Music Together of West Hartford and Farmington Valley, an early childhood music and movement program, has exciting new developments to kick off the fall season, including a free family music festival in honor of World Peace.

Music Together WHFV class. Photo credit: Cheyney Barrieau

By Ronni Newton

As the fall season kicks into gear, Music Together of West Hartford and Farmington Valley (Music Together WHFV) has a new partnership with the Mandell JCC in West Hartford, new classes in Unionville, and is launching the Rhythm Kids pilot program. But before everything begins, Music Together WHFV will celebrate the International Day of Peace with a free family-oriented concert on Sept. 17 in Elizabeth Park in West Hartford.

“Peace, Love & Music Together is our way of bringing what we do in the classroom out into the community. When we make music together in community with people of all ages and backgrounds, we tap into what connects us. I believe these types of experiences play a positive role in how we raise our children,” said Music Together WHFV Center Director Catherine Denmead.

Peace, Love & Music Together: An International Day of Peace Celebration will bring together Music Together Centers from around the state for the fourth annual event on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. The event is open to the public, and ideal for family enjoyment. Activities will include yoga, sound meditation, live musical performances, community drumming, arts & crafts, face painting, exhibitor tents hosting essential oils demonstrations, massage, and more.

Although the International Day of Peace Celebration is free, Music Together is asking for support to offset the costs of the volunteer effort through the Music Together GoFundMe campaign.

Participant in 2015 Peace, Love and Music Together event. Photo courtesy of Music Together WHFV

Music Together WHFV’s regular 10-week schedule of fall classes kicks off on Sept. 19. In addition to classes at Congregation Beth Israel and St. James’s Episcopal Church, West Hartford classes are now offered at the Mandell JCC, and there is a collaboration with Spotlight Art, Dance & Wellness in Unionville with classes in the bright, light-filled dance studio located above the Rivers Edge Shopping Plaza.

Mandell JCC Family Room Parenting Center Director Jane Pasternak is excited to add Music Together to the Center’s offerings for families with young children. “Music plays a significant role in a young child’s development and Music Together is a truly professional program. The Mandell JCC looks forward to a very successful partnership with this added offering to the community,” she said.

Also new to Music Together WHFV this fall is “Rhythm Kids,” a program that “guides children toward developmentally appropriate music and movement activities where they can begin to take charge, lead others, and be musically creative.”

Rhythm Kids is broken down into two age groups: one for 4-5 year-olds who attend with a parent or caregiver, and another for grades K-2. All participants will receive a djembe drum that can be taken home for practice and play.

“Each week we’ll drum, sing, dance, play rhythm instruments, and play music-based games. My own children have been loving helping me prepare at home. They pick up and play the djembe every day,” Denmead said.

Music Together has built an international reputation as a “research-based early childhood music and movement program that nurtures the musical development of young children through engagement in playful, developmentally appropriate activities with their parents and caregivers.” Parents and caregivers are encouraged to make music a part of their child’s daily life, something that the program says encourages overall development.

“Now more than ever, today’s families need opportunities to engage with their children in meaningful ways that promote bonding, learning, creativity, and self-expression,” Denmead said. “We’re in this work to have a lasting impact and affect positive change through music-making.”

Registration for fall classes is now open, and information can be found online at www.musictogetherWHFV.com. More information can also be found on Facebook, or by calling 860-761-2355. Families can register for classes at the Mandell JCC by calling member services at 860-236-4571.

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford!