The Community Music & Arts Network is offering free sample classes for the Fall 2012 Music Together® early childhood mixed age music and movement program. Parents and caregivers and children from birth to age five are welcome to participate in this developmentally appropriate, research based, internationally acclaimed program.
Demonstration classes will be held Wednesday, September 12th at 9:15am in Hobart and at 4:30 pm in Oneonta, and again in Hobart at 10:15 am, Saturday, September 15th. Classes are currently held at the Hobart Activity Center, located at 8 Pine Street in Hobart, and the Foothills Performing Arts Center, located at 24 Market Street in Oneonta. Pre-registration for these free classes is preferred to ensure space.
Fall classes begin September 19th and run through the first week of December. Registration is currently open and available online at www.communitymusicnetwork.com. Discounts are available for siblings and returning families. An infant sibling less than 8 months accompanying an older sibling is free. Registration includes two CDs for home and the car, parent education materials, and an activity songbook.
In a Music Together class, twelve children and their parents or caregivers (nanny, babysitter, grandparent) meet for 45 minutes each week for ten weeks to experience new songs, chants, movement activities, and instrumental jam sessions. Both adults and children sit in the circle and participate, led by a teacher with early childhood and music skills. The teacher helps adults understand how to participate and the importance of relaxing and enjoying the activities with their children.
Children have many opportunities to create and to play—making up rhythm patterns, making up new words to songs, and making up movements to express a sound. Some children simply stare and “study” the activity as they absorb the musically rich environment. Others sing, play, and dance freely because they know the songs and chants from the songbook and recording they take home. All experience a comfortable, encouraging environment that respects individual temperaments and learning styles. Twelve to fourteen activities are included in each class ranging from free movement to songs in unusual tonalities and unusual meters.
Music Together is a music and movement approach to early childhood that develops every child’s opportunity for basic music competence by encouraging music experience rather than learning of information about music. Families are encouraged to attend class together, so younger children and older children in the same family can learn music and movement activities to enjoy at home. Parents also enjoy the classes because their skills and appreciation increase, too.
For more information, to reserve a spot in a demonstration class, or to register for Music Together® classes, Contact the Community Music & Arts Network director, Pamela West-Finkle, at 607-652-2330 or email FunMusic4Kids@aol.com to reserve a place in class. Visit www.communitymusicnetwork.com for more information.
For more information on Music Together®, visit www.musictogether.com.
