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FREE Demo Classes This Week at Music Together of Greater Danbury

Demo Classes Dec. 12-18; Plus, Save $15 on Winter Registration which begins Jan. 11

By Meghan Friedland, Editor/Publisher of Macaroni Kid Danbury-Bethel-Ridgefield December 11, 2015
Music Together of Greater Danbury is offering FREE Demo Classes and is now registering for the Winter Semester which begins January 11 and runs 10 weeks. As always classes will include singing, dancing, rhythmic chants, small and large movement activities, and instrument play. Classes are held at Gymnastics Spectrum in Danbury, Dance Dimensions in Brookfield, Connecticut Sports Arena in New Milford and Spark Arts in Bethel. See schedule of classes offered here

FREE Demo classes available! Plus, Save $15 on registration when you mention Macaroni Kid! 
FREE Demo classes:
December 12 at 10AM (full) & 11AM at Gymnastics Spectrum, Danbury
September 15 at 10AM at Connecticut Sports Arena, New Milford
September 15 at 10AM at Spark Arts, Bethel
September 16 & 18 at 10:30AM at Gymnastics Spectrum, Danbury

Contact Don O'Keefe via email at Director@MTDanbury.com or via phone at 203-731-4053 to register for a demo class. Or register online here. Be sure to let Don know you heard about the classes in Macaroni Kid!

Music Together is not just going to music class and forgetting about it until the next week. It's the type of program that becomes part of the fabric of your everyday routine - which is one of the best ways to learn. You'll be humming and singing the songs in the car, the tub, over dinner and in the grocery store. You may even find yourself improvising and making up your own fun lyrics to the catch melodies while making breakfast, changing a diaper or asking the kids to get their shoes on. 



What makes the Music Together program so special?
There is something very special about sharing the music class experience together as a family. Because Music Together is designed to be experienced just as much outside of class as in (you are given a CD and songbook as well as a link to download the songs online), you'll likely find yourself living and breathing the songs from the collection on a daily basis. While this idea may seem somewhat daunting at first, you may quickly come to learn how easily the music can be used as a parenting tool to help calm a tense situation, encourage cooperation/listening, and of course entertain. The songs are simple, catchy and fun for the kids while being easy on the ear for adults.

What style of music is taught?
The music is pitched in just the right range for children’s voices and includes songs, rhythmic chants, tonal and rhythm patterns, and instrumental play-alongs, all in a rich variety of tonalities and meters. Original songs and arrangements by the program coauthors make the collections especially unique. Outstanding instrumentalists play a variety of instruments, such as guitar, bass, flutes, keyboards, and percussion. You can sample the songs here. 

Do I need to be musically inclined to take a class?
What's great about Music Together is that you can nurture the musical growth of your child, regardless of your own musical ability. The program is designed to involve the parent/caregiver in the music learning process. Classes build on your child's natural enthusiasm for music and movement and will help you to provide your child with the basic musical skills needed to enjoy school and social musical activities, and to study an instrument should he or she choose to do so.  So you don't need a background in music to be able to enjoy and get the most out of the classes. 

What can we expect from a Music Together class?
During each class, parents are encouraged to participate by singing and participating in dance/movements while allowing their child the freedom to participate at his/her own pace. You won't see a parent clapping their child's hands for them or telling their child that he/she isn't "doing it right". You will likely see children who may sit and just observe at first and you may see others who stray from the circle and sing/dance from several feet away.  

Since a CD is provided, does that mean there is homework?
It is important to play the CD as much as possible with your child so that they (and you) can really learn the songs. Being intimately familiar with the songs outside of class makes participating the songs inside of class all the more effective and fun for both you and your child. Having a fun music jam as a family at home and playing the CD in the car are great ways for kids to learn the songs outside of class. If your child doesn't sing along, that's OK. But you should! They are listening so the more you sing along, the more they will absorb.  

Can I find out information about the teachers?
You can read the bios of all the Music Together of Greater Danbury teachers here. Each follows the same curriculum but brings their own personal style to the class.  

How much does it cost? / How do I register? 
Tuition for the 10 week Winter 2016 semester is $250 for new families which includes a one time $15 family registration fee. The rate for returning families is $235 and the sibling rate for all families is $150 unless they are under 9 months, then they are FREE! You can save $15 when you mention Macaroni Kid! Your tuition includes two professional recorded CDs (one for home; one for the car) and a beautifully illustrated songbook with family activity suggestions. Register here

More Information
For further information about the internationally recognized Music Together program, visit www.musictogether.com. For class and schedule information for Music Together of Greater Danbury, visit www.mtdanbury.com or contact Director, Don O'Keefe via email at Director@MTDanbury.com or via phone at 203-731-4053. Be sure to let him know you heard about the program via Macaroni Kid! You can also "Like" Music Together of Greater Danbury on Facebook for the latest program news.

Editor's Note: Music Together of Greater Danbury provides complimentary class registration in exchange for sponsored editorial and display ad content. The opinions expressed here are my own.