Classes Offered

NEW - Parent/Infant Class (1-8 months)

Offered Fall Semester only.

This is an experience-based class for infants 1-8-months-old and their caregivers. Caregivers will experience a variety of ways for interacting face to face with their infant while also attending to the musical development of the young child. The child’s first social interactions are with those who care for them regularly, and music can provide caregivers with meaningful ways to engage the infant and create reciprocal interactions. Caregivers and infants will participate in group instruction that includes singing, listening, moving, and playing simple instruments. Consistent with the YMA philosophy, the Parent/Infant class will also include time for caregivers and infants to explore a variety of instruments and manipulatives on their own, providing an opportunity for differentiation based on the developmental needs of the infant.

Parent/Toddler (20 Months—2 Years Old)

This course provides the toddler with an environment that allows for free musical exploration. At least one adult attends this course with each child, and will be involved in (1) observing and learning from their child, (2) assisting their child in musical exploration by labeling musical sounds, and (3) interacting with their child in the musical exploration. Music centers allow the children to explore freely, be creative, make choices, solve problems, and control their environment. Children are involved in the study of music as they explore tone color (timbre), long and short sounds (rhythm), high and low sounds (pitch), patterns of sound (form), and loud and soft sounds (dynamics). In addition, the children develop musical skills of singing, listening, playing instruments, creating, and becoming familiar with music symbols in ways appropriate to their age.

Group time allows the children to participate in musical activities with their peers. Musical exploration is continued as the children are led by an adult in group singing, listening, moving to songs and recorded master works, and other creative activities. Social awareness and acceptable social behavior are also developed during group time. Each week, a performing musician visits the class to expose the children to orchestral instruments and classic music literature. Newsletters and take-home materials encourage music making in the home. They provide parents with ideas, instruments, music games, and research information about the toddler that give added perspective concerning the kinds of musical experiences to provide at home.

Music Explorers (3 Years Old)

This course continues the exploration of music that began in the parent-toddler course. At least one adult attends this course with each child, and will be involved in (1) observing and learning from their child, (2) assisting their child in musical exploration by labeling musical sounds, and (3) interacting with their child in the musical exploration. Music centers allow the children to explore freely, be creative, make choices, solve problems, and control their environment. Children are involved in the study of music as they explore tone color (timbre), long and short sounds (rhythm), high and low sounds (pitch), patterns of sound (form), and loud and soft sounds (dynamics). In addition, the children develop musical skills of singing, listening, playing instruments, creating, and becoming familiar with music symbols.

Group time allows the children to participate in musical activities with their peers. Musical exploration is continued as the children are led by an adult in group singing, listening, moving to songs and musical recordings, and other creative activities. Three-year-olds are learning to work together, and group singing games challenge the children to solve social problems while they are learning music. Each week, a performing musician visits the class to expose the children to orchestral instruments and classic music literature. Newsletters and take-home materials encourage music making in the home. They provide parents with ideas, instruments, and research information about the three-year-old that give added perspective concerning the kinds of musical experiences to do at home.

Music Makers (4 Years Old)

This course grants pre-kindergarten children an environment for free musical exploration while helping develop awareness of musical notation and instrument playing using resonator bells. Music centers allow the children to explore freely, be creative, and develop intellectual and social skills as they make choices, solve problems, and play together. Group time, which plays a major role in this course, encourages children to explore more specific musical ideas. Both the music centers and group time involve children in the study of music as they explore tone color (timbre), long and short sounds (rhythm), high and low sounds (pitch), patterns of sound (form), and loud and soft sounds (dynamics). In addition, children practice the musical skills of singing, listening, playing instruments, creating, and learning music symbols. While parents are not invited to the Music Maker classes, information for parents is provided in the form of take-home activities so that musical exploration may continue at home. Children in the class are encouraged to “teach” their parents things they learn.

Music Creators (5-6 Years Old)

This course will allow five- and six-year-old children opportunities for free exploration and group creating and learning. The beginnings of music reading will be nurtured through the use of resonator bells. Students will have time to explore music centers and instruments, allowing them to be creative and develop intellectual and social skills as they make choices, solve problems, and play together. In exploration and group time, students will explore all of the music elements through the four musical processes identified in the National Standards in Music– creating, performing, responding, and connecting – giving them a breadth of experience in music.