This delightful program is designed for newborn to 18- month-old children accompanied by a parent or caregiver. Kindermusik Village is for lap babies, crawlers and walkers, introducing multiple levels of activities for the different stages of development in this age range. Adults and babies will spend 45 minutes each week singing, moving, exploring and learning how the different activities aid in baby’s development. Home materials allow parents to continue exploring music at home and to document their child’s growth and development. Materials include: picture book, wall banners, CD for listening and moving and an instrument suitable for baby. Discover the importance of your child’s musical learning. Share the Kindermusik Village experience!

Kindermusik Sign & Sing uses a different approach from other sign language programs. Through songs, toys and loving playtime between you and your child, Kindermusik Sign & Sing shows you more than 100 signs your child can use to communicate with you. Using research-proven methods shown to speed development in hearing children, you’ll see how sign language can ease frustration and enhance long-term learning abilities for your child. Materials include: two family activity books, two DVDs and two sets of sign flashcards. No sibling materials needed.

This wonderful curriculum is designed for children 18 months through 3½ years. Children and parents or caregivers meet weekly for a fun-filled 45-minute class of singing, chanting, movement activities, instrument exploration and interactive story time. Activities in class, as well as home materials, stimulate ideas for adult and child to continue making music, facilitate exploration at home and will foster preparation for successful learning in school. There are four non-sequential semesters. Materials for each semester include: two CDs, a home activity book, two literature books, a specially designed instrument and carrying case.

A musical celebration of the four seasons, this delightful curriculum nurtures 3- and 4-year-olds’ ability to use language with activities that foster their growing independence and competencies. The Cycle of Seasons taps into the child’s vivid imagination, while satisfying the child’s need to learn in a holistic environment. With an emphasis on aural development, activities include lots of singing, chants and rhymes, listening games, echo patterns and movement games. In this class, we encourage active, thoughtful participation, not entertainment or visual stimulation. Parents or caregivers stay for this class, but activities are designed to encourage independence throughout the semester. Materials include: two CDs, listening cards, parents’ book and bag.

For the 3½- to 5-year-old, imagination is everything. Every experience becomes an opportunity for self-discovery. Encouraging this creativity inside your child, Imagine That incorporates pretend play activities with vocal development, storytelling, listening, movement and literacy aspects in each lesson. In a small group setting, instrument play is introduced to foster fine motor skills as well as familiarity with basic concepts like rhythm, pitch and timbre. Vocal exploration develops the child’s singing voice, and creative movement strengthens coordination and repertoire of movements. Listening activities cultivate discrimination skills while peer interaction affirms social skills. Children attend the first 30 minutes of class on their own, and parents or caregivers will join for a 10- to 15-minute family sharing time at the end. The home materials include instruments that help develop musical learning and enhance creative musical expression. Literature books provide opportunities for language development, singing and imaginative play. The home materials also encourage families to explore activities and create projects together. In addition, each semester the class will enjoy an instrument demonstration with a professional musician! Materials include: two CDs, instrument, books, family activity book, play set and backpack.

For your budding musician, Young Child provides a pressurefree, developmentally appropriate transition where children can musically succeed before taking on more formal instruction. In small, movement-oriented classes, children develop their greatest instruments—their voices—while learning the symbols and vocabulary of music-making. Your child develops instrument-playing skills with the introduction of the glockenspiel, recorder and dulcimer, as listening activities strengthen the child’s ability to discern a variety of instruments and musical concepts. Through creative learning activities, children begin to read music and to create musical compositions—tangible accomplishments that instill positive emotions about their musicality. Soon a request of “Mom, when can I take piano lessons?” may surprise you. Our Kindermusik graduates are ready for formal music instruction for many reasons. They simply LOVE music-making! They develop vocal and rhythm skills which they can bring to the instruments. They are so excited about making music that they love to practice!

These courses provide four semesters of activities for children ages 5 to 7 years. They are also introduced to famous composers and instruments of the orchestra. Parent/ caregiver participates in the last 10 minutes of class. Materials include home activities to reinforce each lesson.

Formal piano lessons in a group setting! Through movement, games and creative discovery, children learn to play the piano and read music from the very first lesson. Students meet for a group lesson in the Wilmington Branch digital piano lab for three consecutive weeks; every fourth week, they have a 20-minute private lesson. Children enjoy making music while developing skills in reading, technique and practicing. Classes include music theory, sight-reading, composing and ensemble playing, with strong emphasis on expressive playing. This class, through a non-competitive environment, aims to provide the secure foundation necessary for all piano study.
Prerequisite: Interview (readiness assessment) with teacher; daily access to a piano required.

This exploratory class is designed to help parents identify their children’s musical interests and strengths, providing opportunities for children to experience in-depth introductions to a variety of musical instruments before deciding on a specific instrument for private study. In four 8-week segments, children will explore flute, violin, voice and piano. Each class session is split between instrumental or vocal group instruction and games and activities that enhance basic musicianship.
Prerequisite: None.

This class is designed for the student whose primary interest in music is singing. Children of all vocal abilities are welcome. Sol-Fa Singers learn the basics of good vocal production, vocal sight-reading and the fundamentals of ensemble singing. This class provides an excellent musical foundation for children who are interested in participating in Wilmington Branch auditioned choirs when they are older.
Prerequisite: None.