Families Making Music Together

Carol Widder as a teacher’s aide in the 1970’s at Yvonne Richardson Center.

Staff Report

Music Together is an internationally recognized early childhood music and movement curriculum for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergartners and the adults who love them. Originally offered to the public in 1987, it pioneered the concept of a research-based, developmentally appropriate early childhood music curriculum that strongly emphasizes and facilitates adult involvement. Music Together classes are now offered in more than 2,000 communities in more than 25 countries around the world.

The Music Together philosophy is based on the belief all children are musical. An environment of informal music activities should be made available to all children. Because today’s families tend to passively consume music through recordings and concerts rather than participate in music activities, many children are deprived of the opportunity to learn basic music skills the way they learn almost everything else: from the example of their primary caregivers. Music Together stresses parents do not have to be skilled musicians to provide opportunity, and enthusiastic participation is more important than getting the notes right.

According to the director of Making Music, Carol Widder, Music Together classes involve both parents and children or other caregivers in informal singing, chanting, moving, listening and instrument-playing activities that are developmentally appropriate for very young children. Continuing activities informally at home is made easier by the CD, songbook and parent education materials included in the cost of tuition. A parent education evening is offered each semester for parents enrolled in the program.

Making Music by Carol is now accepting registrations for its winter semester of music classes for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and the parents/caregivers who love them. Called Music Together, the classes will be offered various mornings and afternoons starting Jan. 7. Interested families may attend a free demonstration class at either Nightbird Books or Fayetteville Underground. Call 479-521-7507 or email carolwidder@gmail.com to schedule a free sample class.

For more information on classes offered here in Fayetteville call Making Music by Carol at 479-521-7507 or email carolwidder@gmail.com. Classes will be offered at Fayetteville Underground 101 W. Mountain and Nightbird Books, 205 W. Dickson, Fayetteville.

Free demonstration classes will be held at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 19, Dec. 20, Dec. 27 and Dec. 28 at Nightbird Books. Free demonstration classes will also be held at Fayetteville Underground: 6:30 p.m. Dec. 15, 4:30 p.m. Dec. 16 and 5:30 p.m. Dec. 29-30.