About Family Music Makers
Family Music Makers offers a rich and nurturing music environment in which every child can develop the ability to sing in tune and keep a steady beat. The purpose of the class is to function as a “music discovery room” as we show them what music sounds like, looks like and feels like. Very young children learn through imitation and creative play and they imitate those people most important to them-parents, nannies, and other family members. Our classes not only provide the repertoire, but also show parents ways to use this music at home.
The Format
There is an accompanying CD for families to take home. Each collection of music exposes families to a wide range of musical genres and styles as well as fresh renditions of traditional children’s tunes. Each class is carefully planned to incorporate:
The Format
There is an accompanying CD for families to take home. Each collection of music exposes families to a wide range of musical genres and styles as well as fresh renditions of traditional children’s tunes. Each class is carefully planned to incorporate:
- Ritual songs that become a familiar part of every child’s routine.(Hello Song, Goodbye Song, Back-They-Go)
- Songs sung by children and are written from a child’s point of view.
- Original songs only available on our CD collections!
- Introduction to a wide range of musical styles and genres from our own collections as well as supplemental material from the top original artists and musicians from each genre through our traditional class “jam sessions!”
FMM repertoire (of over 200 songs) features:
- Original songs based on life from a child’s point of view
- Traditional songs that help to keep our musical heritage alive
- Familiar songs with a new musical twist
- Music styles and genres from around the world
- Over 40 fabulous local musicians who contributed to our recordings so we could achieve authentic sounding arrangements, true to each genre
- Learn basic dance steps to a variety of styles to support different musical genres and themes: Salsa, Tango, Calypso, Belly Dancing, Ballet, Swing, and Country Line-dance just to name a few!
- Fun exercises that incorporate basic musical concepts like dynamics (soft and loud), tempo (fast and slow), and pitch (high and low).
Philosophy
A core value of FMM is that it is a FAMILY centered program. Participation of the adult, and not the child is the key. FMM draws from the following:
A core value of FMM is that it is a FAMILY centered program. Participation of the adult, and not the child is the key. FMM draws from the following:
- Suzuki approach (family involvement, social learning)
- Dalcroze Eurythmics (using the body to internalize the beat)
- Dr. Edwin Gordon (the process of audiation with tonal and rhythm patterns)