WELCOME to the spring 2010 semester of Music Together^®. We are looking forward to sharing the Tambourine Collection with you and your child. The following information should be helpful in answering many frequently asked questions; please take a few moments to read it over and then save for future reference. The semester will run ten weeks; please refer to the classes page for class schedules.

PARTICIPATION: In class it is very important for the adults to participate! The children learn their attitudes and motivations from you, and you can help them become enthusiastic music-makers just by enjoying the class and participating fully. You will be an excellent model regardless of your musical ability. Just relax and have fun.

YOUR CHILD: The most basic rule of thumb is to let the children be free to explore, to play, to discover. Children have the amazing ability to teach themselves through play; ability we don’t want to disrupt by giving too much direction. Allow your child to experience the class in his or her own unique way- whether that’s by moving constantly, sitting and staring, tasting, rather than playing the instruments, etc. Each child is busily processing the musical information, even if that’s not apparent during class activities. Trust this process, relax and let your child be, and you will begin to see new musical behaviors emerging as the semester progresses.

TIMELINESS: Classes begin and end on time. It is so important for you to be prompt. It’s often very difficult for a child to enter a class already in session. Please make a point to be here for the Hello Song, so your child feels properly welcomed.

MAKE-UPS: Up to two make-ups per registered child are permitted during each session. Click on the Schedule a Make-Up link under Registered Families on our home page and type in the code MTCS10 to access the site. Scheduling make-ups is fast and easy, and you’ll get a reminder via e-mail!  Make-ups are first-come, first-served, and space is limited.  If you are making up a class with more than one child, please register each child separately (exception: auditing infants). 

SING, DON’T TALK: Although Music Together uses an informal teaching approach; this does not mean that we’re casual. We especially request that the adults maintain focus and avoid talking during or between class activities. During class activities your active participation is vital. The time in between activities is a time to listen, for often a child will spontaneously sing into the silence. Talking will only distract your child from the musical experience we are so eagerly creating.

FOOD & TOYS: We want to aim at keeping our 45 minutes together as musical as possible. Try to leave toys in the stroller, or car. If your child needs juice or a snack, please take them out of the circle, to avoid inspiring other young snackers. Nursing your baby is totally welcome- an especially good time for this is during our lullaby before the end of class.

GUEST POLICY: There is never any charge for visiting adults, so bring the grandparents! Young siblings or cousins may attend once free of charge; thereafter there is a $15 guest fee per child per visit, due on or before the day the child attends the class. The guest fee always applies to visiting children who are non-family members. Please notify the teacher, in advance, of a guests visit to make sure there is space available.  All money received from guest fees goes into a scholarship fund.

INCLEMENT WEATHER: All locations except Chesapeake Beach will follow the weather closings for Anne Arundel County Schools.  Classes at NECC will follow the weather related closings for Calvert County.  If schools are closed due to bad weather, there will be no class. If schools are delayed however, classes will be held as scheduled. You may also register with Schools Out to receive e-mail messages relating to school closings in your county.  http://www.schoolsout.com/ Every effort will be made to make up classes canceled due to weather or teacher illness.

OTHER CONCERNS: We desire your experience with Music Together to be both fun and enriching. Please communicate with your teacher should any problems or concerns arise. Your feedback is invaluable to our program. To reach your teacher or the director, please email office@mtchesapeake.com and put your teacher's name or director in the subject line.  Your message will then be forwarded to the correct person.