MC is a music and movement program specially designed for nurseries and pre-schools [children age 2 to 4 years]. MC uses music, songs and movement to teach children language, arithmetic, science and other subject areas. It comprises English songs, nursery rhymes, traditional Malay and Mandarin songs. MC was written in 1997. It follows the guidelines of the National Pre-School curriculum. To-date more than 3,000 teachers have attended MC training / workshops.
2. How big should a MC class be and what is the duration per session? What instruments are used in Music Circle?
Maximum class size of 25, depending on the size of the classroom. Duration is 30 minutes per session, once a week. Instruments used in the Music Circle class include rhythm sticks, jingle bells, scarves and picture cards.
3. Who wrote the Music Circle Program?
Music Circle © which was jointly written by Dr Lorna Heyge, President of Musikgarten USA and Jenny Ong, Founder of Musikgarten Malaysia was launched in December 1997. Both Dr Lorna and Jenny are convinced that all aspects of learning are greatly enhanced when music is a key element in a holistic approach. Dr. Lorna is the Chairman and Founder of MUSIKGARTEN USA. Having spent over 30 years working directly with young children and music teachers, the depth and breadth of Dr. Heyge’s understanding of how young children learn music is unparalleled. Dr. Heyge is the coauthor and publisher of the Music and Movement series for Musikgarten. She is also president of the Foundation for Music-Based Learning and publisher of Early Childhood Connections: Journal of Music- and Movement-Based Learning. She holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music, Northwestern University, and the University of Cologne, Germany.
Jenny Ong, ATCL(UK), Advanced Dip. in Music (UK) Masters in Education (Early Childhood Music, USA) is the founder director of Musikgarten Malaysia which has been running early childhood music and movement program in Malaysia for the past 20 years. She has over 20 years of teaching experience at various Teachers’ Training College of the Ministry of Education, Malaysia. She went on a British Council Scholarship to do post-graduate work on music education at the University of Exeter, England. Jenny also possesses a Piano Teacher’s Diploma from the Trinity College of Music and completed course work in Kodaly Pedagogy (UK) and Dalcroze Pedagogy (USA). Musikgarten USA appointed her as Teacher Trainer for South-East-Asia in 1997. Jenny has taught at several in-service music education courses for the Ministry of Education, Malaysia and the Kindergarten Association of Malaysia. She was also a part-time music lecturer for the London Montessori College. She has conducted music classes for the London Montessori Children’s Schools in Kuala Lumpur. In May 2004, Jenny was conferred a Masters of Education Specializing in Early Childhood Music & Education by Lesley University, Cambridge, USA.
4. (a) Is the "Music Circle" program copyrighted?
Yes
(b) Must I get the license to offer "Music Circle" in my school?
Yes. The school has to be licensed and to be officially appointed as an Accredited Music Circle Centre in order to secure the rights to use this copyrighted programme. An agreement needs to be signed.
(c) Can the school use the Music Circle Logo in banners and signages?
Yes, provided they are officially accredited.
5. (a) Is there a music kit for the children and what is it called?
Yes. It is called the MC Children Pack. This pack comprises a Yellow Bag, Song CD, and a Parent Book. It is for parents to reinforce learning at home and to share music time with the children. The music and songs which the children learn and sing in the class are in the CD.
(b) Is it compulsory for the school to purchase them for the children?
Yes, starting from year 2010 it is compulsory for the children to have the Music Circle Packs in order to see results and development in the children.
(c) How much is the Music Circle Pack?
Retail price to parents is RM44.
6. (a) How can a school get the license to offer Music Circle?
Submit an Application Form. Upon approval, the school needs to sign an agreement in which the main terms and conditions are: To integrate MC as part of their teaching curriculum To make MC Children's packs compulsory for all the students starting from year 2010 To only engage teachers who are properly trained in MC.
(b) How long is the period of appointment and do I have to renew?
The minimum appointment period is 3 months while the maximum is 12 months. The expiry date of the appointment will always fall on the 31 December of the year.
Renewal of appointment is on a yearly basis and is subject to the terms and conditions in the Agreement. A renewal notice will be sent out 2 months before the expiry date.
