What happens in class? Children and their parents or caregivers (babysitter, nanny, grandparent) meet weekly for 45 minutes over the course of the session to sing new songs and participate in movement activities and instrumental jam sessions. Both children and adults participate in the circle, led by an engaging, experienced registered Music Together® teacher with early childhood training and music skills. Our teachers also help adults understand their child's musical and physical development and how to encourage it, providing many suggestions for enjoying musical activities as a family away from class
During Music Together classes, children will have many opportunities to create and play by making up new rhythm patterns, creating new songs and words to songs, and coming up with new movements to express themselves musically. Some children may simply sit and watch what's going on in the room as they absorb the musically rich environment. Other children may sing, play and dance freely, responding to the comfortable, encouraging environment.
Each class includes approximately twelve songs, ranging from playful free movement pieces to well-known songs to those in unusual tonalities and meters. Rather than emphasizing traditional professional music performance, the Music Together approach encourages and supports family participation in joyful, spontaneous musical activity as a part of everyday life. We know from experience that parents are the most important influence on the child's enjoyment of and disposition towards music. If parents (regardless of their ability), have fun making music, children will too.
Your child has a natural curiosity about music. Make the most of these early years by giving her/him the best opportunities to learn and grow musically! Years after your child takes Music Together classes, he or she will still remember the Music Together Hello song and other favorites. Parents of former students tell us, "we still play those CDs!" With a childhood of Music Together experiences, your child will be among the young people who love music making.
Free Sample Class
Our 45-minute introduction for families new to Music Together. Come experience our wonderful approach to early childhood and family music! Family friendly musical activities include singalongs, finger-plays, instrument jamming, rhythm and tonal games, large & small movement. Our sample class includes commonly known children's songs and easy-to-join activities appropriate for families with newborns through age 7. Come discover how much fun -- and how important your role is -- making music with your child can be!
Mixed Age
Newborns through kindergarten with parent or caregiver (newborns to age 5). Today's leading child development researchers recommend mixed-age groupings because they foster a more natural learning setting in which the parent/caregiver plays an important role. Younger children enjoy watching and imitating the older ones, older children learn by leading the younger ones, and nobody's left at home with the babysitter. Every child participates at his or her own level in many different areas: singing, moving, chanting, listening, watching, or exploring musical instruments. Babies love watching the older kids and dancing with mom or dad. Classes include a variety of stimulating and fun adult-child activities, offering new ways to play musically at home. Any caregiver can bring the child or children: nanny, grandparent, babysitter, or parents. The whole family is welcome for this essential family music experience.
3-4s/Mixed Age
Our 3-4s/Mixed Age class is scheduled in the early afternoon to be convenient for preschoolers and their caregivers (siblings and others welcome!). Today's leading child development researchers recommend mixed-age groupings because they foster a more natural learning setting in which the parent/caregiver plays an important role. Younger children enjoy watching and imitating the older ones, older children learn by leading the younger ones, and nobody's left at home with the babysitter. Every child participates at his or her own level in many different areas: singing, moving, chanting, listening, watching, or exploring musical instruments. Babies love watching the older kids and dancing with mom or dad. Classes include a variety of stimulating and fun adult-child activities, offering new ways to play musically at home. Any caregiver can bring the child or children: nanny, grandparent, babysitter, or parents. The whole family is welcome for this essential family music experience.
Big Kids
Music Together for Big Kids classes are 60 minutes in length and include structured activities such as conducting, game songs, solo and ensemble experiences, improvisation, movement, music-reading readiness. Big Kids classroom activities satisfy both the fun-loving and challenge-ready natures of 5-, 6-, and 7-year-olds and provide opportunities for leadership, confidence building, social interactions with peer. Music Together's mixed-stage approach means that children’s individual temperaments, learning styles, and developmental stage are honored and participation is choice-based. Children this age are ready to learn about being a part of a group, about taking turns, and about following rules. Children and participating parents will contribute to the class in the form of tonal and rhythm patterns, silly song verse variations, etc. Music Together Big Kids is also great for children needing a foundation for instrument lessons (plan on 3 or more consecutive sessions to build your child's Musical Literacy). Most children of this age are ready for more independent experiences, so parents join the last 10 minutes of every class. Please e-mail us with more questions.
Family Jam & Singalong
Our 45-minute introduction for families new to Music Together. Come experience our wonderful approach to early childhood and family music! Activities include singalongs, finger-plays, instrument jamming, rhythm and tonal games, large & small movement. Includes commonly known children's and seasonal/holiday songs and easy-to-join activities appropriate for newborns through age 7.