The Upper Primary program is designed for students in grades 4-6, or roughly 9-12 years old, reinforcing music fundamentals while pushing students to think more critically about classical music and its origins through different cultures throughout history. 

The curriculum for the Upper Primary program includes compulsory courses in the Britten Chorus and Music Literacy. Students may elect to enroll in one-to-one Instrumental Instruction and English for Musical Purposes.

Britten Chorus

Choral singing is one of the most basic, yet most important aspects of a music education for a young music learner. The benefits of choral participation go beyond the musical lessons being taught. For most students, choral singing is the first form of collaborative music making and will help them become part of a larger musical community with new friends.

The Britten chorus builds on the foundational elements of the younger Elgar chorus, and continues to focus on a healthy and fun approach to singing. The Britten chorus Introduced more advanced repertoire including songs from China and cultures around the world. The chorus has weekly rehearsals and two performances at TJS each year, and other performance opportunities throughout Tianjin.

Learning Objectives:

• Cultivate an aesthetic appreciation for choral listening
• Maintain healthy vocal usage during voice changes
• Adjust personal timbre in real-time based on heard choral effects
• Use appropriate timbre according to the musical style
• Perform more complex classical choral works with multiple voice parts
• Lead one's own voice section in practice as a section leader
• Conduct the choir

Music Literacy (Intermediate Level)

Music Literacy is a comprehensive course that enhances sight-singing and ear training skills, music theory, and music history and culture. The course aims to inspire children's curiosity about music, cultivate musical sensitivity and imagination, and gradually develop their ability to express music, boosting their confidence in music but also laying a solid foundation for their future musical journey.

Learning Objectives:

• Study the timeline of classical music development and become familiar with composers and their works
• Listen to a wide range of classical music pieces and memorize the main themes of major works
• Identify the musical style and period to which a piece belongs; distinguish between instrumental timbres in monophonic and polyphonic works; analyze the form and content expression of pieces from the perspective of musical periods and styles
• Comprehensive application: create simple improvisations in the style of a specified period; compose simple two-part pieces using staff notation; perform polyphonic singing, etc.

One-on-one Instrumental Instruction

The most important aspect of instrumental training for young music learners is to set a solid foundation rooted in healthy playing in a fun and supportive learning atmosphere. All instrumental teachers are trained and certified by the Tianjin Juilliard School, and themselves are world-class performing artists who studied in conservatories throughout the world.  Lessons for this age group are 60 minutes and are offered in most areas, including piano, strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and harp.

English for Musical Purposes

Both "language" and "music" are bridges for connection and cultural exchange. English for Musical Purposes focuses on English education within the context of music learning and is taught by teachers with backgrounds in both music and language education.

This course aims to cultivate the language skills required in professional musical practice and broader music appreciation, enabling students to communicate effectively with their teachers and classmates. It fosters their growth as a globally-minded thinker and prepares them embrace diverse cultures. 

Learning Objectives:

• Understand, accumulate and actively use the musical terms needed by professional musicians
• Build the confidence of using English language to share music knowledge, experience and personal understandings with others
• To develop students’ cross-cultural awareness in international music learning contexts
• Explore the connection between music and personal identity
• Discover people, stories, learning, and growth within the music community
• Study the English names of instrument families and compare Eastern and Western instruments
• Use music to imagine, create, and tell a compelling story in English

Learn more about the Music Development Program teachers

Lessons and classes for Upper Primary program are held every Sunday morning between September and May, according to the academic calendar. The proposed teaching schedule for the 2024 academic year is from 12:45 – 4:45 PM.

Please note that one-to-one instrumental instruction is scheduled outside of this time based on the teacher’s availability.

To join the MDP Upper Primary, students must be between 9 and 12 years old and pass an entry assessment. The assessment includes:

• A self-selected solo singing piece
• Melody imitation
• Sight-singing

*Students applying for Instrumental Instruction should send the following materials to MDP@tianjinjuilliard.edu.cn:

• The student's personal resume
• The Student Information Form (please download, fill in the required information, and save the file with the student's name)
• Recent performance videos including two contrasting pieces

*Contrasting pieces: Two pieces composed by different composers with distinctly contrasting styles; for example, an Allegro and an Adagio movement from the same sonata.

The examination fee for the Music Development Program is 50 RMB. Please click here to register for the exam.

*One semester comprises 15 classes. Chorus, Music Literacy, Instrument Exploration, English for Musical Purposes, Instrument Instruction are charged based on 15 - class sessions, unless otherwise noted. 

For more information about the curriculum, or to apply for the Tianjin Juilliard School Music Development Program, please scan the QR code to add the Public Education WeCom.