First Steps in Music

A Magical Introduction to Music and Movement for Young Children

Dr. John Feierabend, Artistic Director
Connie Greenwood, Univeristy of Hartford Campus & Lead Teacher
Diana Brandt, Simsbury Teacher at Simsmore Square

Nothing is more important to healthy development than to have a child's life filled with wonderful, positive experiences. What better way to provide the positive delight and stimulation than through music and dance! First Steps is a unique introduction to musical expression and creative movement, carefully designed by a national leader in early childhood education and taught by our dedicated professional staff. From free play with percussion instruments to organized songs, rhymes and games, these sessions:

• Inspire children to listen, feel and move to music of all kinds
• Stimulate a child's imagination through songs and movement
• Encourage constructive social interactions with other children and their families
• Are incredibly fun for kids and parents
• A gift for parents to share with their children, newborn through age five

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About the First Steps Program

First Steps is a unique introduction to musical expression and creative movement, carefully designed by Dr. John Feierabend, a national leader in early childhood education. Dr. Feierabend, professor of music and the director of the Music Education Division at The Hartt School, is the inspiration behind the new PBS children’s television series, Lomax: The Hound of Music. This series is based on the First Steps in Music curriculum.

The goal of the First Steps in Music classes is to enable all children to reach their full potential in music and movement through involvement in informal music and movement activities. From free play with percussion instruments to organized folk songs, rhymes and games, these sessions:

• Inspire children to listen, feel and move to music of all kinds
• Develop a child’s imagination through songs and movement
• Encourage constructive social interactions with other children
• Are fun for kids and parents alike!

Each lesson is designed with specific goals in mind. Through singing, instrumental exploration and games, children are given an appetite to love music. In a playful manner, children develop sensory awareness, language, motor, creative and social skills, along with gaining a wide repertoire of music. Word sheets and CD’s are provided at all levels so parents can reinforce what is learned in class at home.

Infant
Classes begin with 10 minutes of free-play time for parents and children to explore an assortment of musical instruments. This time is followed by a gentle selection of bounces, wiggles, tickles, tapping, dancing and lullabies. Parents are encouraged to play with their babies and interact with other families. These activities are an important investment in your child’s musical future.

Toddler
Classes begin with 10 minutes of free-play time for parents and children to explore an assortment of musical instruments. Children are developing beat awareness and they are encouraged to play percussion instruments during simple songs and rhymes. This time is followed by a more energetic assortment of bounces, wiggles, tickles, clapping, simple songs, beat motions to classical music, circle games, songtales and lullabies. The goal of this level is to evoke the child’s response.

Nursery
These classes are filled with musical activities sure to delight the young musician. As in earlier levels, the first 10 minutes are for parents and children to explore an assortment of musical instruments. After free-play, the remaining time includes musical activities such as vocal exploration, echo and call and response songs, movement, finger plays and steady beat activities with or without instruments.
Singing, moving, creating and playing instruments make this time a wonderful musical experience.

Pre-School
This class is designed to promote musical independence. After following the same 10-minute exploration time as the previous classes, the goal of this level is to nurture the musical intelligence of each child by providing opportunities to explore concepts through a variety of sounds, instruments and recordings. Vocal exploration, echo and call and response songs, movement and finger-plays are experienced. Rhythm and vocal patterns are echoed and children are encouraged to create their own simple rhythmic patterns and melodies.

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Class Schedules

Fall Session Dates

Main Campus (University of Hartford)

Tuesdays ~ Sept. 15, 22, 29; Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27; Nov. 10, 17, 24
Fridays ~ Sept. 11, 18, 25; Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; Nov. 13, 20
Saturdays ~ Sept. 12, 19, 26; Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; Nov. 7, 21

Simsbury Location

Saturdays ~ Sept. 12, 19, 26; Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; Nov. 7, 21

Winter Session Dates

Main Campus (University of Hartford)

Tuesdays ~ Dec. 8, 15; Jan. 5, 12, 19, 26; Feb. 2, 9, 23; March 2
Fridays ~ Dec. 4, 11, 18; Jan. 8, 15, 22; Feb. 5, 19, 26; March 5
Saturdays ~ Dec. 12, 19; Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30; Feb. 6, 20, 27; March 6

Simsbury Location

Saturdays ~ Dec. 12, 19; Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30; Feb. 6, 20, 27; March 6

Spring Session Dates

Main Campus (University of Hartford)

Tuesdays ~ March 9, 16, 30; April 6, 13, 27; May 4, 18. 25; June 1
Fridays ~ March 12, 19; April 2, 9, 16, 30; May 14, 21, 28; June 4
Saturdays ~ March 13, 20; April 3, 10, 17; May 1, 15, 22, 29; June 5

Simsbury Location

Saturdays ~ March 13, 20; April 3, 10, 17; May 1, 15, 22, 29; June 5

Children ages 3 years and up may like to explore The Hartt School Community Division Dance Department offerings. Please contact the HCD Dance Department at (860) 768-6000 or email dancedesk@hartford.edu for more information.

 

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Class Offerings

Class	Time	Day	Location
Infant/Toddler (birth - 29 months)	5:00 - 5:45pm	Tuesday	Main Campus
Nursery/Pre-School (30 months - 5 years)	6:00 - 7:00pm	Tuesday	Main Campus
Infant (birth-12 months)	9:00 - 9:30am	Friday	Main Campus
Toddler (13 - 29 months)	9:35 - 10:20am	Friday	Main Campus
Nursery (30 - 42 months)	10:25 - 11:20am	Friday	Main Campus
Pre-School (3 and a half - 5 years)	11:25am - 12:25pm	Friday	Main Campus
Infant (birth-12 months)	9:00 - 9:30am	Saturday	Main Campus
Toddler (13 - 29 months)	9:35 - 10:20am	Saturday	Main Campus
Nursery (30 - 42 months)	10:25 - 11:20am	Saturday	Main Campus
Pre-School (3 and a half - 5 years)	11:25am - 12:25pm	Saturday	Main Campus
Infant (birth-12 months)	9:00 - 9:30am	Saturday	Simsbury
Toddler (13 - 29 months)	9:35 - 10:20am	Saturday	Simsbury
Nursery (30 - 42 months)	10:25 - 11:20am	Saturday	Simsbury
Pre-School (3 and a half - 5 years)	11:25am - 12:25pm	Saturday	Simsbury

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Age Requirements & Tuition

Download the 2009-2010 First Steps In Music Registration Packet!

 

 

 Children ages 3 years and up may like to explore The Hartt School Community Division Dance Department offerings. 

Please contact the Dance Department at (860) 768-6000 or email dancedesk@hartford.edu for more information.

 

 

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