Classes are made up of 6 to 12 children each child accompanied by a parent or caregiver. Ten weekly, 45-minute classes include songs, rhythm chants, movement, and instrument play. These activities are presented as informal, non-performance-oriented musical experiences--developmentally appropriate for children and easy for parents and caregivers--regardless of their own musical ability.
Two CD's and a Songbook with the current session's music selections are included!
The songs are presented through a variety of musical activities which incorporate....
-- Fun playful, interactive ways to focus on
tonal and rhythmic elements of music
-- Small and large
movement -- Free, expressive dance
--
Instrumental accompaniment (egg shakers, jingle bells, sticks, rhythm instruments)
-- Use of
props (scarves, dynabands, etc.)
-- Opportunities for
improvisation by children as well as parents
Classes have a characteristic flow which allows for various ages to all participate and make music together, each at his own level. Certain
rituals, such as the Hello Song at the beginning, and the sequence of Instrumental Jam Session, Lullaby, and Goodbye Song, at the end of class, help children internally pace their involvement and aid in classroom management.
Parent education during class will increase your understanding of the relevance of class activities to childhood music development.
Music Together parents discover what a powerful ROLE MODEL they are to their child, just by having fun with the music themselves. In doing so, they often find that their own musicality flourishes as well.
Interactions are
parent-child not child-child as in a preschool setting.
-- Our goal is to create an environment of family music making. Classes have more of a family feel rather than a school orientation. siblings can participate together, as well as moms, dads, grandparents, and caregivers.
-- A child's stage of musical development does NOT strictly coincide with his/her age.
-- The Music Together curriculum offers many levels of instruction SIMULTANEOUSLY.
-- Early childhood educators are now recommending mixed-age groupings as a better learning environment promoting social development and self-esteem. Older children learn from being in a leadership role, and younger children benefit from the example of an older child.
Yes! Infant participation will seem passive at first, as they actively absorb what they are seeing, hearing, and feeling.
Through reading the parent guide and through parent education in class, parents will learn to recognize their infant's musical responses and observe them reaching musical milestones.
As their bodies and nervous systems mature, the infants often show progressively more complex musical responses and evidence of song recognition.
Parents will learn in class how to enhance their child's music development and to create or enhance the musical bond with their child.
An Optional
INFANT/BABIES CLASS is offered as a one-semester introduction for infants eight months and younger. Parents of babies may choose to attend this class or a
MIXED-AGE CLASS. Both are developmentally appropriate for infants.
Summer classes start the week of July 7th -12th and end the week of August 25th-30th. .
ALL LOCATIONS HAVE TWO OPTIONS FOR SESSION LENGTH, to accomodate for summer vacations. Classes will be taught for 8 weeks during the dates listed above.
You may enroll for:
8-WEEK SESSION (8 classes)
OR
6-WEEK SESSION (attend ANY 6 out of the 8 classes)
AHWATUKEE
Classes start on Monday July 7th.
8 or 6 Week Option ** except on Saturday classes
Tuesday classes will be taught by Martha and Rachel .
SATURDAY classes will only have the 6 WEEK OPTION. NO CLASS ON JULY 19TH & 26TH.
CHANDLER
Classes start on Monday July 7th
8 or 6 Week option
Monday classes will be taught by Val in July and Marni in August.
Thursday classes will be taught by Rachel in July and Marni in August.
GILBERT
Classes start on Tuesday July 8th
8 or 6 Week Option
ANTHEM
NO CLASSES in Anthem for summer.
Classes will resume for Fall Session, starting last week of Sept. (registration will begin in mid-July.)
MAILING LIST: Please email your name and street address to be sure you receive Fall registration information.
PRESCOTT
Classes start on July 18th and end on September 5th.
8 or 6 Week Option
Registrations are now being accepted. TUITION, registration form and instructions available on "REGISTER" page.
Please READ INSTRUCTIONS carefully so you will be charged correctly for your 8 or 6 Week Option.
For Prescott classes, call Val Jahn @ 928-777-1057 for current schedule, tuition rates and registration form. Do NOT register on-line before calling Director.
For Phoenix Valley classes, SEE BELOW.
Teacher pictures and information are on the "Teachers" page.
