Music Together of Davis offers three 10-week sessions each year (winter, spring and fall); a 6-week summer session may be offered some years.  Please note that we will not be offering a summer session in 2010.

WEEKLY 45-MINUTE CLASSES
Our weekly classes are 45 minutes in length. Drums and/or other instruments are available before class so everyone has a chance to play and get acclimated. We invite you to arrive up to 15 minutes before your scheduled start-time, so that you can begin class feeling relaxed; arriving early also may ease your child(ren)'s adjustment. If you are running late, consider singing our ritual "Hello Song" while on your way!

SMALL CLASS SIZE
Music Together^® classes in Davis normally include a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 12 registered children, accompanied by a parent or caregiver. Exceptions may be made in unusual circumstances, and make-ups may result in more than 12 on a given day.

MIXED-AGE FORMAT
The essential Music Together class is composed of mixed ages, from birth through 4 years and 11 months, accompanied by their parents or caregivers. Early childhood educators see tremendous value in mixed-age learning environments. While older children learn from being in a leadership role, younger children benefit from watching and imitating their older classmates; and such experiences promote social skills and self-esteem. Furthermore, children of the same age are not necessarily at the same stage of musical development, and the curriculum is designed to teach many levels of complexity at once.

BABIES CLASS
Music Together offers two options for babies. Babies 8 months and younger by the first day of class are welcome to attend a mixed-age class (either registered on their own, or free with an older sibling). Alternatively they may attend a "Babies Class," which is a one-semester introduction to Music Together. While creating a supportive community, the "Babies Class" experience provides intimate, quality time for caregivers and infants; and families are introduced to developmentally appropriate music activities that may be re-created at home.

3's, 4's & 5's CLASS
Preschool- and kindergarten-aged children -- especially those with prior Music Together experience -- may be ready for a class with their peers, involving more independent singing, improvisation, and dramatic play. (Except for babies 8 months and younger, only children in the specified age range may attend this class.)

MUSICAL PLAY
We create a community of families sharing songs, chants, movement, dance, and instrument play in a relaxed, playful, non-performance-oriented setting. Our focus is on supporting children in their process of exploration and discovery while not directing their behavior. Children are given the freedom to participate according to their developmental level and temperament; some simply watch and listen intently, quietly absorbing the class experience, while others play and experiment with their voices, bodies, and an exciting variety of instruments.

PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS AS MUSICAL ROLE MODELS
Central to our approach is that young children learn best from the powerful role model of parents/caregivers who are actively participating in music-making, regardless of their musical background. The more involved and enthusiastic you are during class (and at home!), the more comfortable and engaged your child will be.

INSTRUMENTS
We play drums, triangles, tambourines, resonator bells, shakers, rhythm sticks, and other percussion instruments. Scarves, balls, kitchen "instruments," and other props also enhance our musical play.

NINE DIFFERENT SONG COLLECTIONS
A new song collection is offered every semester for three years, after which the cycle repeats. Each collection features 25 to 30 arrangements of both original and traditional songs and chants, representing a wide variety of tonalities, meters, and cultural styles. We generally explore 10 to 12 songs each week.

ATTENDANCE & VISITORS
Additional adults who are involved in your child(ren)'s life are always welcome. Other children -- e.g., siblings, cousins, friends, etc. -- are welcome to visit on an occasional basis without charge (any child attending on a regular basis must be registered).

WHAT IF MY CHILD CANNOT SIT STILL FOR 45 MINUTES?
Children are encouraged to move about freely during class, and to participate according to their individual development and temperament. Wandering and exploring away from our immediate circle are totally fine, provided that the attending adult is supervising the child's safey.

WE'LL COME TO YOU . . .
Please contact us if you would like to set up a free sample class for your play group, parents' group, preschool, etc. We are available to bring the Music Together experience to your location (instruments included!). For more information, or to sign up for a free sample class, please contact Karen Crane: (530) 759-9624 or mtofdavis@comcast.net

Please note that classes will not meet on the following days during the Fall 2010 session:

Saturdays, 11/20 & 11/27 (Thanksgiving break in the Davis public schools)