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Disclosure: This is a sponsored post as I was invited to attend MusicClasses4Kids. All opinions expressed here are my own. —
**Highly Recommend
(A) has been attending MusicClasses4Kids for the past two years now. We began when he was about a year old. We love these classes. My husband (D) is a bass player who took music lessons as a child and has played in bands for many years. When we went shopping for a music class we had to find one that not only had music, motion, and instrument play; we wanted more.
Enter Mark and Gail Pent. Affectionately known as MisterMusikMark and KupKake during class, the two have created a class that is not only fun but super educational. Classes cost $219 a season (there are four), and a one-time administrative fee of $15 per family. This cost includes not only the classes, but a CD of the songs and a lyric book as well. There are also two holiday classes during the winter which cost $35 each. They hold trial classes that cost $15 which is applied to your tuition when you sign up (I say “when” because you will love their product) for anyone who would like to try them before each season starts. The classes are mixed age classes of children ages 0 to 6 years. You can also make up classes if you miss one.
A typical class begins with a “Hello” song where each child and accompanying adult is acknowledged and gets to say hello to the class. Then there are songs that include movement and rhythm. During these songs they have a special portion of each class that they dedicate to the beginnings of music theory. Theory? you may ask. Yes theory. They teach a series of “ta’s” and “t-t-ta’s”, rhythm counting, which become the building blocks of music. They illustrate these “notes” using Popsicle sticks which is great because they actually show you what quarter and eighth notes look like. They also teach about the layers of music discussing “low, middle, high” and which instruments in an orchestra or band fill each layer. My son can even tell you what “forte” means. After that there is more music and motion, and a free form “Jam” session that the kids and parents get to play different percussion instruments. The culminating experience to each class is their incorporation of literature. The students all gather around Musikmark and KupKake and they read a book which corresponds to a song that the kids learn throughout the season.
This class is fun, energetic, kids and parents really enjoy it. In addition to being fun, I know that (A) and now (E) are getting the building blocks that they will need for their future in music. Most of the families that are there are repeat attendees who have had children go through the program before, and usually children attend the program until the “age-out” at 5. That is a testimonial to how much people enjoy these classes. A++++
Early on in class, each student is acknowledged and gets to say “hello” in song.
KupKake and MisterMusikMark get “down” with the class.
KupKake works with a young student.
Music theory begins with rhythm counting and the introduction of different instruments to the class. MisterMusikMark pulls items from his “black bag” to introduce to the class.
Marching around the alphabet. Some of the marching that the class does in order to learn rhythm through feeling.
For more information check out their website at http://musicclasses4kids.com/
Have a children’s class or program you would like me to spotlight? Contact me at rocklandnymom@yahoo.com.
