your research and talk to people about teachers they like. Still have questions? Visit What About Piano Lessons to get some answers!
Many areas also offer homeschool bands, orchestras, and choruses, for either free or a very small fee. There is something so valuable about making music with others – it is an experience your child will remember FOREVER!
Whatever you do, PLEASE don’t let fear of teaching music or lack of finances stop you from giving your children the gift of music. It is my mission to equip parents to give their children the very best music education possible, in a non-threatening, inexpensive, and enjoyable way! Visit me at Homegrown Learners or SQUILT Music to explore more!
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