As a parent, what is expected of me in class?

Sing, dance, and have fun! You might be surprised to hear that you are your child's most important music teacher right now—and it doesn't matter whether you think of yourself a great singer or dancer. Young children develop dispositions for certain behaviors, including learning to love music, by observing and imitating their loved ones. Simply by participating enthusiastically during class and playing with the ideas at home, you'll give your children the modeling they need to learn to love to make music.

During class, please do not socialize with other parents or use your cell phone. Instead, use the class time to focus on making music with your child, and help us create a music-centric environment for your children.

What's expected of my child in class?

At Music Together^®, children are never required to sit in the circle or expected to conform to an adult's idea of participation. We know that children learn differently from adults. They learn instinctively and constantly, through observation, interactions with adults and older children, and through imitation, play, and, especially, movement. One hallmark of Music Together is the insight that children will naturally develop music ability simply when they are immersed in a community of families all making music.

Children's responses depend on their most dominant learning style and temperament as well as their age and developmental level. Some might follow the teacher right away. Many will simply want to watch and absorb, particularly in the first few weeks of class. Some might crawl or toddle around; others are stimulated by the music and respond more actively, running, jumping, or dancing. All are perfectly natural responses to the new, musically rich environment. Throughout the semester, your teacher will help you tune in to how your child learns best so you can support their music development in class and at home. Feel free to ask if you have questions!

How should we use the Music Together^® materials?

Play your songs at home and in the car frequently, especially during the first few weeks of class. Make it available to the music available for your child to listen to while she is playing or before nap or bedtime. Create your Family Music Zone^®® account and download the Hello Everybody app for digital versions of the songs and more activity ideas to try!

Use the songbook to help you learn the songs and get new ideas for musical ideas to use at home. The music notation is in the book if you play an instrument and want to play along. Try using the songbook at storytime instead of a regular book and sing through the songs as you go along.

What is the class size?

Class sizes can vary between locations, but generally classes have around 10-14 children, plus their caregiver(s).

What if I miss a class during the semester?

We offer unlimited makeup classes during each semester session. Please visit our Make Up Classes page to learn more. Unless prior arrangments have been made, classes must be made up during the current session, and they cannot be made up in a future session.

Can I switch to a different class?

Requests for class changes must be initiated within the first two weeks of the semester. Depending on class availability, changes are made at the discretion of the center director.

What if I need to drop out of a class?

Full payment for the session is due a week before the first day of class, unless alternate payment arrangements have been made. You will receive a full tuition refund if you request to drop out of a class a week before your first day of the session. If you request to drop out within a week of class starting, you will receive a full tuition refund minus a $25 processing fee.

No tuition refunds are given for class withdrawals after the session begins. We understand that sometimes unexpected things happen. However, please know that non-attendance does not constitute withdrawal from a class. We are not able to offer tuition refunds unless we are informed of your intent to withdraw before the session begins. If you withdraw after your first class of the session, tuition credit is offered towards a future session.

What if I start classes after the semester begins?

Musical Beginnings welcomes families to join in at any point during the first half of our semesters. Depending on the situation, we sometimes prorate for classes missed due to late registration, although families are encouraged to make up class(es) during the semester.

Are there health guidelines for classes?

Yes. You can read about them here: Health Guidelines

Can we eat in class?

No food or drink may be brought into the classrooms. However, if you need to nurse or bottle-feed your infant during class, you may do so.

Will classes be cancelled in inclement weather?

Parents will be contacted via email and/or text in regard to weather cancellations. Please check our website homepage or our Facebook page for announcements regarding weather cancellations. Generally speaking, if the schools are cancelling classes due to weather, we'll be cancelled, too.

Can I bring a guest or an unregistered older sibling to class?

It is natural to want to bring guests or older siblings with you to class. Please prearrange with Teacher Emily to ensure adequate space in the class. A drop-in fee of $10 per child (paid in cash at the time of the class) is required. If you have missed a class, you can use the drop-in class as a make up class iin lieu of the $10 fee.

Is it OK for more than one adult to come to class?

Yes, additional parents, grandparents, or caregivers are always welcome to attend class. However, please prearrange with Teacher Emily to ensure adaquate space in the class.

Why aren't there classes for specific age groups?

Classes with children of different ages have intellectual and social benefits for both younger and older children. In fact, it's the learning environment recommended by many early childhood researchers. Older children learn empathy and awareness of others, while developing leadership qualities and gaining self-confidence. Younger children learn by imitating the older ones and often show more complex behaviors earlier than usual. Even babies benefit by being in an environment that gives them lots of opportunities to observe the behavior of children of varying ages. Plus, it allows everyone—siblings, parents, grandparents, caregivers—to share in the musical experience together!

What happens after we complete a semester?

A different song collection is used each semester - there are nine different song collections - so when you re-register, you can look forward to expanding your repertoire with a variety of new songs and chants. The Music Together curriculum is designed so that families can continue classes for three years before revisiting a song collection. In three years, you and your child will learn over 375 songs! If you continue in the program beyond three years (and we hope you will!), your child will experience his or her first song collections in a brand new way. Read more about the Music Together Curriculum.