Our First Music Together Class

I recently reviewed a few Music Together CD’s and really enjoyed them. Since then, we have also had the pleasure of starting a Music Together class, with Bells.

I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’ve always known that music was an important part in any child’s life and I’ve always been interested in music classes but let the fear of the unknown get to me.

Each class is started with the Hello Song and a personal greeting to all the children. The atmosphere is casual and all the kids are on free play. Some stay cuddled to their parents sides, others run about the classroom dancing and spinning like wild souls, and some sit in their parents laps clapping and playing to the rhythm of each song.

Different songs have different props, sometimes it’s scarves, sometimes it’s bells or shakers, sometimes it’s a basket full of anything you can imagine including drums. Sometimes we sit, sometimes we stand, sometimes we parade around the room dancing and singing, but all the time there are smiles.

At first Logan kind of just sat there, Olivia too and we would clap with them or clap for them. You’re encouraged not to puppet your children, but demonstrate. So, we let them loose and have our own fun observing the rest of the class. It’s fun to watch how different children are.

As the class draws to an end, and I’m not sure if it’s because our class is an evening class, the lights go out, but not too dark, and we listen to one of the beautiful lullabies lying on our backs and “looking up at the stars”.

There are a few different Music Together classes to choose from.

Mixed-age Classes

This is the essential Music Together class, one that a child can attend from birth through age four through all nine song collections. This basic class follows the recommendations of child development researchers—grouping children of a variety of ages because this fosters natural, family-style learning. Younger children enjoy watching and imitating older ones; older children learn by leading younger ones; and adults are happy because the children in the family can go to class together. Each child participates at his or her own level in singing, moving, chanting, listening, watching, or exploring musical instruments. Any caregivers—parents, grandparents, nanny—can bring the children. The whole family is welcome for this important family music experience.

Babies Classes

Every child’s development benefits from early exposure to music and movement. Because the early months are so important, Music Together offers two options for babies. Babies eight months and younger at the time of registration may attend a Mixed Ages Class, whether registered on their own or attending free with an older brother or sister. Babies may also take the special “Babies Class” offered as a one-semester introduction to Music Together. The music activities and materials are specially designed for parents who want to learn as much as possible about music development in babies. Meet other parents of newborns and learn some fascinating music activities you can recreate at home with your baby.

Music Together Big Kids Classes

Music Together Big Kids™ is a 60-minute class geared to the interests and abilities of 5, 6, and 7-year-olds. The program blends the elements of Music Together that parents and children love with new activities, skills, and challenges that are developmentally appropriate for this age group.

Big Kids classes lay the foundation for Basic Music Literacy, complementing music instruction in school or instrument lessons, and leading to a lifetime of joyful music-making. The curriculum includes solfège, solos and ensembles, folk dances, harmony singing, vocal development, and drumming. In a safe, fun environment, your child can experiment with new activities like conducting and improvisation, story songs, and game songs.

Parent attendance is welcome but not required. Each family receives a Big Kids songbook, CD, solfège cards, and Home-Play activities, so that the entire family can continue the fun and learning at home and parents can stay connected with what the child is learning in class.

Music Together Preschool classes

Weekly Music Together Preschool classes are 30-to-45 minutes long and include an artistically conceived flow of songs, nursery rhymes, instrumental jam sessions, fingerplays, and movement activities. The combination and types of activities are research-based and support children’s developing competence in tonality and rhythm. In addition, activities evolve from the child’s world and include vocal play, animal sounds, rhythm play, language play, and a good bit of genuine, silly fun. Classes are taught by a registered Music Together teacher who is trained in music development and skilled in leading participatory music activity. Children “bring the music home” to their parents through the family CD and songbook.

We are currently enrolled in the mixed-age class. For both Logan and Olivia it’s $331.00 for a ten week class. However, prices vary depending on location. We meet once a week for 45 minutes and they have morning and evening classes which works out great because morning class is impossible with daddy’s graveyard schedule. After our first class we were each given a packet on the semesters lessons. Included in our packet was Music Together at Home: Helping Your Child Grow Musically, two copies of the music for our lesson – Bells (one for home, one for the car)  and a music book with lyrics and music sheets.

I look forward to watching my children grow over the next couple weeks and see how the behave and react  as we attend more classes. I also look forward to seeing what else is in store and can’t wait to share with you.

Check out more info about Music Together Classes online or become of fan of Music Together on Facebook for more info!

I received a winter-session of the classes mentioned above to help facilitate my review. No other compensation was received and opinions are my own.