music & me

In my childhood, my father would occasionally drop a package of 500 white sheets of paper in my room for me to use for scribbling or drawing, Within a short time the whole floor was taken up with all my drawings in various stages of completion, crumpled and uncrumbled: simply a learning process.
In my adulthood, that free and easy process is honored in our music classes. Improvisation and experimentation allows music-making to become an indelible, vital part of us. In our music circle we have hundreds of instruments available, including large African wooded xylophones. Through our efforts their sounds and rhythms all contribute to our marvelous & unique sound environment. We dance too - our joy, our spirits simply take over, making us a new person each day. JOIN US! Marcia

Playful, exuberant music & me can be brought to school, rec center, library, organization or home for a 1-hour music circle for children and adults of all ages. We set up all the instruments and parachute for birthday parties or other celebrations. MUSIC! DANCE! WE SIMPLY HAVE FUN! Phone Marcia at 203-387-8390.

We invite you to enjoy the information and photos of our music & me program. Info regarding the Spring signup coming up: www.marciasmusiccenter.com

Nadine Nelson, mother of Soleil, took these wonderful photos of Hamden Monday class and Hamden Saturday class. Thank you, Nadine! The relaxed and beautiful music-making with friends and families is what we like!

kidHaven's Weekend Highlights, Feb 11-12

Reading, Art, Dance, and Music all go together. Look at these awesome multicultural books. They are not just for children of color. Our world is diverse and our kids know it. As we celebrate the globe in music, you can go to the library and take out some of these books and share their beauty at home while reading too!

An Awesome Multicultural Book List, Courtesy Of Reading Is Fundamental Reading Is Fundamental announces its list of 45 great hardcover, multicultural books for children of color.

Having fun in class with scarves. I think the parents like more than the kids!

Many of you ask what music I play in class. Here is one of our favorites. Putumayo Presents: Africa - Habib Koite "Wassiye" is surely one you want to add to your collection. What songs are you dancing to at home?

Putumayo Presents: Africa - Habib Koite "Wassiye" (Live) Video featuring "Wassiye" from the Putumayo World Music Africa compilation.

Increasingly enough, more attention is being drawn to the role of music in society and how it influences our children. In recent years, the marketplace has been flooded with innovative toys, videos, and a wide range of baby equipment that play popular nursery rhymes or classical music. Why? Sure, music is enjoyable and fun, but extensive research has shown lately that exposing children to music stimulates their overall intelligence and emotional development. Having children listen to different types of music also nurtures their self-esteem while encouraging creativity, self-confidence and curiosity. Read what Parents Magazine has to say about helping your toddler tune into music.

Helping Your Toddler Tune In to Music Encourage your little one to learn to sing -- and watch how quickly she picks up new skills.

Hundreds of small percussive instruments for small hands are scattered about - African drums and little drums, triangles & cymbals. shakers, castenets in the mix. The mellow notes of the large wooden amadinda xylophone in the center of the cirlce rise above all else with all its varying rhythms. We're singing familiar childhood songs. We're learning loud and soft, fast and slow, multiple rhythms. We're learning to look at each other and appreciate each other's contribution. In this wonderful mix, we do what we need to do in the moment while beginning to understand musical possibilities. We can only laugh and love what's going on: music-making and rhythm and melody and dance in its most alive sense, with a circle of little children and parents and teacher who dearly love their music class.

We will begin our 6-week summer classes soon for Parents & Children, Ages 6 mo - 5 yrs, with Open House in Hamden on Monday, June 20, 10AM, Woodbury, Wednesday, June 22, 10AM, and Middlebury, Friday, June 24, 10AM. Please come with your child to experience our spirited music circle classes.