Music Playdate
By: Char Skenandore
Home Connections:
Have a Dance Party at Home
Expose your children to different styles of music (classical, jazz, country, pop) and to music from different cultures. Talk about how the music makes them feel, what it makes them think of, does it sound fast or slow, and have them act out those thoughts. The Milwaukee Public Library offers CD's and DVD/VHS's of different kinds of music from many different cultures that are available for check-out.
Make Your Own Instruments at Home
With your child, look around your home and see what items can be used to make an instrument. Talk with him about how you will make it, write up a plan, and then create your instrument. Not able to think of one on your own? Go to your local library and check out books about how to make instruments with every day objects or surf the internet for sites that explain how to make musical instruments for kids.
Write Your Own Song
With your child, think about a topic that you could create a song about. You might create a song about something that interested you and your child or it might be about a daily routine. Think about how you can tell a story about that idea using descriptive words. Once you decided on the words for the song, now think about how you can make the music to go along with the words. Will you use instruments, either home-made or real, or will you make sounds by clapping, humming, or using other body parts? Practice your song a few times and then perform it for other family members or friends.
Go to a Local Parade
Many cities host parades through out the summer months. Attend a parade and watch for the different kinds of bands. Try to identify as many instruments as you can.
Free Family Friendly Music Events at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts
Festival City Symphony Presents: Free Pajama Jamboree at Bradley Pavilion
This series of three FREE classical "pops" concerts, each one hour in length, is geared to children and their families. Each concert has narration and music selections that are lively, tell a story, and/or demonstrate the colors of the orchestra. Dress is casual. Pajamas, teddy bears, and blankets are welcome for the youngest audience members, especially for a spot on the floor directly in front of the orchestra. Conventional seating is also available.
The programs are frequently collaborative efforts with guest artists appealing to youngsters (dancers, costumed actors, children's performing groups, etc.) Sometimes audience members even get to conduct!
For more information and dates, check out their website: http://www.marcuscenter.org/Pajama.Jamboree.html
Have a Dance Party at Home
Expose your children to different styles of music (classical, jazz, country, pop) and to music from different cultures. Talk about how the music makes them feel, what it makes them think of, does it sound fast or slow, and have them act out those thoughts. The Milwaukee Public Library offers CD's and DVD/VHS's of different kinds of music from many different cultures that are available for check-out.
Make Your Own Instruments at Home
With your child, look around your home and see what items can be used to make an instrument. Talk with him about how you will make it, write up a plan, and then create your instrument. Not able to think of one on your own? Go to your local library and check out books about how to make instruments with every day objects or surf the internet for sites that explain how to make musical instruments for kids.
Write Your Own Song
With your child, think about a topic that you could create a song about. You might create a song about something that interested you and your child or it might be about a daily routine. Think about how you can tell a story about that idea using descriptive words. Once you decided on the words for the song, now think about how you can make the music to go along with the words. Will you use instruments, either home-made or real, or will you make sounds by clapping, humming, or using other body parts? Practice your song a few times and then perform it for other family members or friends.
Go to a Local Parade
Many cities host parades through out the summer months. Attend a parade and watch for the different kinds of bands. Try to identify as many instruments as you can.
Free Family Friendly Music Events at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts
Festival City Symphony Presents: Free Pajama Jamboree at Bradley Pavilion
This series of three FREE classical "pops" concerts, each one hour in length, is geared to children and their families. Each concert has narration and music selections that are lively, tell a story, and/or demonstrate the colors of the orchestra. Dress is casual. Pajamas, teddy bears, and blankets are welcome for the youngest audience members, especially for a spot on the floor directly in front of the orchestra. Conventional seating is also available.
The programs are frequently collaborative efforts with guest artists appealing to youngsters (dancers, costumed actors, children's performing groups, etc.) Sometimes audience members even get to conduct!
For more information and dates, check out their website: http://www.marcuscenter.org/Pajama.Jamboree.html