Music Together Giveaway!!
Posted at 8:13 am on March 4, 2010 by Catherine
For both Farrah and I, one of our very favorite things to do in DuPage County is participate in Music Together classes with Miss Christy. We have talked about them several times in the past, but today we are formally introducing you…and inviting you! At the end of this post is information about a few free demo classes coming up, as well as a giveaway for discounted sessions and a free Music Together book and CD!
But before I give you the details, first a testimonial. Farrah started going to class about a year before I did. Each time she signed up she tried to get me to come with, but I wasn’t paying much attention. As I’ve mentioned, I have high standards for kids music and am pretty musical myself. I was already singing and dancing my way through the day with my kids and had never seen a kid’s music class that could top what I did naturally. But when I finally signed up I was hooked…and so are both my boys. Nothing lights up their faces like hearing their Music Together songs start up – and not just in class. At home, we sing, dance, play them on the piano, make up new words to them, all day long. I don’t know how I would get dinner cooked these days if I couldn’t break out these songs which have become a sure pick-them-up.
Ok, enough from me – here’s the details. And at the bottom, your chance to win!
Wee Heart Music, Inc. provides the Music Together® music and movement classes for children birth through age five and their parents or caregivers. The Music Together® program is offered at Wheaton, Glen Ellyn and Lombard Park Districts. Openings in Music Together® classes are available on weekdays, afternoons, evenings, Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoon. Registration is now open for our spring semester beginning on Monday, April 5th.
In a Music Together® class, twelve children and their parents or caregivers (nanny, baby sitter, 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.
The national Music Together program has been developed in Princeton by coauthors Kenneth K. Guilmartin and Lili M. Levinowitz. Guilmartin, Founder/director of the Center for Music Young Children is active nationally in research and teacher training. He has composed numerous scores for off-Broadway and regional theater productions as well as many songs and instrumental pieces for Music Together song collections. “We believe that every child is musical, and that each child needs a stimulating, supportive music environment to enjoy the wonderful human capacity for music-making,” said Guilmartin. “Parents may be surprised to find that they can support their child’s music development regardless of their own background in music.”
Music Together® is a music and movement approach to early childhood that develops every child’s opportunity for basic music competence by encouraging actual 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. “This is a great program and all of the teachers are enthusiastic and their talent with children makes it very easy to have fun and ‘let yourself go!’” said a parent from Wheaton. “Even the fathers in their button-down shirts break down after a few weeks, and become bunnies on the floor, and have a great time!”
Interested? Find out more about the program by attending a free demonstration class at the Wheaton Park District on Sunday, March 21rst, Monday March 22nd and Saturday, April 3rd. At the Glen Ellyn Park Distrcit on Saturday, March 20th, Monday, March 22 and Tuesday, March 23rd. At the Lombard Park District on Tuesday, March 23rd and Friday, March 26th. RSVP’s are needed. Please call Christy Burich, Director at (630) 927-3028 for more information and a class brochure.
And now for the giveaway! I have two $15 Gift Certificates to use towards class, as well as a “Drums” CD and Music Book set. That equals three lucky winners! Please leave a comment to enter, and for a second try link to us on your blog, your email, Facebook, Twitter, Buzz…whatever! If you RSVP to attend a Demo Class let us know and we’ll give you yet a third entry.
Farrah and I are really excited about this one and I hope you are too. We just can’t get enough of Music Together!
**GIVEAWAYS ARE CLOSED**
Looks interesting ladies! I just might have to check it out. Thanks for posting.
We’d love to try it out. I was tempted, but a bit put off by the price, so a gift certificate would definitely sway me!
That’s awesome! We did music together with Quentin (and Jude as an infant) eons ago. I’ve been missing it!!
That sounds really great!!! My musical abilities are not nearly as impressive as your Cath;) but we do an awful lot of singing & dancing around the house & in the shower/bath! Thanks for sharing the details-I hope to check one of the classes out! Will let you know!!
Looks like fun! I know you guys have always raved about it.
Cool guys. Looks great. We’ve never been able to swing this on our budget, but we do love music.
What a great giveaway.
Sounds like a great program!
Awesome giveaway- yay Music Together! Christy is wonderful!
Just so you know, she is also adding a new location to her repretoire this summer….she will be teaching three morning sessions of Music Together at Cantigny in Wheaton on Tuesdays, starting in July! On a side note- as a new mom myself, the price can be suprising at first- but divided by the number of classes- plus the great CDs and songbook etc you get- it is well worth it for such a wonderful intro to music!