Uncle Gerry leading a concert in Connecticut

In celebration of our 25th Anniversary, we sent Music Together recording artist "Uncle Gerry" Dignan on tour! Since September 2012, Uncle Gerry has visited over thirty communities to lead celebratory concerts, including an international stop in County Cork, Ireland. Many directors chose to commemorate our anniversary by raising money for various charitable causes.  

Visit www.MusicTogether.com/UncleGerry for lots of pictures and a list of charitable partners. Special thanks to Gerry for celebrating with us this year!  

Looking for a fun way to get your entire family involved in music time---including your pets? The most fun part of "The Sad Little Puppy," included in this summer's collection, is the howling. Try singing the song to your dog (perhaps on barks?) and be sure to howl with gusto at that part of the song. Your dog may join you---and your child is sure to love it either way! This silliness has real value, too: Vocal play like howling helps you and your children get up into your high voices and explore all parts of your range.

Visit our Facebook Page for a short video example recorded by one of our center directors and her adorable puppy. Share your own video there, too!  

In Nurture Shock: New Thinking about Children, Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman investigate the science of parenting. In ten chapters, the authors explore why many conventional child-rearing strategies are "backfiring." They suggest this is mainly because parents lack an understanding of important findings in the fields of social science and child development, some of which may be counterintuitive.  

One chapter, "Why Hannah Talks and Allysa Doesn't," focuses on language development. In the review, some of the techniques discussed in Nurture Shock's chapter on language development are translated to actions parents may use to foster their children's music development.

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by Kate Battenfeld

In celebration of twenty-five years of making music, Music Together centers across the globe held joyful events this year, singing favorite songs and sharing musical memories. As we near the end of our celebration, we pause to reflect on our growth and our ever-evolving understanding of the importance of music development for all children. From the early days of tapes and mimeographed song sheets, to the digital world we now live in, we've never wavered in our commitment to bring families together in live music-making.

Ken Guilmartin and Lili Levinowitz teaching a class in 1988

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I still remember how nervous I felt on my son's first day of preschool as I waved good-bye to him at the door of Noah's Ark Preschool. I worried if my spirited three-year-old would sit still long enough, follow directions, or exercise impulse control when a classmate knocked down his blocks. I know my anxiety was mirrored in him, too. He wondered if he would have to eat the snack the school made, listen to this new teacher, and---most frightening of all---if Mommy would come back for him. If you are preparing to send your little one off to preschool or kindergarten this fall, I am sure you understand these feelings!

Happily, here's a special Music Together song, appropriately titled "They Come Back," to help children deal with the anxiety they might experience when transitioning from home to another setting (like school). Over the years, the song has been a useful tool for many families. If you think your child may be feeling nervous about going back to or starting school this fall, we invite you to download "They Come Back" here.

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To experience one of Dorothy Sikora's facilitated drum circles is rather like participating in one huge Music Together play-along---it's joyful, cathartic, and improvisational. As a drumming leader, Dorothy captivates and encourages people of all ages to let go of inhibitions and simply play with music and rhythm. Given Dorothy's affinity for active music-making, it's no wonder that, years ago, she found a home with Music Together.

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"Pure fun!" -Parents' Choice Awards Program 

"A truly fabulous CD!" -Tilliwig Awards Program

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