Frequently Asked Questions
|
| Age Group |
Class
Name |
Timing | Length |
| Birth
- 4 yrs caregiver attends |
FAMILY
MUSIC |
Wed
10:00 |
30
min |
| 2.5 - 5
yrs caregiver attends |
CYCLE OF
SEASONS |
Tues 1:20 |
40 min |
| 4 - 6 yrs |
MUSIC
MAKERS AROUND THE WORLD |
Tues 4:00 | 60 min |
| 6 - 9 yrs |
MUSIC
MAKERS AT THE KEYBOARD |
Tues 5:20 |
70 min |
- If your child is younger than 3 years, you may choose Family Music.
- If your child is 3-4 years, choose Family Music or Cycle of Seasons.
- If your child is 5 and has never participated in Musikgarten, consider Cycle of Seasons or Music Makers Around the World.
- If your child is 4-5 and participated in Cycle of Seasons last year, either choose Cycle of Seasons or Music Makers At Home (coming next year!).
- If your child is 6 and has never participated in Musikgarten, you may enroll in Music Makers Around the World, or possibly Music Makers at the Keyboard.
- If your child is 7 or older, enroll in Music
Makers at the Keyboard.
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How old should my child be before starting your classes?
You can bring your newborn to the Family Music class. Babies are never too young to start participating in music-making. Some teachers even encourage mothers to attend class while their babies are in utero!back to top
Am I required to get the home materials?
Yes. The home materials are included as part of your registration fee and include high-quality recordings and printed materials designed specifically for children and their families to grow as musicians. Most families already own many children's music recordings. This one, however, is likely rather different from any you already own. You will love them! They are an integral part of the Musikgarten program and essential for your family to get the most out of their experience. If you already have the materials from a previous class, please let me know and I will discount the registration fee accordingly.back to top
Will my child learn to play an instrument in your class?
The most important instrument your child will learn to "play" in the Musikgarten classes is herself! I believe that if a child can learn to make music with his voice, hear music and rhythm in his head, make rhythm with her feet and hands, and paint dynamics with his body, then the music will easily transfer from the child to the instrument when he/she is ready. Having said that, we will also use various percussion instruments in class to build rhythm, tonal, and ensemble skills--all in preparation for more formal instrument training later. The Keyboard class will make music using a keyboard, but will continue making music in a variety of ways as well. By all accounts, private music teachers love to receive Musikgarten "graduates" into their studios because they come ready-made for the music!back to top
Do I need to attend the class with my child?
The Family Music class (Birth to 4 years) and Cycle of Seasons class (3 to 5 years) require a parent or caregiver to attend the entire class with the child to experience the music and enable the parent/caregiver to reinforce concepts and music at home. The other classes require the parent to attend only the last 10-15 minutes of the class to review and celebrate the learning with the children. Please make it a priority to attend these last few minutes as they are crucial to the success of the classes for your family.back to top
How can I learn more about your program?
Check out all the links on my website, including the www.musikgarten.org link. Beyond that, nothing will teach you more about my program than attending a free introductory class. Once the semester begins, I always offer one free class for potential new students, provided that space is available in the class. You may also learn more about my program by attending one of the parent meetings usually held at the beginning of each new semester. Please contact me for details.back to top
What should we do to practice at home?
Make music!I encourage all families to listen to their CD's and play with the music at home as often as possible! Try taking the CD along in the car with your other materials and explore the rich content there. Your children may enjoy having a special music time with you every day or every other day to listen, sing, dance, play instruments, and enjoy each other. Some families report great success with making dinner time music time, or using bedtime as music time.
Our Music Makers students are learning sequential concepts that need to be reinforced at home each week. Simple assignments will be given for these students during the parent time at the end of each class. These assignments will include listening, writing/reading, and/or playing assignments.
One word of caution: Some experts recommend that parents avoid playing music all the time at home as background music to whatever else is going on. Be sure to take time to focus on the music itself, talking about what you hear, and following the suggestions in your parent guide to extend the activities from class. There is no defined requirement for at-home work, but the more you can enjoy music at home and sing together as a family, the more you will benefit from Musikgarten.
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What
if I can't
sing? Should I sing along with the group during class and sing to my
child at home?
Of course! The important thing is that your child
sees that you enjoy
music and want to share it with her. You likely don't sing as badly as
you think, and singing more can only improve your abilities.back to top
Will you open more classes if your classes fill up?
I don't plan to open any extra classes this semester. If enrollment is high in some classes and low in others, I may cancel a class and add another class where there is higher enrollment. If you are interested in being notified of future classes, please contact me.back to top
My child doesn't speak English very well. Will she/he do okay in the class?
Music is an excellent way for your child to improve his English, and one of the curriculum goals for the classes is to encourage children to verbalize their thoughts and improve their language and expression. Because we often "act out" stories and songs, your child should have no problem keeping up in class. Listening to and practicing the music at home with help improve her English skills and enhance her experience in class as well.back to top
What is the schedule of the classes? When are the holidays?
You can view all the details of class times, semester dates, and holidays here.back to top
Class Descriptions
What is Musikgarten?
2008-09 Registration Form
2008-09 Calendar
Current Newsletter
All About Merinda
Frequently Asked Questions
Photos (coming soon!)
| Merinda's
Garden
of
Music Blockhouse Creek, Leander, TX |
289-2010/259-4525
|