Participants who successfully complete the training will be eligible to teach Music Together parent-child or preschool classes. The flexibility of challenging part-time work with young children and parents appeals to musicians, actors, dancers, parents and educators. A formal academic degree is not required. Included in the workshop on each day will be live early childhood music demonstration classes, teaching children and their parents using the Music Together curriculum.

The cost of the three-day workshop is $475, or $425 if registration is completed by Feb. 1. Graduate Credits, CMTE Credits, and CEUs are available for completion of the teacher training. For additional information about the workshop or to register, visit the Music Together website, or contact Lisa Chouteau at (800) 728-2692 x329 or lchouteau@musictogether.com.

Since 1987, Kenneth K. Guilmartin, Founder/Director of Music Together LLC and coauthor of  Music Together, has been a pioneer in teaching parents and caregivers how to nurture their children’s musical growth. Recent research shows that children’s innate ability to make music is strongly supported as children observe the adults with whom they have an emotional bond actively engaging in making music. This is possible regardless of the adult’s own musical ability. Music making is fun and engaging for children, parents and teachers, and contributes to the development of language and other intelligences, including spatial and mathematical.

The Music Together approach to early childhood music is taught worldwide at more than 50 teacher trainings per year. Licensed Music Together teachers currently teach children in parent-child and preschool classes in approximately 2,000 communities in 49 states and over 20 foreign countries. In addition, many teachers trained by Music Together apply the curriculum and philosophy in preschools and childcare centers. For more information, visit www.musictogether.com.

Music Together® instructor Tracy Weirich leads children in an activity during a recent music class in Elkhart.

The Goshen College Music Center is offering a new term of Music Together® classes in various locations in Elkhart and Goshen beginning in early January 2013 in an effort to bring the joy of singing and music learning to children.

Music Together® is a research-based method for developing basic music competence in children. It accomplishes this through singing and movement to songs and chants, drawing on a wide variety of cultures and styles. In Music Together®, children attend a weekly 45-minute class with a parent, grandparent or other caregiver, and receive a songbook and professional CD for home listening. Classes are taught by a trained professional and take place in various locations throughout Elkhart County.

Music Together® classes will be held at the following locations in Elkhart County beginning the week of Jan. 7, 2013:

• Greencroft Retirement Center, Evergreen Place (Goshen)
• Goshen College Music Center (Goshen)
• LifeCenter/First United Methodist Church (Goshen)
• Chamberlain Elementary School (Goshen)
• Waterford Crossing Senior Village (Goshen)
• Prairie Street Mennonite Church (Elkhart)

Tuition for the ten-week course is $150 for the first child. Siblings may attend for an additional $20 per child. Included are a new songbook and CD and all class sessions. Patrons are encouraged to register as soon as possible to ensure enrollment in your preferred class.

Need-based scholarships are available to any family whose income qualifies them for free or reduced lunch in the Federal Free or Reduced Lunch program. The Music Center is committed to making this program available to every family who would like to participate.

To register, or for additional information, including specific class schedules and locations, please contact the Music Center Office at (574) 535-7361 or visit the GC Music Center website.

A parent and baby participate in a Music Together class during summer 2012.
Photo by Alex Pletcher ’15

The Goshen College Music Center is now accepting registrations for its Music Together® classes, which will begin in mid-September. Classes are for children from birth to age 5 and their caregiver, and are held in Elkhart and Goshen.

Music Together® is a research-based curriculum of music and movement that is fun and educational for both children and caregivers. Trained professionals facilitate activities for learning through use of singing and movement to songs and chants from a wide variety of cultures and styles. In Music Together®, children attend a weekly 45-minute class with a parent, grandparent or other caregiver, and receive a songbook and professional CD for home listening.

Music Together® classes will be held at the following locations in Elkhart County beginning the week of September 17:

•       Greencroft Retirement Center, Evergreen Place (Goshen)
•       Goshen College Music Center (Goshen)
•       LifeCenter/First United Methodist Church (Goshen)
•       Chamberlain Elementary School (Goshen)
•       Waterford Crossing Senior Village (Goshen)
•       Prairie Street Mennonite Church (Elkhart)

Tuition for the ten-week course is $150 for the first child. Siblings may attend for an additional $20 per child. Need-based scholarships are available to any family whose income qualifies them for free or reduced lunch in the Federal Free or Reduced School Lunch program.

Families are encouraged to register as soon as possible to ensure enrollment in your preferred class. To register or for additional information, including specific class schedules and locations, please contact the Music Center office at (574) 535-7361 or visit www.gcmusiccenter.org.