TOS Review - Adventus (Piano)

"Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy." - Ludwig Van Beethoven

Adventus has created MusIQ Homeschool and we were fortunate enough to be able to review it! This seven-year curriculum includes 20+ levels for beginner to advanced intermediate piano students. With the curriculum we were given access to all seven levels. Children's Music Journey is a three year curriculum software and lesson plans for ages 4-10. Piano Suite is a four year multi-level curriculum software and lesson plans for ages 10 & up. During our review my youngest son Noah has been working his way through Children's Music Journey Volume 1, and he has loved every minute of it!   

There are two ways to purchase this curriculum. You can access the software through a monthly subscription for $10.95. Or you may purchase a CD-ROM or download (pricing listed below for Children's Music Journey). With the purchase of this curriculum you are also able to use it with multiple children, you just create an account for each person. Which I feel is a major plus with for any curriculum. 

• Volume 1 $69.95 (25 lessons) 
• Volume 2 $69.95 (35 lessons) 
• Volume 3 $69.95 (35 lessons)
• Purchase a 3 volume set $179.85 (save $30) 

Adventus also offers a FREE 7 day trial! 

A MIDI keyboard is required to use the program, and you can purchase one through Adventus.

Using Children's Music Journey, Volume 1:

Noah (my 5 year old) has been wanting to learn to play the piano for a while now, so I focused on him with this curriculum so far. However, my oldest son Aidan will begin using it in the near future. 

After downloading the lesson plans and program we jumped right in. The program was very child friendly and Noah always completed each lesson with a smile on his face. 

Every lesson begins with a piece of music composed by a famous composer.. who also happens to be the teacher (such as: Beethoven, Bach, Joplin, Mendelssohn and Villa-Lobos)! The colorful lessons and child friendly encouragement helps your child move forward with the program. There are ten games to play that helps to reinforce the lesson that has been taught. You can also compose your own music with dozens of instruments.. one of Noah's favorite things to do! 

The lessons are laid out for you to complete one lesson a week with your child (including practice, review and games throughout the week). However, Noah was so excited that we ended up completing at least two lessons a week. I've just been letting him go and complete them at his own pace. He is so engulfed in learning right now and I don't want to stop him. There are also activity sheets included in the lesson plans for your child to complete as well. I have used them all with Noah so far and it's great having the lesson plans and sheets available for you as a parent/teacher to understand the curriculum more fully.. but they are not absolutely necessary to complete each lessons. 

Features

• Multiple Users - creating an account for each person
• 3 mode settings for the program (free, normal, strict) - we use normal
• Choose your own avatar 
• Taught by a famous composer
• Miss Melody supervises practice sessions (reinforcing what is already taught)
• Over 200 pieces of classical music introduced to your child.
• Game room 
• and MUCH, MUCH MORE!! 

This has been one of our favorite curriculum's.  Who knew learning/teaching your child to play the piano could be so fun for both you and him! I highly recommend this curriculum to parents with or without any musical background. Noah has had an amazing time learning to play the piano and I can't wait to introduce this to my other children as well!