(c) How much do I have to pay?
RM60 per centre per 12 months or part thereof if appointment is less than 12 months. If you have more than 1 centre, the fees for the second and subsequent centre is RM50 per centre per 12 months.
(d) Will there be any rebates on the appointment fees?
Yes, there will be a full rebate if the centre purchases more than 30 MC Children’s Packs in a calendar year (i.e. period ended 31 Dec YYYY).
7. How do I get Music Circle Trained Teachers?
(a) Send your teachers for Music Circle workshop / training. No music background is required. The fees for the 2-days workshop is RM620 per participant. As an Accredited Music Circle Centre you will be entitled to a discount of 30% on the workshop fees. Workshop Fees include materials and meals. Workshop materials consists of:
Teacher's Guide with Lesson Plans
CDs x 2 pieces
Picture cards x 15 pieces
Parent Book
Yellow Pouch
(b) We will tap into our database and try to recommend Music Circle Teachers to teach at your school on best effort basis. Strictly speaking, it is your responsibility to look for Music Circle Teachers.
8. How much do I have to pay if I engage part-time Music Circle Teachers?
In Klang valley, the rates vary from RM35 to 50 per session. Most teachers will negotiate to teach several classes per visit to save on transportation costs. Remember that the teacher only goes in to teach once a week.
9. What is the difference between Music Circle (MC) and the Musikgarten Programme (MG)?
Both are music and movement programs but Music Circle is specially designed for nurseries and pre-schools and taught during school hours only. It uses music and movement to teach children language, arithmetic, science and other subject areas. Teachers without formal music background can attend the Music Circle workshop and be trained to conduct the activities in the school.
On the other hand, the "Musikgarten Program" is specifically designed to build a strong musical foundation for the child. It is an after-school hours programme. Some call it an enrichment programme. The objective is to prepare them for individual piano / violin lessons later on. Only teachers with formal music background (minimum Grade 5 ABRSM or equivalent qualification) can attend the workshops and be trained to conduct these classes in music studios and music schools. The "Musikgarten Programme" can only be offered in music studios, music schools and child enrichment centres after school hours. Therefore, Music Circle is not the same as Musikgarten and vice versa.
2. How big should a MC class be and what is the duration per session? What instruments are used in Music Circle?
Maximum class size of 25, depending on the size of the classroom. Duration is 30 minutes per session, once a week. Instruments used in the Music Circle class include rhythm sticks, jingle bells, scarves and picture cards.
3. Who wrote the Music Circle Program?
Music Circle © which was jointly written by Dr Lorna Heyge, President of Musikgarten USA and Jenny Ong, Founder of Musikgarten Malaysia was launched in December 1997. Both Dr Lorna and Jenny are convinced that all aspects of learning are greatly enhanced when music is a key element in a holistic approach. Dr. Lorna is the Chairman and Founder of MUSIKGARTEN USA. Having spent over 30 years working directly with young children and music teachers, the depth and breadth of Dr. Heyge’s understanding of how young children learn music is unparalleled. Dr. Heyge is the coauthor and publisher of the Music and Movement series for Musikgarten. She is also president of the Foundation for Music-Based Learning and publisher of Early Childhood Connections: Journal of Music- and Movement-Based Learning. She holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music, Northwestern University, and the University of Cologne, Germany.
Jenny Ong, ATCL(UK), Advanced Dip. in Music (UK) Masters in Education (Early Childhood Music, USA) is the founder director of Musikgarten Malaysia which has been running early childhood music and movement program in Malaysia for the past 20 years. She has over 20 years of teaching experience at various Teachers’ Training College of the Ministry of Education, Malaysia. She went on a British Council Scholarship to do post-graduate work on music education at the University of Exeter, England. Jenny also possesses a Piano Teacher’s Diploma from the Trinity College of Music and completed course work in Kodaly Pedagogy (UK) and Dalcroze Pedagogy (USA). Musikgarten USA appointed her as Teacher Trainer for South-East-Asia in 1997. Jenny has taught at several in-service music education courses for the Ministry of Education, Malaysia and the Kindergarten Association of Malaysia. She was also a part-time music lecturer for the London Montessori College. She has conducted music classes for the London Montessori Children’s Schools in Kuala Lumpur. In May 2004, Jenny was conferred a Masters of Education Specializing in Early Childhood Music & Education by Lesley University, Cambridge, USA. 4. (a) Is the "Music Circle" program copyrighted?
