WHY MUSIKGARTEN?
We believe Musikgarten has no equal.
Our early childhood program is expertly planned, executed, and supported. And our students, well, they just seem to love coming to Musikgarten.
Pedagogically sound -
“Music immerses the child in language, evokes movement, stimulates the brain, and fosters physical coordination — all in a group setting that builds community — a truly holistic experience.”
Musikgarten offers the most pedagogically sound program available. Not all early childhood music and movement classes are the same. Musikgarten's President, Dr. Heyge, holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music, Northwestern University, a PhD in musicology from the University of Cologne, and an Artist Diploma (the German equivalent of a Doctorate of Musical Arts) from the Cologne Musik Hochschule. Our curricula are uniquely effective because we have designed learning sequences that repeat and build patterns to continually reinforce and stimulate our students.
Our approach to music education is fun for children and parents. As a result of our sequential pathway to music education, children can become independent, thinking musicians. To foster music literacy, we offer a comprehensive early childhood program that spans the first years of a child's musical development. Children love the progression from month to month, as patterns and songs are repeated and built upon, addressing students' needs at each level. The Musikgarten experience culminates in piano lessons in the elementary school years.
We believe that:
All children are musical.
Music meets the needs of children.
Music benefits the whole child, must be introduced early and must involve the family.
By using only the highest-quality educational resources and instruments, we can help deepen a child's appreciation for music and the natural world around him, building a foundation for life-long music making.
Providing an appropriate musical experience and following a carefully sequenced approach to music reading allows a child to participate fully in musical experiences of all kinds.
Our Early Childhood Music Classes
Simply put, children love music. Music touches all spheres of child development; language and literacy development, pattern recognition skills (the basis for mathematical learning), as well as social and emotional growth are all positively impacted by being involved in music.
When music and movement are a natural, joyous part of childhood, children benefit greatly in many areas of life. Language development, self expression, memory skills, concentration, social interaction, fine motor skills, listening, problem solving, teamwork, goal setting, and coordination are all impacted by early music and movement education. What's more, as a child learns to play music, other areas of development — creativity, family bonding, self-esteem, confidence, emotional development — are also positively impacted.
By focusing their natural inclination, Musikgarten helps young children develop a love of music and the skills to play it through a series of activity-filled age-appropriate lessons. Your child isn't too young to start learning the Musikgarten way. In fact, we offer music classes for babies, for toddlers and a variety of music classes for preschoolers.
Age-specific Curricula
Beginning simply with singing, moving, and exploring rhythm instruments, we add levels of complexity as the children grow, expanding the singing repertoire, teaching more complex rhythms and patterns, and building instrumental ensembles. Children coming through the Musikgarten program inherently "know" the music they eventually play in later years in piano instruction.
“Our daughter has been in Musikgarten for almost two years, and it has given her a genuine love of music. Kelsey lines up her stuffed animals at home, gives them each an instrument, and pretends to be the music teacher. She says, “Let’s play Beethoven!” ”
“Musikgarten classes have affected my daughter Savannah’s life in so many other ways. She has always been very hesitant to stray too far from Mommy, but after almost two years of classes, she is the first to jump up, sing, and dance. ”
Frequently asked questions
Why should I pursue Musikgarten classes for my child?
We know that all children are musical but that potential will decrease if it isn’t nurtured when they are young. We also know that music awakens and stimulates neural pathways in the brain that are associated with higher forms of intelligence, such as abstract thinking, empathy, mathematics, and science. Music's melodic and rhythmic patterns provide exercise for the brain and help develop memory.What is Musikgarten's developmental plan for my child, and why is it important?
Only Musikgarten has a program that addresses the unique developmental needs of children at each age, taking children from infancy up through piano lessons. Classes are designed for children to grow with Musikgarten. In fact, most children and parents love their Musikgarten classes so much, it is not uncommon for a family to continue with Musikgarten until the child reaches elementary age, at which point he will be ready for private piano or voice lessons (or another instrument)..Should parents attend and participate in the classes?
Absolutely! Parents are an integral part of class in the younger years. As students get older, they participate by themselves, but parents take part in the classes towards the end of each lesson. For all classes, parents are asked to include active music making in their child's life. Sing along with the CD or playlist in the car. Play echo games, making up patterns, as we do in class. Put the picture cards or notation games on your refrigerator and play identification games with them as you get ready for dinner.Why do students get home materials? Are we supposed to practice at home?
Children and parents can have so much fun at home and in the car with Musikgarten songs and dances. In class you learn the songs, but at home is where you really have fun with the songs and dances. It's a great family bonding time. It allows children and parents to share in the experience at home.Do you have a class that would allow me to bring several of my children of different ages to at the same time?
Often, yes. Please contact the Musikbox to inquire...As my child gets older, there are so many other activities to try. Why should I continue with Musikgarten?
After being in the program for a while, you will see the benefits your child is getting from class. It is our view that the singing, dancing and playing (in class and at home) is the best for your child's holistic development: language, movement, math skills, and physical coordination - all in a group setting that builds community.