Hello Moms,
My mother-in-law told me about something called the Orff music program she put her daughter in years ago. Apparently it's supposed to be a very good music program. Does anyone know if I can find this program in the Austin area? And if not, what kind of experience have you had with the Gymboree music program? My daughter is only 9 months old but I thought I'd ask for future reference. Thanks!
I don't know about the Orff program, but I highly recommend the Music Together program at Heartsong. CHeck out their website http://www.heartsongmusictogether.com/ I started when my son was 2 months old and it has been awesome!!
I teach at a Montessori School (3 through 10) and we have a Music Together Certification. I highly recommend the program!
We got to the Armstrong Music School at the Austin Lyric Opera downtown. It's great for the little ones. My son started when he was about a year old. Each class has kids that range from infants to preschool. It's cool because the younger ones learn from seeing what the older kids do.
I am a Kindergarten teacher. I took some Orff training when I lived in the Bay Area. The closest thing to that program would be Music Together which is taught at Armstrong Music School and other places in Austin. I believe that is what the last two postings are talking about even though they did not mention the name of the program. Music Together is designed for infants through preschoolers, and I highly recommend it. My daughter went when she was that age and she loved it.
We own a preschool and this and the other program noted are ones I hear good feedback from our parents regarding their child's experience. You can get some other ideas at our website, as we incorporate music & movement into our toddler curriculum
http://www.goddardschool.com/documents/LearningDomains.pdf
Hey There,
The Orff method is a philosophy of early childhood music instruction based on rhythm, movement, repetition, the use of percussion instruments, play....basically a way of engaging and aiding development in small children through music. It was developed by Karl Orff, the composer of "Carmina Burana". If you don't recognize it by name, you've probably heard it in about a hundred scary movies.
Most "Mommy & Me" classes will use elements of Orff as well as other well known philosophies such as Kodaly (Zoltan Kodaly, another composer/educator).
Can I suggest Lone Star School of Music in SW Austin. We've got a Parent/preschooler class called Little Rock n Rollers.
Feel free to check it out at www.lonestarschoolofmusic.com or give us a call at ###-###-####.
Good Luck.
Thanks.
We did gymboree classes, starting when my daughter was 10 months until 20 months. I really liked it (she now has great climbing and coordiantion--maybe it helped, or maybe she inherited it?). But worth mentioning that we did the regular weekend class and the weekend art class. The music class was only offered on week days and I couldn't swing it with my work... Gymboree should let you have a freebie to try the class out. Just call them and ask to be put on the reservation list so you can try the music class you're considering.
Also, just to mention this: At your daughter's age, her brain is focused on wiring itself for gross and fine motor skills (balance, climbing, aim, moving opposite arms and legs simultaneously). I understand that you asked about the music class specifically, however there is a component of music in the regular gymboree class if you also want to incorporate motor skill development too. If you find that your daughter is losing interest in the music class... as in, she won't sit still, wants to go climb on the structures, etc., then it should be fairly easy to transfer whatever you paid for the music class to the motor skill class, and vise-versa.
Hi L.! I have tried Heartsong Music with my son off Anderson Lane and enjoyed it. My friend has been going since her son was nearly ~6 months old. Hope you enjoy!
