Every day, thousands of children, families, and teachers sing the Music Together® “Hello Song” to kick off their music classes. And, thanks to the hard work of our licensees, this includes many children enrolled in early learning programs in underserved communities throughout the US.
In Sagadahoc, Lincoln, and Northern Cumberland counties in Maine, Music Together has been part of Early Head Start (EHS) and Head Start (HS) classrooms for over a decade. We recently sat down with licensee Molly Tinker, who is currently managing the program, to hear about the impact of Music Together on the young children in these classrooms.
Music Together® at Head Start Programs in Maine
Classes have been a part of Head Start in these Maine counties for about twelve years, starting in the mid-2010s, when Molly’s mother, Elna Joseph, was working as a mental health consultant for Head Start. She knew that music would be an ideal way to support the children’s well-being, build a sense of community, and strengthen teacher/student relationships. So, she took the Music Together Teacher Training and brought the Music Together In School curriculum into the EHS/HS classrooms. Elna kept the music classes going there for a few years until she retired.
In the years since, the administration of the program passed first to local Music Together licensee Sharyn Pyne, and then to Molly. Since Molly took over in 2024, the Music Together program has grown from serving 70 families to 120 families and is now taught in 15 of the 18 Head Start classrooms. Molly says, “It’s the best thing I’ve ever done.”
Why Music Together® is important in schools
In her time spent working in Head Start classrooms, Molly has worked with children and families from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, including children with developmental differences, multilingual learners, and families navigating housing or financial instability. She’s deeply grateful for the support Head Start provides and proud to bring Music Together to these students.
“In addition to quality music education, I think what really shines are the mental, emotional, and social benefits of Music Together. I’ve seen kids encourage others to sing along or to try an instrument or specific movement. It’s amazing (and adorable!) to see them become each other’s cheerleaders and biggest fans.” She goes on to say, “Music is like a reset button. It can bring the kiddos together, calm everybody down, and lift everybody up.”
The benefits of Music Together® for classroom teachers
Just as important, teachers benefit from Music Together classes, too. Molly has seen firsthand how music can shift the tone of a classroom, helping children feel more regulated, focused, and ready to learn. That can lead to smoother transitions, greater engagement, and a calmer classroom environment overall.
When teachers join in—singing, moving, and being playful alongside the children—they often grow more confident in their own musical abilities, even if they don’t have a formal music background. And because the Music Together songs are thoughtfully arranged, engaging, and genuinely enjoyable, the experience doesn’t feel like just another classroom task. In fact, Molly says teachers often tell her things like, “I put that music on for myself in the car the other day,” or “We listen to it at home with my own kids all the time.”
Music supports family engagement
Family involvement is an important part of the Music Together approach, helping children continue the music-making and learning beyond the classroom. Molly knows that building a connection with families can take time, especially in a busy school community where parents are juggling work, schedules, and many other responsibilities.
To help make participation easier and more accessible, she works closely with classroom teachers to send home the songbooks and informational materials, encouraging families to explore the music at home. Near the end of the school year, families are invited into the classroom for a special music-making celebration.
Over time, Molly has seen how meaningful that family engagement can become. Some children in the program first experienced Music Together as infants and are now in preschool. Molly has found that those families are especially likely to stay engaged with the music at home . . . often because the children themselves ask to listen and sing along!
The power of music in building school community
Molly loves how the Music Together In School program brings the community together as a whole. “Singing the ‘Hello Song’ is such a comforting ritual, both for the children and their teachers.” At the school, teachers often provide coverage in other classrooms, and because the program is universal, the teachers can jump right in making music with the kids.
“Even other staff members have become familiar with the Music Together songs. The therapists coming in to work with the kids, the admins, and even the lunch ladies will stop and join in the dance or song for a few minutes before carrying on with their duties. I think all the faculty and staff see the benefits of music, and it really feels like I have the support of the whole school.”
Thank you, Molly for continuing the legacy of Music Together In School in this Head Start program, and for you dedication to the power of music.
Whether you are running a daycare or preschool, an arts organization or licensed Music Together center, or are a trained Music Together teacher, we hope you, too, can find a way to bring music into YOUR local school community. As you’ve heard from Molly, it’s a powerful thing to support young children through music.