Simple Gifts: Gracious Words from Music Together Families
“There is nothing quite like seeing pure joy on a child’s face, and that is what we
see in Libby anytime the [Music Together] music comes on.”
—Liz Belenis Slater, Davis, CA
“We were traveling in Mexico for a vacation, and while relaxing in the pool we
struck up a round of “Allee Galloo” from the Triangle collection. All of a sudden another 2-year-old and her dad spontaneously joined in as we all laughed. They
were enrolled in their class in Atlanta, Georgia. It was a great shared experience
and spoke to the national (and international) enjoyment of Music Together!”
—Valerie & Jason Wells, Manhasset, NY
“The most important aspect for me was that Music Together has helped me understand my children better and let me be more accepting to their personal way of learning. I have learned that it is okay to be quiet in class and just observe, it is okay to sit while others dance, it is okay to change the words to songs and make up your own words and act silly, and it is okay to use the drumming sticks as windshield wipers while everyone else uses them to play their drum. Yes, Music Together has let me give more freedom to my children to learn in their own individual way and at their pace, and as a consequence I’m able to love them more as they are and for who they are becoming. Thank you for this.”
—Nora Weiss, Rockville, MD
“As an elementary school teacher who was involved with my schools’ music
programs, I quickly saw that Music Together is an educationally and musically
sound program that is develop-mentally appropriate and tons of fun! Music
Together continually supports my daughter’s musical growth in a setting
that is non-threatening and uncompetitive, and she is flourishing!”
—Nicole Yablans, Glen Head, NY
“Between my two children I have probably participated in at least ten sessions
of Music Together. As you might expect, my children’s affinity for music and ability
to express music has been greatly enhanced. They now dance and sing with ease.
My oldest has moved onto playing the piano. What you might not expect is that
I also have grown musically. I grew up in a family that feared musical expression;
we were great music appreciaters, but when it came to personal expression of music,
I was brought up to believe that we had no abilities and to avoid expression of any singing or suffer ridicule. My first five classes I played it close to the vest, even wanting to quit sometimes, but my children loved the class and our teacher is awesome so I stuck with it despite some very painful classes. Now in what will
probably be my last session I can hear myself confidently singing! What happened?? If you think these classes are only for children, you are crazy. It has changed my life. I belong to a synagogue and I now find myself singing harmoniously with others
which makes my heart sing. It is a true blessing. Like a child, the learning
happened passively, just by listening to the music and participating in the classes. Thank you for this program that turned my children onto music and changed
me from musically challenged to musically expressive.”
—Neil Norton, Decatur, GA
“I have been going to Music Together here in France and plan to go back for several more terms…For Stella, Music Together has been a FAN-TAS-TIC experience. She is now 16 months old and loves and responds to music more than any child I’ve seen.
—Sonia Weyers, Grez-sur-Loing, France
As I was reflecting on the fact that our family is now just one semester shy of having experienced all nine of the Music Together collections, something occured to me. For me, one of the greatest gifts of Music Together has been learning so many new (to me) traditional children's or folk songs from other countries and cultures, especially the lullabies. I've absolutely loved expanding my repertoire of songs to sing to/with my children, and the fact that the girls are absorbing and learning these same songs.
—Keri Brown, Music Together Parent
Gracious Words from Music Together Teachers and Directors