Around the country in independent/assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and senior day programs, elders are bonding with babies and toddlers through music-making, created by the international award-winning early childhood music program MUSIC TOGETHER®.
In Phoenix, AZ, one of the most successful Music Together Generations classes in the country is held each week at The TERRACES where residents as old as 100 join families with children newborn to kindergarten age in a Music Together class held on-site.
Kathy Rowe, Director of Music Together in Phoenix, explains, “This is a highlight of the week for many senior residents as well as the staff. Some participants simply light up when they come to class in ways the facility doesn’t see with any other activity. The combination of music and children is just magical. Each elder participates in their own way: Some grandfriends actively absorb the experience, clearly delighting in watching and listening; others love singing along, tapping their feet and shaking the instruments along with the families. And although most elders sing and dance from their chairs, some are even able to get up and boogie with us! The children and parents love it, too; it’s become an important weekly ritual and an invaluable part of their family’s life. There is an instant connection between elders and families that is incredible to witness. For many of the families as well as many of the elder participants, extended family live far away and so there is a kind of surrogate family created through the Music Together class. Music Together directors like myself are so proud to be bringing people together across generations in our communities. We are bringing back something essential that’s been lost: intergenerational music-making.”
Music is an essential part of being human. Support for music learning in early childhood can yield both life-long skill and enjoyment in music experiences. While Music Together’s core program serves families with children ages 0-5, it’s a natural extension of that core mission to include intergenerational class experiences where families attend class with elders at a senior day or residential facility. These special kinds of Music Together classes have been beloved now for years as more and more communities recognize the unique power of making music together across generations.
Early childhood music professional, Laurie Pfeiffer, adds, “Strangers or not, within minutes everyone is part of our music-making family in a Generations Class. The idea that music bonds people is never more obvious and meaningful than during the time we spend at The TERRACES.”
Music Together is an internationally recognized early childhood music and movement program for children birth through age seven. The Music Together curriculum was coauthored in 1987 by Kenneth K. Guilmartin (Founder/Director) and Rowan University Professor of Music Education Dr. Lili M. Levinowitz (Director of Research) and offers programs for families; schools; at-risk populations; and children with special needs, in over 2000 communities in more than 40 countries. The company is passionately committed to bringing children and their caregivers closer through shared music-making and helping people discover the joy—and educational value—of early music experiences.
Music Together in Phoenix has been nurturing families of young children with movement classes since 1999. Starting with one class in her living room, the center has grown to offering over 40 classes per week at 9 locations in Phoenix, Paradise Valley and Peoria, with three outreach locations and two In-School programs. “We have sung and danced with over 10,000 children! It is so amazing to hear stories from families who have used music throughout their days while raising their young children. Music can be a magic way to bond and grow together” says center director, Kathy Rowe.
For more information about classes at Music Together in Phoenix and to register, call 602-363-82002
or visit www.MusicTogetherInPhx.com