The key to unleashing the power of music for life. Why MERRIAM works. Throughout North America, millions of people take music lessons every year. In fact, of all activities that parents sign their children up for, music has one of the worst success rates, and the lowest enjoyment levels. Very few will make it to "the end", and even fewer will continue to play afterwards. WHY? 22,000,003 2008 figures. NAfME The number of people who start music lessons and quit within just 1 year. The number of people at MERIAM who stay in music lessons past one year. 52% 91% American Music Association Enter Statistic Information here In fact, we've
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The key to unleashing thepower of music for life.
Why MERRIAMworks.
Throughout North America,millions of people take music
lessons every year.
In fact, of all activities that parents sign their children up for, music hasone of the worst success rates, and the lowest enjoyment levels.
Very few will make it to"the end", and even fewer
will continue to playafterwards.
WHY?
22,000,003
2008 figures. NAfME
The number of people whostart music lessons andquit within just 1 year.
The number of people atMERIAM who stay inmusic lessons past one
year.
52% 91%
American Music Association Enter Statistic Information here
In fact, we've
In fact, we'vemaintained this
retention level forclose to 25 years.
Just like any other difficult skill, the key tomusical success and enjoyment is
creating ENGAGEMENT & RELEVANCE.
Traditional Music Lessons Merriam Music Lessons
Here's How We Do It.
Approach
Most traditional music lessons treatlearning music much like an actor learnsto speak a foreign language for a movie
scene.
You don't really learn the language, theentire point is for a single
performance/scene, and very little isretained.
Music is understood by our brains nearly thesame as a spoken language. Therefore, ifwe use the most successful methods ofteaching language TO TEACH MUSIC, somepretty remarkable things happen:
Students are engaged They start to musically interact A very difficult skill suddenly becomes easy They enjoy it (and retain it) for life
Family/Support
Every parent wants their child tosucceed, but many lesson programs or
schools don't have a SYSTEM forinvolving them in the process.
Learning language, music orotherwise, is hard - but it's virtuallyimpossible to do in a vacuum.
Every student that signs up at Merriamisn't just signing up themselves. A
student experience ALWAYS involvesother supporting people in their lives
(partners / spouses / parents), and weinsist on and facilitate this involvement.
Music is always a family affair atMerriam.
TeachersWe recruit, train, and retain one of themost elite teaching corps in NorthAmerica. (Learn more here). All of ourteachers have post-secondary musicaltraining, from the leading schools of theworld.
We all know that teachers are animportant link in the learning chain. But
unlike public school teachers, musicteachers largely unregulated, and few
parents know what questions to ask.
Good Performer good teacher
good teacher success
great teachers + greatfacilities + Right Curriculum =
Success
Learn more about ourteachers here
Curriculum
Technique Reading Composing Repertoire
Technology Ear Training Improvising
Applied Theory Rhythm
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10
20
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Technique Reading Composing Repertoire
Technology Ear Training Improvising
Applied Theory Rhythm
0
10
20
30
40
50
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MerriamSco
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YEAR 5YEAR 5
Merriam's focus on teaching music as alanguage requires that all areas of musicalliteracy receive focus. And our certification
system helps to drive that result.
Traditional exam requirements do notrequire even a basic level of fluency incomposition, rhythm, applied theory,improvisation, and technology. Little is
required for ear training.
Published curriculum requirements
Facilities/Community
The majority of traditional musiclessons are taught in single homes or
small rented facilities.
This is certainly the most commonlyseen format, but is it the best?
Consider for a moment trying to learnsoccer on a small patch of grass, and
the only person you every playedagainst was your coach.
No stadiums, no team mates, noamazing tournaments, no crowds. Just
a test at the end, and a little displayfor your friends and family.
One of Merriam's most visible assetsis our purpose-built facilities, housing
a community of 3000+ weeklystudents.
Merriam's recently upgradedfacilities have made it amongst the
top 5 learning centres in NorthAmerica in terms of access to
technology, performanceexperience, instrument quality, and
range of opportunity.
How many yearswould YOU play for?
We've got the stadium,the team-mates, and
the crowd.
would YOU play for? the crowd.
Chances toPerform &
Play
One of the most engaging andexciting things to do when you arelearning any language, INCLUDINGMUSIC, is a chance to use thatlanguage in a real-life setting.
This could include playing in a bandor ensemble, performing at a partyfor fun, or writing or recording yourown music.
Every student of Merriam has dozensof chances to play and performmusic throughout each year infestivals, concerts, jam nights, clinics,bands, rehearsals, showcases,competitions, and more.
Traditional music lessons havealways focused on two specificperformance requirements: recitals,and exams. This is often the onlyplaying experience outside of thelesson that a student is given.
It is not surprising then, that as soonas recitals and exams stop being aforced part of the experience, theentire process grinds to a halt.Though not generally positive, theseare often the ONLY factorsmotivating students to practice.
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