All of our classes are mixed-age family style classes for children ranging in age from birth through age four.  This essential 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. Even our newborn music makers produce tones, shake their hands, tap their toes, wiggle, and absorb what others around them are singing and playing. The emphasis is upon creating a fun, informal, intergenerational musical experience powered by the caregiver/child dyad.  Any caregivers—parents, grandparents, nanny—can bring the children. The whole family is welcome for this important family music experience. 

Our classes are offered in 10 week semesters (fall, winter, spring) and 6 week summer semesters.  Weekly 45-minute classes include songs, rhythmic rhymes, 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. Tuition includes 2 CDs, a beautifully illustrated songbook, and Music and Your Child A Guide for Parents and Caregivers.

Interested in seeing a class in action?  Check out this video:  CLASS VIDEO

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is Music Together^®?

• A fun family music program for parents and children ages birth through four.
• Parent participation (regardless of the parent's own musical ability) is essential to create the stimulating musical environment that all children need to develop their musical intelligence.
• A high quality, developmentally appropriate research-based curriculum with playful activities.
• Children participate at their own level and when they are ready.  There is no performance pressure.  Children are not required to sit still.  They are encouraged to respond spontaneously to the musical environment.
• Music Together is a national program, with a center located in Virginia Beach/Norfolk, VA.  It was started in 1987 by Kenneth K. Guilmartin and Lili Levinowitz and is based in Princeton, NJ.  Music Together serves over 2,000 communities worldwide!

How does a mixed-age class work?

• The curriculum is designed to teach on many levels of complexity at once.
• Children of the same age are not necessarily in the same stage of musical development.
• The activities are parent-child oriented, not child-child, so children don't need to be with children of the same age.
• Early childhood educators are recommending mixed age groupings now as better for social and self-esteem development; older children get to be the leaders and younger children benefit form the examples of an older child.
• The classes have more of a family feel rather than a school orientation. Siblings can participate together, as well as moms, dads, grandparents, and caregivers.

What do we do during a class?

• Lots of singing!
• Rhythmic Chants ("Jack be nimble Jack be quick! Jack jump over the candlestick!")
• Instrument Play (egg shakers, rhythm sticks, bells, drums)
• Free Movement and movement activities with scarves, rainbow ribbons, and even balls!
• Creative Movement (finger plays, small movement, large motor movement activities) 
• Play Along, a free-choice "jam session" is the climax of the class 

What kind of music will we sing?

• Every semester you will receive a new collection of over 35 songs, movement activities, chants, and instrument play-alongs.  Each collection includes lullabies, dance tunes, songs without words, folk songs from many cultures, and other important experiences with key elements in music.

How do I know if my child is ready for class?

• All children are musical.  The reason we don't all sing in tune and keep a steady beat is simple neglect.  Our ability to talk results from immersion in language from birth.  We aren't immersed in music from birth like we are in language.  So, is your child ready for class? YES!
• At first, children may seem uninterested and/or quiet.  There are several reasons for this:  a new environment, new people, a new activity.  Usually by the fourth class, if you are enjoying yourself and having a positive experience, your child will become more observably participatory. 
• Please remember that there are many different learning styles and some children are observers/private practicers. 

My child is VERY active-what if he/she cannot sit still for the full 45 minute class?

• All Music Together classes maintain a very informal atmosphere.  Children are not expected to sit still throughout the entire class.  It is also perfectly acceptable for children to wander around the room as long as they are still mentally engaged in the musical activities.  Parents should feel free to bring the activity to the child or bring him/her back to the circle.  Each class features at least 3 large movement activities that allow everyone to get up, move and dance around the room.   

Do infants really benefit?

• YES! At first, an infant's participation will be passive but they are actively absorbing what they see, hear, and feel.  Parents will learn to recognize infants' musical responses and will observe them reaching musical milestones.   Parent education in class and the parent guide are provided to assist parents and caregivers.
• As their bodies and nervous systems mature, infants will be able to show progressively more complex musical responses and evidence of song recognition. 
• Through class experiences, parents will learn how to enhance their child's musical development and create a musical bond with their child.

How is Music Together different from other children's music programs?

• Music Together was the first research-based music program for young children.  Ongoing research and development as well as a lab school provides Music Together instructors with the most cutting-edge music and education innovations.
• Music Together fosters a family music-making experience.  Mixed age classes teach family groups how to play together with music, bringing a joyful experience into everyday life. 
• Music Together classes are 45 minutes (not 30).  This provides a longer, effective class which is well-paced and well matched to a child's way of learning.  It also provides more opportunity for varied experiences.
• Music Together does not organize class content around themes and ages like other programs frequently do.  These themes are more apt to reflect an adult's concept of music education than a child's way of experiential learning.  Music Together provides many and varied experiences, with very little explanation or directed teaching.
• Parent involvement is a centerpiece of the Music Together experience.  Parents are considered students as well as the children which makes this a family program.  Music Together educates parents about basic music development in childhood and involves them actively in all activities.  At home, parents and caregivers are asked to play, sing, and move with their child.  This should be done with and without Music Together recordings. 
   

How much does it cost?

• Please visit the Register page for current rates. 

Class Schedule Class Descriptions

Class Schedule Start Date Duration End Date Teacher Larchmont United Methodist 1101 Jamestown Crescent Norfolk, Virginia 23508 (View Map) Mixed Age Thursday 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM Jul 08, 2010 6 weeks Aug 12, 2010 Emily Brennan Rigotti Mixed Age Friday 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM Jul 09, 2010 6 weeks Aug 13, 2010 Emily Brennan Rigotti Francis Asbury United Methodist 1871 North Great Neck Road Virginia Beach, Virginia 23454 (View Map) Mixed Age Monday 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM Jul 05, 2010 6 weeks Aug 09, 2010 Emily Brennan Rigotti Mixed Age Tuesday 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM Jul 06, 2010 6 weeks Aug 10, 2010 Emily Brennan Rigotti Mixed Age (Canceled) Tuesday 5:30 PM - 6:15 PM Jul 06, 2010 6 weeks Aug 10, 2010 Emily Brennan Rigotti Mixed Age Tuesday 4:30 PM - 5:15 PM Jul 06, 2010 6 weeks Aug 10, 2010 Emily Brennan Rigotti St. Andrew's 717 Tucson Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23462 (View Map) Mixed Age Wednesday 9:30 AM - 10:15 AM Jul 07, 2010 6 weeks Aug 11, 2010 Emily Brennan Rigotti Mixed Age Wednesday 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM Jul 07, 2010 6 weeks Aug 11, 2010 Emily Brennan Rigotti