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I am looking for a recommendation for a music class appropriate
for a 4 year old. I have checked the website and most
recommendations are a few years old and are for music together,
kindermusik etc.
We have taken the music together classes, but being almost 4
years old, I feel my son has outgrown those. Last semester most
of the other kids in his class could barely walk and I'm
looking for a class with kids his age. I know that Music
Together is just starting an older kids class at Danspace on
Sundays, but I am looking for a class on Fridays since I don't
work on Fridays.
I remember reading something somewhere about Jon's or Jona's
classes in Berkeley that include using instruments, but
couldn't find it on the website.
Andrea
My 4 year old loves music--singing, dancing, listening, playing (in his own
fashion) and we want to encourage him.
He seems to have outgrown music together, and we
wondered what else is out there. The other catch is that we can't take him to
anything during the workday, so we're looking for something on weekends or after
5:30 pm during the week. Movement classes or places where music and movement
are combined (not necessarily structured very much!) would be the best as he
has lots of happy energy. Though other things which would be good for someone
(maybe singing?) his age we'd love to hear about too, we're pretty ignorant. The
website postings are old and we'd love an update.
Thanks!
jcohn
Recommended:
Hi, I am looking for a music class to take my son to on Mondays or Fridays. We live in the East Bay. Thanks. Charlie
I'm looking for a general musicianship class for my 4-1/2 year
old son. He's too old for Music Together and not yet ready for
instrument lessons or music theory. I'd like to find something
that's fun (preferably movement oriented), emphasizes general
musicianship (rhythm, pitch, tones, etc.) and preferably lets
the children experiment with different instruments. I liked
Nancy Denz's ''Music for Children'' program very much, but she no
longer is offering it in the East Bay. I'd like to find
something near Montclair or Rockridge, if possible, but am open
to other suggestions. Thanks.
Wants music mom
Recommended:
I am looking for a music class for my 16.5 month son that starts in the fall, when he will be 18 months old. We take him to Gymboree on Saturdays, and actually are considering Golden Bear Gymanstics in the fall instead, so that leaves us evenings or Sundays for squeezing in a music class. Evenings being a 6 pm class. Does anybody have any recommendations or suggestions? Thanks! Kelly
East Bay Moms offers MUSIC-MADE-FUN 4 KIDS! classes taught by Ellen B. Freed in Montclair on Thursday mornings (10-11) as well as Wednesday afternoons (3:30-4:30). This fun, sing-along musical activity group is for children ages 9 months to 3.5 years with their parents or caregivers. Using a "circle time" format with musical accompaniment, the class incorporates traditional children's songs, finger-play, instruments and dance/movement as well as "grown-up" songs that appeal to children. Rather than trying to teach a musical curriculum, the goal is to instill an interest in and a love for all kinds of music and singing by making it accessible and fun for both parents and children. New six week sessions begin on Feburary 16th & 17th; the fee is $36/child for East Bay Moms members and $42/child for non-members. A registration form can be obtained from the East Bay Moms website at www.eastbaymoms.com
My 6 year old daughter very much wants to learn an instrument, and is not interested in a general little kid's music class without instruments anymore (she is very musical, has a good singing voice and a good ear, but no training as of yet with instruments). She is open about which instrument, although she is taken with both the cello and recorder (and flute, but I understand 6 is to young to be successful at the flute). The orff method has been recommended, and I looked into the Crowden school, but the group classes for her age group also require private lessons (which gets expensive with the group class fees) , and the ones that don't do not allow 6 year olds. Can anyone recommend an orff method teacher for small group or private lessons, or a good group class somewhere based on this method that offers instrument training for a 6 year old? I am open to other methods as well as long as they are fun and low-pressure. Thanks for the input! Lyla
Regarding music options: Music Time is supposed to be excellent. It is the most expensive (about $15/class). Call 415-750-1166. Kindermusik didn't impress me much at the Albany location 1-800-615-5415. The teacher couldn't sing in tune. Kids In Tune offers classes through Park and Rec departments. Call 887-1304. Pacific Redwoods Music Together classes are offered in Berkeley at St. Johns Church in the morning (Julie Tannenbaum) 843-8641and afternoon (Nancy Hughes 597-9861). Neighborhood Moms also offers a $4/session class on Wednesday mornings at 10:00 I think in Berkeley lead by volunteers.
After checking out most of these music programs, I've opted to hire a private teacher with several other moms on an every other week basis. I've found this the best quality for the best price.
This is perhaps tangential, but Albany Pool has a swimming class for toddlers in which most of the half hour each week is spent singing various songs together in the pool. As each child must be held by a parent, there is unfortunately not much opportunity for interaction between the children nor for unconstrained expression. Nevertheless, it can be a lot of fun for the toddlers. The class meets on Saturday mornings at 10:30, and I believe that it runs year-round, although it's much more popular in the summer. The park next to the pool has two nice playgrounds, one of which is tailored to toddlers.
Last updated: Aug 19, 2007
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