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The following was submitted by the Winchester Community Music School:
Around the country in independent/assisted living facilities and senior day programs, older adults are bonding with babies, toddlers and young parents through music-making, in Generations classes created by the international award-winning early childhood music program MUSIC TOGETHER®
In partnership with Winchester Community Music School, a new Music Together Generations class is beginning on Sept. 28 at The Gables, 299 Cambridge St., from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m.
Resident “Grandfriends” at The Gables will join families with children newborn to kindergarten age in a Music Together class held on-site for the eight-week sessions.
For participants across the country, this program is a highlight of the week for senior community residents as well as for families. Some Grandfriends simply light up when they come to class; the combination of music and children is just magical. The children and parents love it, too — it becomes an important weekly ritual and an invaluable part of their family’s life.
Many of the participating families and Grandfriends don’t have family nearby so there is a kind of surrogate experience created through the Music Together class. The program brings back something essential that’s been lost: intergenerational music-making.
Support for music learning in early childhood can yield both life-long skill and enjoyment in music experiences. While Music Together’s core program serves families with children ages 0-5, it’s a natural extension of that core mission to include intergenerational class experiences where families attend class with elders at a senior day or residential facility.
Music Together is an internationally recognized early childhood music and movement program for children birth through age 7. The Music Together curriculum was coauthored in 1987 by Kenneth K. Guilmartin (Founder/Director) and Rowan University Professor of Music Education Dr. Lili M. Levinowitz (Director of Research) and offers programs for families; schools; at-risk populations; and children with special needs, in over 2000 communities in more than 40 countries.
The company is passionately committed to bringing children and their caregivers closer through shared music-making and helping people discover the joy — and educational value — of early music experiences.
The mission of Winchester Community Music School, a local non-profit organization, is to provide outstanding and diverse musical education and performances, accessible to all, in Winchester, neighboring communities, and beyond. WCMS offers private lessons, group classes, and ensembles to over 900 students of all ages, as well as over 125 free or low-cost community events throughout the year.
For more information about the Music Together Generations program or to register, call Winchester Community Music School at 781-721-2950 or visit www.winchestermusic.org.
