ABOUT THE DO-RE-WEE PROGRAM
The Do-Re-Wee Music Academy offers toddlers and preschoolers (from 8 months thru age 5) and their accompanying adult a quality introduction to music in a fun-filled group setting through songs, rhythm & rhyme, instruments, dance and more. In this early childhood music program — where you enjoy music together with your little one — you’ll see your child begin to develop a strong musical foundation, as well as an enjoyment of music. We believe that all children can grow musically and that an early introduction is a gift for a lifetime.
WHO: Children from 8 months thru age 5
WHEN: A series of ten 45-minute sessions, available at various times throughout the year. Please check our front page for open enrollment.
About Music Mondays: A Class for k-2 Homeschoolers
Music Mondays have been added at the request of former Do-Re-Wee families whose kids are older now and aren’t finding quality music programming for Harford’s homeschoolers. The program will build on the rhythm-based foundation of Do-Re-Wee (not a prerequisite) to include recognition of commonly used meters such as 4/4 and 3/4 while also expanding into songs with unusual (asymmetric) rhythms such as 7/4. Unlike Do-Re-Wee, we’ll expand into tonality, using the keyboard to explore a 2-octave major scale before extrapolating from the whole-steps and half-steps comprising that scale into other major scales. We may start reading some simple music in the key of C, or that aspect might be pushed to the second semester.
We’ll enhance singing ability, introducing some elementary sheet music after exploring call-and-response and other simple methods. We’ll move into singing in the round and from there into an introduction to two-part harmony.
Percussion instruments such as castanets and maracas will be paired with simple songs, and kids will begin learning to read music for a percussion instrument (e.g. shaking a maraca on beats 2 & 4, or counting during a rest and coming in on a specific beat).
Listening activities will include an introduction to genres such as classical, jazz, musical theater, and pop songs while kids journal (each at their own level) while the song is played, followed by an inclusive informal discussion of why that song fits that genre. Listening activities will also help illuminate differences among musical families of instruments such as woodwinds, brass, percussion, and strings.
One or two new musical terms will be introduced during each class and then used regularly during subsequent classes to increase understanding and fluency; similarly, musical concepts such as mnemonic devices for reading music notes on a scale (Every Good Boy Does Fine and FACE for Treble Clef; Good Boys Do Fine Always and All Cows Eat Grass for bass clef) will be introduced and reinforced throughout the semester.
Showcase/Portfolio: Depending on age and stage, some students’ notebooks will function as an example of concepts introduced during the semester. There will often be a take-home activity that is totally optional but which would allow families who want their notebook to serve as a showcase/portfolio to complete and include in the notebook.
WHO: Children from Kindergarden thru age 2
WHEN: A series of twelve 45-minute sessions, available at various times throughout the year. Please check our front page for open enrollment.
OUR CONVENIENT LOCATION
WHERE: A spacious, child-friendly setting in the Parrish House at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 2925 Level Road, Churchville MD, 21028 (Click here for directions)
WHY: Do-Re-Wee’s program offers free enrollment to accompanying siblings (we are the ONLY early childhood music program to offer this!), a CD of incredible music, take-home materials that reinforce class concepts and enrich your little one, and applied discounts for enrolling in consecutive semesters and for referrals. Additionally, our location at Holy Trinity offers ample parking as well as a playground for your enjoyment after class!
QUESTIONS? Contact Anne Balto at 410-279-5357 or send an Email to Anne
ABOUT THE FOUNDER - Anne Balto
Do-Re-Wee founder Anne Balto has combined her love of music, education, and the wonder of those early childhood years in creating her dream company.
With a background in piano, voice, clarinet, and drama, Anne double-majored at The College of William & Mary (where she co-founded the first women’s a capella group of the College’s modern era) before earning her Master’s at The George Washington University.
She has since engaged in widely varying musical experiences, including teaching music and drama in both public and independent schools; directing & music-directing numerous theatrical productions; serving as a church pianist and choral conductor; and growing the program at a center emphasizing early childhood music.
Anne and her husband Andrew have four young children of their own, who fill the house with constant noise ranging from the sweetly harmonious to the utterly cacophonous.