About Music Together® ® Classes:
How long are the classes and how long are the semesters?
Classes are 45 minutes, once a week. The Fall, Winter and Spring Semesters are 10 weeks, and the Summer session is 7 weeks.
How many children are in each class?
There is a minimum of six (6) and a maximum of twelve (12) children enrolled in each class. On occasions there may be one or two extra families doing a preview or making up a missed class. Each child or set of siblings is accompanied by a parent or caregiver.
What is the age range of the classes?
All classes are mixed age from 0 through 5 years, unless otherwise stated. The activities are Parent/Child interactive so mixed ages are not an issue. Research finds mixed age classes to be extremely beneficial for early musical development in a variety of ways.
What are "Mixed Age" classes?
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.
What do you do in the classes?
It's 45 minutes of fun, informal music making and creating. Adults and children together sing and dance to songs, play instruments, look at pictures in our songbooks, make up silly rhymes for our songs, sing tonal and rhythmic patterns, and experience a wide range of rhythmic and melodic musical variety. You will also join your teacher singing as she plays her keyboard, recorder, guitar, or other instrument (depending on your teacher). Live music making rather than passive listening is the name of our game!
How can I preview a class with my child?
You can come to a class during a regular session or, at the beginning of each session, we hold demonstration classes. If you've missed this semester's demos and there is room in a class, you may visit the class in session as a demo. If you join, you will pay from that class forward, if not, you may take it as a free class. Please call or email for availability or further information.
What kind of instruments do you use?
We have a wide variety of unpitched instruments such as Drums, Triangles, Tambourines, Bells, Shakers and Rhythm sticks. The reason for unpitched instruments is so that the children will never feel they are playing a "wrong" note and can join in however they like. You too will be playing along on these instruments! We also use chime bars pitched to match the songs and we dance with scarves and other props!
My child probably won't sit still for 45 minutes........
Music Together classes maintain an informal atmosphere in the classroom and we do not expect children of this young age to sit still throughout the whole class. Normally we have about 3 or 4 activities during the class where we all get up and move around the room. Also children are free to wander about the circle or around the room during the class as long as they are obviously still mentally engaged in the activities. Parents are free to take the activity over to their child to engage them or try to bring them back to the circle.
Can I bring my husband/grandma/aunt etc?
Yes. Any number of adults can attend with a registered child.
Do you do the same songs every week?
Each week we do about twelve (12) songs from the 25-30 song collection. We usually do the same songs the first two (2) weeks, with changes to the lesson plan made each week thereafter. So each week we do mostly familiar songs with a few new ones until we have covered the whole session's collection.
Do you have the same songs each session?
No, there are nine (9) different sessions of material so families can take the course for 3 years and not repeat the material.
Missed Classes, Starting Late, Cancellations:
What happens if I miss a class?
You can make up two (2) per child per semester, space permitting. Make-up classes cannot be carried on to another semester and are not transferable to another family.
If I start late, can you pro-rate the session?
If you are starting our session after it has begun, we can pro-rate your session. The maximum pro-ration will be for two (2) weeks. The pro-rate amount is based on $16.00 per class missed.
What happens if I need to cancel the semester?
You can cancel your registration for any reason until the FIRST WEEK OF CLASS. You will be charged a $30 cancellation fee and refunded the rest of your tuition. If you have taken materials already, $36 will be withheld as well. We regret that there can be no refunds after the first week of class. Your spot in class has been sold and cannot necessarily be resold.
Can I pay by credit card?
We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. We currently do not accept credit card payments online but you can register online and call the office with your credit card information if you choose that payment option. Payment is also available by cash or check. Checks are payable to Meadowlands Music Together.
