Doesn't this weather make you want to sing?? My fondest memories from childhood are of springtime mornings when my dad and I would get up early and he would take me to a pond near my house. My dad  would carry fishing poles, a snack, and we would makeup silly songs when as we walked.

It's easy to forget how simple life can be. Your child longs to hear your voice through story, rhyme, and song. This spring savor the beauty of these special moments. It could be on a porch swing singing "Ladybug" or outside splashing in the puddles singing "Dance With Me". 

Each week I want to post our free dance song along with a "Song of the Week". Don't feel limited to singing and dancing to only Music Together music! There is so much out there!

Happy Singing!

Our Free Dance...

Song of the Week...

This song is spring! Elizabeth Mitchell is one of my favorites from the world of children's music. Enjoy!

Dedicated to the Newbies...

Starting any class with your child is really exciting. After a few weeks he/she may light up when being told you are headed to art class, swim class, or music class. The beauty of Music Together is your ability to bond with your child through music in class and at home. For those of you who have more cautious and shy children I think it is important to note it may take a few weeks for your child to adjust to this new musical environment.

On a similar note, I think every semester I have a parent approach me and tell me that they are concerned that during class their child does nothing but sit and watch. They don't seem to be enjoying it. I always follow up by asking if he/she enjoys the music at home. Nine out of ten times the parent exclains "Oh yes! Timmy does all the movements and sings all of the songs when we get home!"

The foundation of Music Together is the belief that all children are musical. Research supports the idea that singing in tune and keeping a rhythm is a learned ability. This is amazing information to understand and apply but what we must make note of is that all children learn differently. One of my favorite moments in a class is to step back and take in what each child is doing during a particular song. Some children sit wide eyed gripping their sticks just watching the group sing and play along. Meanwhile right next to this child is one who is furiously banging along to the beat with the sticks trying to do exactly what I am doing. I also love to see the child improvising to their own beat and technique focused on doing their own thing. All behaviors are musical all are welcome in music class.

So my encouragement to you all is to resist the urge to have any expectations. It's easy to look over and compare or feel like your child is not getting anything out of a class because they are not jumping in head first. But remember they may need to get their toes wet first. Also remember their learning style may require them to watch, listen, or feel something before they try it on their own. Just remember whether new to the program or if you are several sessions in your child is getting the musical exposure (in class and at home) that he or she needs to sing in tune and keep a rhythm.

Ok, so now in the privacy of your own home: turn up the speakers, put on your jumping shoes, and have a dance party with your little one! Have a great week!

To Sing, or Not to Sing:That is the Question

Happy New Year! Welcome to my new blog. Feel free to subscribe to this blog, bookmark it on your computer, check in regularly for new posts. There are so many things I want to say in class and sometimes time allows and sometimes it doesn't. I have started this blog to restate and/or further explain some of the information I would like to convey to you each week.

All of us come to music with a range experiences. Some of you may have had formal lessons, some sing in a choir, others just enjoy listening to music while cooking dinner, or attending the occasional concert. Some of you may feel little or no connection to music at all. Because of our varied musical experiences, we all appreciate music and approach it differently. So, here you are with whatever background you may have and I am asking you each week to sing, dance, wiggle, and pat to a variety of different sounds. This may be fine in the comfort of your own home but in the presence of strangers!?!? So why is it important to sing in Music Together class? 

Here are 3 reasons why you should sing like nobody is listening and dance like nobody is watching:

1.You are your child’s musical model. Children are very receptive to sound --especially the sound of your voice. Their ears have been tuned to your voice since they were forming in the womb. They need to hear you singing (even if it’s not perfect). The more you sing and make music with your child the more likely they are to achieve Basic Music Competence (sing in tune & keep an accurate rhythm). I often tell the story in class of my Dad singing oldies to me while riding in the car. We sang these songs all of the time but it wasn’t until I was older and had a few years of musical training under my belt that I realized... OH WOW... my Dad can’t sing in tune!! Still, my Dad's singing helped bring me to a LIFE of music. 

2. Your child will know it’s okay to participate. If your child sees you are having fun he will most likely join the group. Even if you aren’t singing from the top of your lungs, he needs to see that it’s okay. You know what they say – if you want your child to read, they need to see you reading for pleasure. If you want your child to drive safely, they need to see you do it. If you want your child to participate and enjoy participating in music of any form, they need to know it’s okay from you. Your ease and comfort and enthusiasm may make the difference in your son or daughter feeling like they can sing their college fight song, or the National Anthem, or even Happy Birthday!

3. Making music creates community. In our culture we are no longer accustomed to gathering a group together to sing. Those days departed with the invention of the radio and the cd player (things that help us consume music but not necessarily make it in a group!) It is a beautiful experience for a child to be in a group of adults singing, dancing, and making music with them.

The best way to get more comfortable singing and moving in class is to practice at home. Make singing a part of your daily routine. Sing when putting your child’s shoes on, sing during bath time, sing in the car, and then bring that singing voice to class each week.

Homework (Yup I said Homework! But this is the fun kind.): This week try using “I'm Gonna Play Today" (you will hear this song on the CD you will receive in class) as a part of your morning routine. You could sing “Putting on our shoes and we don't care, putting on our shoes and we don't care, putting on our shoes and we don't care, we're gonna play today!”

Remember in all of this, it’s not about performance; it IS about fun!

I welcome your questions and stories! I'll leave you with a fun version of Mr. Rabbit that you will find on the Bells collection this semester. Enjoy!

Song List!

Here is a list of the songs in the Holiday collection. You will be receiving a CD of all of these songs in class. Click on the image and it will be made bigger. Once you see it in the new window you can make it even larger by clicking it agin. Enjoy! Please scroll to the next post to read a little bit more about our Holiday Session. Cheers! Mrs. Liz

Tis' the Season of Singing!

This is one of my favorite seasons of the year! All of the yummy food, the cold weather that makes you want to snuggle up (come on Charlotte get with the program!), the attitude of giving, and most of all the festive music! Music is such a beautiful way to celebrate. It is magical how all of the songs we grew up singing can bring us such happiness and comfort. In whatever way you celebrate during this season I hope you embrace all of the songs in our Holiday collection. I also invite you to share songs and traditions you practice in your home. Please feel free to post on this blog or send me an email. I would love to incorporate your favorite holiday songs with the songs we will be singing over the next four weeks. I will be posting on this blog regularly so please stay tuned for ideas of what to be doing at home, new fun songs, and notes on some of the songs included in this Holiday collection. My email is: lizacorwin@gmail.com

I have included one of my favorite holiday songs below. It is a great version of "Over the River and Through the Woods". You will hear a different version of it (without words) on your CD. Growing up my family drove down to Florida to visit grandparents during the holidays and my dad would sing this to my brother and I as we sat in the back seat of the station wagon. Enjoy!