Tell a Friend! Both you and your friends are eligible!

We’ve learned that full camps offer the best experience for children, so share this with your friends and us spread the word!

Summer camps are a great opportunity to introduce new students to TCSOM who may be considering signing up for classes next fall.

Check out the camps and schedule here to find your favorites!  Register online today!

The story of Heal is unique to Midland.  It was originally conceived and written by local musician, Bill Moneypenney and Tim Boychuck in 1992.   It was never performed until friends encouraged Tim to bring it to stage.  And, for the first time, in 2011, in 2001, just 6 days post the 9/11 tragedy, our community enjoyed this fabulous performance written, produced, and performed all by talented Midland-area musicians.  It was performed again 1 year later, in the Fall of 2002, and shelved… until now.

Heal is about … a dog.  The lyrics parallel similar roles, functions, and living conditions of man.  “But the difference between man and dog is relatively simple.  Man can control his condition, where a dog can’t.  In order to survive a dog will instinctively come to understand who his master is.  In that relationship, a dog will HEEL.  Man, on the other hand, can reason.  Man can cognate.  He can change his environment.  Through his decisions, he can change his condition.  For us, coming to our master is a much more intellectual pursuit.  If we choose to hear our master call us, love, we too will HEAL.”

Heal Revisited is pleased to have made a donation from all ticket sales to the Midland Human Society.

The Timothy Hyde Project; Miss Georgia, Center on Couch

Dress Rehearsal

Vocalists at Rehearsal: Miss Georgia on Left

Dress Rehearsal: Miss Georgia on Couch

Image compliments of Earth-Day-Celebration.Blogspot.com

We think Earth Day rocks!  So, we went searching for a little inspiration to share with our students, families, and readers.

And… We found some wonderful ideas to teach children to appreciate the environment and music at the same time on the blog Let’s Lasso the Moon.

Author and mother, Zina, took her children on a wilderness walk to collect materials and was inspired to make several fun rhythm instruments – love it!

Rhythmic play is an excellent foundation to learning any musical instrument.   At The Children’s School of Music, we integrate rhythm activities in all of our lessons at every age group.  It’s critical for early childhood classes, and our older piano students and guitar students practice advanced rhythms weekly

Celebrate Earth Day1  Take some inspiration from Zina and her family, and try to make a simple paper plate tambourine, wrapping paper roll rain stick, stick marimba, and nature shakers this week!  Read the article and how-to here.

Kathy Morely, of Morley Portraiture will photograph your family and/or children at the Midland Center for the Arts. The setting is the Steinway grand piano in front of Bruce Winslow’s “ARCHISPHERE” 1999 painting. Bruce Winslow is the Director of the Alden B. Dow Museum of Science and Art, and its fantastic that he is personally sponsoring this unique event.

Not only is it a convenient and rare opportunity, its also in support of a good cause, Art from the Heart.  Art from the Heart is Midland Center for the Arts’ scholarship fund, assisting under-served groups and individuals in our community.

For a $50, tax deductible donation to Art from the Heart, you can reserve a free sitting for your special portrait. And, you will also receive a $100 portrait credit towards your masterpiece portrait from Morley Portraiture!

This is a photo of the event postcard, available in our classroom. Actual sample portraits are also hanging in the classroom for you to check out.

The setting will be opened on April 22 and May 20 from 12 – 5:30 p.m.  You can reserve a time to have your child , children, or family photographed with Sonja at the Children’s School of Music:  989-633-0063, or with Morley Portraiture: 989-839-9180.

Our recitals are special. They are not only a piano recital, but each performance will usually have guitar, singing, and ensemble play, too!

Both recitals are semi-formal and will be held in the downstairs auditorium at the Midland Center for the Arts.   Students and families are encouraged to sign up for their preferred recital as soon as possible, as there is limited seating (94).   Sign-up sheets are posted in the classroom, or you can email the school at info@thechildrensschoolofmusic.com and request to be added to the list.

Details

There is no cost to attend the recitals.  Given there is limited seating in the auditorium, priority is given to our students and families. Within a week of the recital dates, you are welcome to email us to inquire about open seating and make a reservation to attend.

The stairs down to the auditorium are located to the right of the main ticket office.

Enjoy The Video!

For a taste of our recital, enjoy the following video from one of our previous spring performances at the MCFTA below:

We heard the guide has made its way home in some of our students backpacks through school.  But, if you haven’t seen it yet, you can download a printable PDF version here:  Let’s Explore – Summer Camps 2012.

What a fun way to teach new rhythms!  Also, instead of the kids using their hands, such as with maracas, drums, and shakers, they are using their breath.  Rhythmical breathing helps establish a foundation for singing and/or playing horns and woodwinds in a band.

Warning:  things could get loud!  So, alternatively, maybe its a better sunny day project, so the kids can take their oboes outside

Note: Registration and payment is needed to reserve your space in all camps.

Don’t delay! Camps can fill up quickly!

