Classes for babies through 5 year-olds
. . . and the grownups who love them
®
The cornerstone of the Music Together program is our Mixed-Age Family Class, for children from birth through age 5 - and their grownups! Whether your class is outdoors, in a classroom, or online, all are active music-making experiences, designed to teach the way children learn: through play with the grownups they love.
A Mixed-Age Family Class is the essential Music Together class, one that a child can attend from birth through age five through all twelve 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 children in the same 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.
Gathering babies, toddlers, and preschoolers together makes each class fun for all. There are lots of group activities for kids out there, but Music Together offers a true family music class for the youngest infant to the oldest great-grandparent, and everyone in between. Imagine an extended family with a dozen or more kids and a bunch of caring adults, and you'll get the idea!
®
Each week, a trained Music Together teacher leads the class in singing, dancing, and playing songs that range from tender lullabies to boisterous jams using child-friendly percussion instruments.
Our award-winning music, illustrated songbook, and other print and online resources will help you continue the music-making fun at home and nurture your child's musical growth—even if you don't think of yourself as a great singer or dancer. Like parenting, making music requires no previous experience or expertise, just a willingness to get down on the floor and get silly with your child!
What our familes say about the program:
"What I love most is the way we all make music in our lives in between classes! We all sing a lot more than we ever did before we started taking Music Together. My daughter and son play music wherever they see it. They see music in the neatest things! They will rattle things or drum on things. They even make mini impromptu music skits here and there. My three and a half year old daughter makes up songs a lot. She practices with her volume variations. My one and a half year old is quite shy in class, rarely leaving my lap or hip. But when we are home or in the car he makes up his own songs and music and I can tell that he just loves it! I have to say that all of the classes (three so far, with three different teachers) have been great! There is something very magical about witnessing and participating in music that is so purely from the heart. I have heard beautiful music all over the world performed live, and I have rarely seen music enjoyed with so much love! It has inspired me to really lose myself in singing songs. Thank you!"
~Michelle H, Santa Rosa
"We have really enjoyed this class. There have been so many fun/memorable musical moments with Ben. He is an observer in class, but let me tell you at home he really “cuts loose”!! He claps, sings and dances around all the time! It’s great! We just love the Music Together program and how it’s really brought out the little musician in our Ben."
~ Angel T, Healdsburg
"She liked music before, but this experience was unforgettable and has changed how everyone in our family looks at music. Can't thank you enough!"
~Fatima V, Santa Rosa
"We're looking forward to more fun with music. I'm really pleased at how well Abi can keep a beat and stay in tune. You should hear her sing "Doe, a Deer, a Female Deer . . ." Doesn't miss a beat or a note. She'll be 3 in November (08) and just loves to sing. Thanks for offering this fantastic program to children." (Abi started Music Together at 6 mos. old.)
~ Janie H. (grandma)
"Music Together awoke in Anne an energy and a sense of self that no other activity brought out. Her father and I are both very very grateful for who Music Together helped Anne become."
~ Rebecca H, Santa Rosa
"The mix of ages is really great for Wyatt. He loves studying what everyone is doing. I love all the instruments Wyatt is is exposed to there."
~Gina P, Santa Rosa