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!!

Take a moment to read the article posted on their website:  “Midland Center for the Arts welcomes our new strategic partner: The Children’s School of Music! Visit their new studio and office on our lower level!“

We have moved all of the pianos and equipment out of our old classroom and into Studio 7, our new home in the Midland Center for the Arts.

We’re still in the process of hanging pictures and organizing the classroom, but I wanted to give you a quick tour and show you where we’ll be.  Everyone will know where to come for your class next week, what to expect when you get here, and even some fun things to do when you leave!

We’re SO excited to see you next week!

We are also exited about the move, and want to express our thanks to the MCFTA for collaborating with us. We are looking forward to our new home.

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MIDLAND, MI – The Children’s School of Music will relocate its studio and offices to the lower level of Midland Center for the Arts, 1801 W. St. Andrews Rd., in January 2012.

“Many Children’s School of Music students are involved in MCFTA programs such as Youth Honors Chorus, Peanut Gallery, and Center Stage Theatre, so they will already be familiar with our new surroundings,” remarks Georgia Abbott, Director and owner of The Children’s School of Music. “Early training in musical skills helps prepare children to participate in the fantastic MCFTA offerings.”

“We are so pleased to have The Children’s School of Music relocating their operation to our building,” says Mike Hayes, President and CEO of Midland Center for the Arts. “We look forward to collaborations on early childhood music and music education programs.”

The Children’s School of Music is dedicated to creating a lifelong source of inner expression, creativity, happiness and fulfillment by uncovering children’s natural musical talents. It uses the Harmony Road method, comprised of courses specifically designed for each age group. TCSOM will be closed January 15 through January 23. Classes will resume in their new space on January 24. The winter session for new students begins on January 30.

For more information, contact: info@thechildrensschoolofmusic.com

Midland Center for the Arts, Inc. is a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation formed under the laws of the State of Michigan incorporating six groups: Alden B. Dow Museum of Science and Art, MATRIX:MIDLAND, Midland County Historical Society, Midland Symphony Orchestra, Music Society and Theatre Guild. Activities at Midland Center for the Arts are supported in part by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. For the latest Center news, visit our web site at www.mcfta.org.

# # #
Midland Center for the Arts • 1801 W. St. Andrews Rd. • Midland, MI 48640 • (989) 631-5930 • (989) 631-7890 fax • www.mcfta.org

Here are a few video “quick takes” and memories from the performance.  When we become aware that the performance is on local Midland Television, we’ll let you know.

Once again, a big “Thank You” to the Midland Center for the Arts, James Hohmeyer (Conductor), Peter Brooks (Master of Ceremonies), Tom Ryden (Percussionist), and Evola Music (provider of the gorgeous pianos!).

Enjoy!

“Reptile Rag”, Composer Barbara Harry. Ms. Georgia is the organizer of the snake throwing in this fun performance …. Ssssssssss
 

“Changing Places”, Arranged by Edna Mae Burnam.  We bet you’ll want to clap along with this one!
 

“Icicle Waltz”,  Compser Meolody Bober. Our most advanced TCSOM students performed in piece.  They are Harmony Road 4 students in 6th and 7th grade.
 

If you don’t have your tickets yet, seating IS ASSIGNED, so please call the MCFTA ticket office asap.

I will be helping at piano #5.   If you have any questions or concerns, please come see me.  At rehearsals, I’ll be wearing my ball cap (just because I can!)    After the performance, I will stay on stage with the pianos and be available for pictures.

In addition to the standard program reminders below, here are A TWO VERY IMPORTANT tips and a reminder:

1. KIDS WILL NOT BE GIVEN PROGRAMS THIS YEAR. The concert will last between 1 and 1.5 hours.  I expect younger kids could get restless not knowing when it will end.   It would be a good idea for you to review a program with them when you arrive.  Providing them with a watch to keep time might also help.
2. ARRANGE A MEETING PLACE for the end of the concert, and ask your child to STAY THERE.   It can take a while for parents to get down to their children.  The crowd gets disorganized very quickly, and every year children get stressed not knowing where to find their parents.
3. Additionally, one of each the two students at each piano will be required to LEAVE THEIR BOOK with the teacher who is turning pages.   Books will be returned after the performance.   This is why we all have NAME, “MS. ABBOTT”, and “Piano #” written on our books.

Here are some additional, important reminders for Parents:

Researsal

• Enter the building through the MAIN LOBBY
• Parents are asked to attend and stay at rehearsal with their children
• Please be ON TIME at the start of your rehearsal.  Important information is provided at the beginning of each practice session
• After your child finishes their rehearsal, you may leave
• Cell phones must be turned off or set to pulse
• Children must be quiet during rehearsal.  Talking is not tolerated.  We suggest bringing a book to read, homework, or other quiet activity.   iPods/MP3 players are allowed, with sound turned off.

Performance

• The concert begins promptly at 7:00 pm.   Participants must be IN THEIR SEATS by 6:45 p.m.
• Performers are allowed in starting at 6:15.  You can use any door – identify yourself as a participant.
• PLEASE USE RESTROOMS BEFOREHAND.  Supervised bathroom privileges will be in effect to ensure a safe environment
• Performers ARE NOT allowed to bring ipods/MP3 players to the performance.  Cell phones must be turned off or set to pulse.
• Videotaping and picture taking is allowed
• Students must stay for the entire concert, and they must stay in their assigned seat for the entire performance.

Thanks!

Miss Georgia

In January, the school will be moving into the lower level of the Midland Center for the Arts, occupying space that has been made available to house the TCSOM music program, equipment, playroom and office space (Studio 7).

Both the MCFTA and TCSOM are excited about the move and consider this the first step in exploring more joint collaboration in early childhood music and music education platforms in the future.

So many of our  Children’s School of Music students are involved in the MCFTA Youth Honors Choral program, Peanut Gallery Theatre productions and Center Stage productions.  At TCSOM, students begin at an early age to sing solfege, read music and play both piano and percussion instruments.  This early, joyful training and skill advance children to be ready to take on the other fantastic offerings at the MCFTA!

“We are so pleased to have The Children’s School of Music relocating their operation to our building,” says Mike Hayes, President and CEO of Midland Center for the Arts.  “We look forward to collaborations on early childhood music and music education programs.”

The move is a win-win for us, for the X-treme Bike shop, and for the MCFTA.  The bike shop is ready to expand and will be taking over our current space to get ready for Spring.

The school will be closed between January 15th and January 23rd for the move and transition.

Classes will resume on January 24th for all current students.  The new winter session for NEW students begins on January 30th.

Again, I’m very excited about this move and what it means to our music program.   If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me, or to discuss them with me or your instructor in your next class.

Thank you!
Georgia Abbott
Owner, The Children’s School of Music

This year, we’re recommending our favorite instruments, books, and CD’s in our own Amazon Store. Comparable instruments to those we use in class are available at reasonable prices from Amazon. And, most of the CD’s and books we enjoy using with our students and offer in our library are also available.

Our store is a win-win! Select a favorite gift your child, and you can give to TCSOM at the same time! We make a small 3-5% commission on each sale, which goes right back into our Amazon account and is spent on new books, CD’s, and instruments for the school.

We thought you’d enjoy these “Turkey In the Straw” videos taken in our classroom last week.    The first is “Mr Turkey”, who we get out every year.  The kids love this goofy toy.   The second are some of our 4th and 5th grade students practicing part of the duet they’ll perform at Keyboard Fest 2012 in January.   This is the first time they all played it together, so great job!