Register Online Here • Phone: 631-5930 Ext. 1802

Baby & Toddler Classes (Standard Pricing)
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Baby Harmony
Thursdays 9:30 a.m.		For babies up to 18 months. See class description here. Note: Classes will not be held during overlapping weeks with Preschool camps; June 18, July 16, and August 6.
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Toddler Tunes
Thursdays 10:10 a.m.		For toddlers 18 months – 3 years. See class description here. Note: Classes will not be held during overlapping weeks with Preschool camps; June 18, July 16, and August 6.
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Preschool Camps • Ages 3 1/2 – 5 ($112 per Camp, per Student)
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Music Around the World
June 18 – 21 9 – 11 am		Explore the world through the music of different cultures. Make an African drum, dance an Irish jig, and sing and play music from around the globe. Our preschool age music program includes music from many cultures, offering this camp great diversity in our emphasis of singing, rhythm, movement and piano activities. World travelers welcome!
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The Carnival of Animals
July 16-19   9 – 11 am		Journey through a jungle, a farm and a safari, and encounter some creepy crawly critters as we explore the Carnival of Animals music from composer, Saint-Saen. Mixed with our preschool age music program, this camp will emphasize singing, movement, rhythm, and keyboard activities. Creative Explorers!
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Pirates and Princesses
Aug 6 – 9 9 – 11 am		Come join Cinderella & Captain Hook in a fanciful journey through castles and desert islands. Pirate and Princess songs are mixed with our preschool age music program in a dynamic readiness program for young children with emphasis on ear training, solfege singing and pitch, movement keyboard activities, and rhythm. Imagination required!
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Elementary Camps • Ages 6-10 ($168 per Camp, per Student)
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Young Musicians Camp
Jun 25 – 28 1 – 4 pm		Thinking about starting our program in the Fall? This is for all of you who want to start piano for the first time. We will be working together on rhythm, note reading and writing, playing instruments, and, of course, playing lots of piano. Participation in this course requires the purchase of a Primer music book. Get ready to play!
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Singers & Songwriters Camp
Jul 23 – 26 1 – 4 pm		Write some new lyrics and make up your own songs! Come join us for a class of singing and learning new vocal music skills. We’ll sing lots of Disney and popular songs, as well as practice singing in solfege. We’ll also have fun “taking requests” from the group, so bring your favorite songs! Calling all singers!
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Strum Along! Guitar Camp
Aug 6 – 9 1 – 4 pm		A special adapted guitar method for younger players will be the focus of this camp. Basic music theory and skills such as tuning the guitar and reading chord charts will be taught. We will work on beginning chords, strumming, rhythm and learning basic songs. Kids will have fun being able to play real songs by the end of camp, while having a whole lot of fun exploring the guitar many different ways. Learn to play!
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The Rhythm is Gonna Get You!
Aug 13 – 16 1 – 4 pm		We will explore different rhythm instruments each day and learn to play different rhythm patterns as an ensemble! We will focus on understanding and reading note values and on drawing notes and time signatures. We will even try playing some trash cans! This class is great for anyone who aspires to be in a band, or play in 5th grade band. Get movin’ and groovin’!

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What Is It?

The network helps those interested in children’s music share songs and idea, inspire each other about the empowering ways adults and young people can communicate through music, and act as a positive catalyst for education and community-building through music.   Members of the network meet around the country on an ongoing basis to share and enrich the resources provided by the organization.

Specialties

The focus and specialties of CMN isn’t just about cute kids music and jingly toddler tunes.  They have a bigger mission to deliver through the music they promote.  Specialties include: Peace for the World’s Children, Multicultural Understanding, Environmental Education, Joy of Community Music-Making, Songwriting and Performance, Music Education and Music in the Classroom.

“We recognize children’s music as a powerful means of encouraging cooperation, celebrating diversity, building self-esteem, promoting respect and responsibility for our environment, and cultivating an understanding of nonviolence and social justice.”

Free Ways Parents Can Use the Network

There are paid subscriptions, and since its a non-profit, the organization accepts donations.  But, for parents, there are several excellent free resources published that you can use to enhance your child’s music education and/or keep them busy and learning at play time

• They publish a bi-annual magazine called Pass It On.  The current issues includes an article on Kids’ Music Resources on the Web.
• Find songs to listen to and sing about the environment
• Find songs to listen to and sing about world peace.
• Submit a song you wrote for publication!
• Find children’s radio stations
• Discover new children’s music links around the web.

This year, ALL our 5th – 7th grade students play instruments in their school orchestra or band.  It’s such a joy to see our students get involved with other musical opportunities in their school’s, churches, theater, and more.

With the foundation they have built at TCSOM, they are able to focus on learning their instruments.  They already know how to read notes, chords, and rhythm.  And, they already know how to play with a group.  They have such an advantage!  In band and orchestra, unlike many participants who are starting to learn music from scratch, our students are only learning how handle their instruments, e.g. fingering, blowing through the reed to get a sound, gracefully moving a bow, etc.

This year, our students brought in string instruments, cello and violin, as well as woodwinds, saxophone and clarinet.  Everyone, including the instructor, got a lesson and got to test out each other’s instruments.  Fun!!