Pre-instrumental Classes

At the Irish Institute of Music & Song, we take educating our youngest musicians very seriously. That is why our Head of Early Years Music, Dr Rebecca Gilbert, has developed a fun, friendly and engaging curriculum of pre-instrumental classes to give your child an excellent grounding in musical theory and understanding. Rebecca studied medicine and child development and used this knowledge, combined with a lifetime of musical learning and teaching to create a unique and fun set of classes that have helping your child’s development at their core.

Our classes are designed to take children from the age of 3 to the age of 7 and give them a foundation of music knowledge to prepare them for learning an instrument, studying voice or joining one of our choirs or ensembles.

In our classes we learn the basics of music theory, like rhythm, solfa, music notation, dynamics, harmony and instruments, all through games and songs. Our specially-designed classroom is bursting with colourful instruments and learning tools to help your child develop and grow.

The Pre-Instrumental curriculum is divided into 3 parts by age and musical experience.

Ages 3 & 4

Pre-Instrumental Junior

Age 5 to 7 (no previous experience)

Pre-Instrumental I

Age 5 to 7 (with previous experience)

Pre-Instrumental II

A 30-minute class for kids aged 3 and 4

  • In pre-instrumental junior we sing lots of familiar songs, use hand actions, clapping and movement to aid learning

  • We learn new songs and dances and begin the journey of learning solfa (our doh, re, mi)

  • Children are introduced to the concepts of pulse, rhythm and beat using songs games and instruments

  • We have lots of fun playing the various instruments from our percussion orchestra and the children have an introduction to pitched instruments

  • Learn about different instruments of the orchestra, and listen to different styles of music

A 45-minute class for kids aged 5 to 7 who have not attended pre-instrumental before

  • Over the course of 1-2 years we help develop children’s sense of rhythm and pitch as well as recognition of musical instrument sounds.

  • Help develop children’s musical ear through games, singing and listening

  • Learn about music notation and begin the journey of sight-reading rhythms, and playing different instruments from our percussion orchestra

  • Learn about the parts of the orchestra and famous composers and styles of music

  • Learn about solfa and explore writing tunes and playing them on tuned instruments

A 45-minute class for kids aged 5 to 7 who have completed 1 year of pre-instrumental I

  • In Pre-Instrumental II, we maintain and develop all of the skills learned so far in the curriculum, getting into more complex learning in particular in music notation, solfa and rhythm

  • Through learning with child-friendly instruments, we can get an understanding of which instrument might suit the child later on.

  • Beginner ukulele is a great introduction to the skills needed for ukulele, guitar or other stringed instruments like violin.

  • Learning recorder gives a foundation in understanding wind and brass instruments like flute, clarinet and trumpet, without the burden of a heavy instrument that their small hands cannot yet reach.

  • Our tuned percussion instruments, glockenspiel, chimes and xylophone help develop skills that can be useful in learning piano or percussion later on.