Yes
(b) Must I get the license to offer "Music Circle" in my school?
Yes. The school has to be licensed and to be officially appointed as an Accredited Music Circle Centre in order to secure the rights to use this copyrighted programme. An agreement needs to be signed.
(c) Can the school use the Music Circle Logo in banners and signages?
Yes, provided they are officially accredited.
5. (a) Is there a music kit for the children and what is it called?
Yes. It is called the MC Children Pack. This pack comprises a Yellow Bag, Song CD, and a Parent Book. It is for parents to reinforce learning at home and to share music time with the children. The music and songs which the children learn and sing in the class are in the CD.
(b) Is it compulsory for the school to purchase them for the children?
Yes, starting from year 2010 it is compulsory for the children to have the Music Circle Packs in order to see results and development in the children.
(c) How much is the Music Circle Pack?
Retail price to parents is RM44.
6. (a) How can a school get the license to offer Music Circle?
Submit an Application Form. Upon approval, the school needs to sign an agreement in which the main terms and conditions are: To integrate MC as part of their teaching curriculum To make MC Children's packs compulsory for all the students starting from year 2010 To only engage teachers who are properly trained in MC.
(b) How long is the period of appointment and do I have to renew?
The minimum appointment period is 3 months while the maximum is 12 months. The expiry date of the appointment will always fall on the 31 December of the year.
Renewal of appointment is on a yearly basis and is subject to the terms and conditions in the Agreement. A renewal notice will be sent out 2 months before the expiry date.
(c) How much do I have to pay?
RM60 per centre per 12 months or part thereof if appointment is less than 12 months. If you have more than 1 centre, the fees for the second and subsequent centre is RM50 per centre per 12 months.
(d) Will there be any rebates on the appointment fees?
Yes, there will be a full rebate if the centre purchases more than 30 MC Children’s Packs in a calendar year (i.e. period ended 31 Dec YYYY).
7. How do I get Music Circle Trained Teachers?
(a) Send your teachers for Music Circle workshop / training. No music background is required. The fees for the 2-days workshop is RM620 per participant. As an Accredited Music Circle Centre you will be entitled to a discount of 30% on the workshop fees. Workshop Fees include materials and meals. Workshop materials consists of:
Teacher's Guide with Lesson Plans
CDs x 2 pieces
Picture cards x 15 pieces
Parent Book
Yellow Pouch
(b) We will tap into our database and try to recommend Music Circle Teachers to teach at your school on best effort basis. Strictly speaking, it is your responsibility to look for Music Circle Teachers.
8. How much do I have to pay if I engage part-time Music Circle Teachers?
In Klang valley, the rates vary from RM35 to 50 per session. Most teachers will negotiate to teach several classes per visit to save on transportation costs. Remember that the teacher only goes in to teach once a week.
9. What is the difference between Music Circle (MC) and the Musikgarten Programme (MG)?
Both are music and movement programs but Music Circle is specially designed for nurseries and pre-schools and taught during school hours only. It uses music and movement to teach children language, arithmetic, science and other subject areas. Teachers without formal music background can attend the Music Circle workshop and be trained to conduct the activities in the school.
On the other hand, the "Musikgarten Program" is specifically designed to build a strong musical foundation for the child. It is an after-school hours programme. Some call it an enrichment programme. The objective is to prepare them for individual piano / violin lessons later on. Only teachers with formal music background (minimum Grade 5 ABRSM or equivalent qualification) can attend the workshops and be trained to conduct these classes in music studios and music schools. The "Musikgarten Programme" can only be offered in music studios, music schools and child enrichment centres after school hours. Therefore, Music Circle is not the same as Musikgarten and vice versa.
