First Steps Ann Arbor: Music Together

Music Together® Classes

Held at the Family Center - 2775 Boardwalk Dr., room D108

Click Here for a neat video from Music Together: Video

All classes are now filled for Winter 2012.

Lottery for Spring 2012 will be held on Tuesday February 14th after 4 p.m. Forms etc. will be updated in late January.

Lottery Form Lottery Instructions

Please note: If you have not yet participted with First Steps you are not able to turn in a lottery form because you have not attended an orientation. If you want to participate in Music Together now, please check out Hand in Hand Music or Robinsongs for Kids. They provide only Music Together classes. We are a comprehensive program that is fortunate to offer 5 classes each session.

Current Families: Are you planning to participate and use the sliding fee scale? That's great and you must apply for a scholarship through Rec&Ed first. It takes 10 days to process so apply now. I cannot accept your lottery form without the full class fee (+ $45 for the materials) unless you have successfully applied for a scholarship.

Winter 2012 Class Schedule

Mondays 9:45-10:30 a.m.

Mondays 10:45-11:30 a.m

Tuesdays 1:35-2:20 p.m.

Wednesdays 10:00-10:45 a.m.

Wednesdays 11:00-11:45 a.m.
Winter classes for Music Together begin January 9, 2011 and end March 28, 2012. Music Together classes run during the same weeks as our other classes though they end a week earlier for a total of 11 weeks. You pay a $123 participation fee and a $45 material fee.

What is Music Together®?
    Music Together is an internationally recognized early childhood music program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, and the adults who love them. First offered to the public in 1987, it pioneers the concept of a research-based developmentally appropriate early childhood music curriculum that strongly emphasizes and facilitates adult involvement.
    Music Together classes are based on the recognition that all children are musical. All children can learn to sing in tune, keep a beat, and participate with confidence in the music of our culture, provided that their early environment supports such learning. By emphasizing actual music experiences rather than concepts about music, Music Together introduces children to the pleasures of making music instead of passively receiving it from CD's or TV.
    Central to the Music Together approach is that young children learn best from the powerful role model of parents/caregivers who are actively making music. The program brings families together by providing a rich musical environment in spontaneous musical activity at home within the context of daily life.
    Our teachers (Jean and Patty) have successfully completed the Music Together Teaching Workshop developed by the Center for Music and Young Children, Princeton, New Jersey. Both are registered Music Together teachers. Yvette Daniels has completed further training and is now a certified Music Together teacher.

      A Music Together class is:

music learned through developmentally appropriate activities that support and respect the unique learning styles of very young children.
infants, toddlers, and preschoolers participating at their own levels in family-style classes of mixed ages.
a community of families sharing songs, playing instruments rhythm chants, and movement activities in a relaxed, playful, non-performance-oriented setting.
a new song collection every session for three years, featuring great arrangements of original and traditional songs in a wide variety of tonalities, meters and cultural styles.

Your Role in the Class

Arrive on time. It's important to be there for the "Hello" song!
Model for your child by singing every song in class.
Please stay involved during the whole class- socialize with your friends before and after class. We're glad you're with friends!
Practice at home! This class takes a lot of preparation by you every week. The more songs you know, the easier it is to do musical things in class - like harmony!
Encourage your child(ren) to explore music and allow them to learn in their way and time. By being in the room, they are exposed to everything even if they're only watching in the beginning.

Each Session Includes:

10-12 weekly 45-minute classes teaching a specific song collection - Bongos, Bells, Triangle, Fiddle, Drum, Tambourine, Flutes, Sticks, Maracas. There are 3 years of different collections. Summer is 7 weeks and the collection is called "Summer."
Music Together At Home--a complimentary DVD for new Music Together families.
A professional recording each session with new songs, rhythm chants, "play-alongs," and tonal and rhythm patterns. Two copies - one for home and one for the car.
Beautifully illustrated songbook with family activities to enjoy at home.
Semi-annual family newsletter.

How do I register for a class?
You need a special form specifically for the Music Together classes. Please give them directly to Sherri or Marj, along with payment. A lottery is used to determine who is in these classes each session. Please read directions for this posted in your class or on this website under currect schedule. All past-due First Steps fees must be paid prior to registration in any First Steps class. New families must attend an orientation prior to signing up for any class with First Steps.
When you sign up for a Music Together class, this class is considered your regular participation class. You may add a second (non-Music Together) class for an additional fee which will vary depending on the length of the session.

For more Music Together locations: www.musictogether.com or (800)728-2692