School of Rock Presents Little Wing, a Dynamic Early Music Education Program for Preschoolers

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Jan 15, 2013, 10:00 ET

NEW YORK, Jan. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- School of Rock, the national leader in music education for kids, unveiled today LITTLE WING, an early music education program for preschool age children. Classes will roll out in many of School of Rock's corporate and franchise locations nationwide starting in January 2013. The School of Rock team spent two years working with experts in the field of early childhood education, as well as professional musicians to develop a truly unique approach to inspiring kids to love music. Little Wing's experienced staff of Instructors will lead the classes. Students enrolled in the new program will participate in weekly 45-minute classes over an 8-10 week period, and enrollment fees will vary from school to school. Most locations will begin with a class focused on 4 and 5 year old students with a 2-3 year old program following soon after.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130115/NY42364LOGO)

Little Wing was designed to be portable, so that the program can be delivered at affiliate locations. This allows Little Wing to partner with select preschools who want to add a music enrichment program to their existing curriculum. Other settings for the program may include daycares, community centers, private homes and even children's parties.

Little Wing will help young children understand rhythm and melody and introduce them to the language of music. Classes will feature movement games set to some of the most popular music from the past fifty years, and instructors will lead activities intended to spark creativity. There is also an interactive Little Wing app for iOS devices that will engage young users with its vivid imagery and of course top-notch music even when they aren't in the class. The app will introduce young minds to basic music concepts through a playful interactive music game with an animated bird named Little Wing. Kids using the game will learn about music notes and exercise ears and eyes by picking up auditory cues.

"We believe that if we want kids to learn to love music, then we must give them great music to listen to," explains Mark Biondi, Vice President of Marketing at School of Rock. "Little Wing will expose kids to classic songs that have inspired adults AND kids throughout the history of music."

"We saw an opportunity to do things differently, and we were in a unique position to make that vision a reality," said Chris Catalano, CEO of School of Rock. "We are incredibly excited to introduce Little Wing to the preschool children in the neighborhoods that we serve. We are confident that through our unique approach to early music education, the children in our programs will become more musically capable, aware, and inspired, while we foster a love for music in them that will last a lifetime."

Much research and evidence has been documented citing the benefits of music education during a child's early years to help them better develop skill sets in areas such as pre-literacy, motor skills, and coordination. Little Wing will build a fun learning experience by employing strong teamwork and cooperative learning. The games and activities that will be taught at Little Wing, all set to classic rock and pop music that both parents and young children can enjoy, are designed to stimulate and mold young minds. The program will teach rhythm and beat patterns, tracking and sequencing sounds and words, tonal processing, auditory focus and audiation, and the fine motor skills used in instrument play and visual arts. The Little Wing program strengthens skill that can better prepare children for kindergarten. Little Wing will also prepare students for School of Rock's full slate of music education programs for all ages and for a lifetime of music education and appreciation.

For more info and a video describing the philosophy of the program visit: www.littlewing.com

ABOUT SCHOOL OF ROCK
For more than a decade, School of Rock has been inspiring the world to rock on stage and in life. Our students develop confidence, talent and skills, through our beginner, intermediate and advanced music programs. We offer music lessons on guitar, bass, piano, vocals and drums in an authentic, performance-based environment. School of Rock operates over 100 schools in 26 states, Brazil, Canada and Mexico, with new locations opening nationwide and internationally as well. We are expanding rapidly to meet the demands of kids who want to play music and for parents who appreciate music education. With opportunities available nationwide, it's an exciting time to open a music school franchise with School of Rock! Visit www.SchoolofRock.com for more information.