Frequently Asked Questions
- Where can I find information about your class policies?
- What can I expect from class?
- Why are most classes taught in a mixed age setting?
- What is the class size?
- What if I miss a class during the semester? How do I schedule a makeup?
- Can I switch to a different class?
- What is your refund policy?
- What if I start classes after the semester begins?
- Is it OK for more than one adult to come to class?
- As a parent or caregiver, what is my role in class?
- How should we use the Music Together Materials to facilitate learning at home?
- Where can I buy some of the instruments we have in class?
- Do you offer gift certificates?
- What are the 2011-2012 song collections?
- Why is there a Curriculum Fee for VCC Music Together Classes?
Where can I find the most comprehensive information about my class?
Check out our class policy page by clicking here. This page contains important information about our classes, including makeups, inclement weather policies, and more!
What can I expect from class?
Music Together is designed for children ages birth through kindergarten. At Music Together we believe that music ability is as much a basic life skill as walking and talking, and that all children can learn to sing in tune, keep a beat, and participate with pleasure and confidence in the music of their culture. Music Together classes nurture yourthe child’s natural enthusiasm for music and movement as we sing, dance, chant, and play instruments in an informal setting. Our relaxed environment that will enrich her musical environment and guides your child her towards a lifetime of music-making enjoyment. Parents or caretakers also benefit from parent education interspersed throughout the class.
We open each class with our “Hello” song, and we welcome each child by name. Throughout the class, your instructor will use the rich Music Together curriculum to guide your child through a musical experience, which is different from week to week. Most classes make time for a “jam” and/or “free dance” song, allowing your child to explore music making and movement in his or her own way. Each class closes with a lullaby and our “Goodbye” song, which again calls each child by name.
Why are most classes taught in a Mixed Age setting?
Music Together is designed for children age birth through kindergarten. In the 1980s, Music Together pioneered the development of the mixed-age approach in early childhood music. In each class we strive to create a musically rich, developmentally appropriate environment where the whole family can enjoy music and nurture skills at the level right for each child.
Mixed-age classes provide a rich learning environment because children of different ages thrive when they interact with each other: the babies are often fascinated by the older children, and the “big” children enjoy helping and sharing with the “little” ones. This approach is based on research from music education, early childhood development, and family relationships, as well as our 20 years of experience in the field.
What is the class size?
Each class has 8-12 registered children plus their primary caregiver(s).
What if I miss a class during the semester? How do I schedule a makeup?
Starting in January 2012, families are allowed unlimited makeups each semester, though they do not roll over to the next semester. All makeups must be scheduled through our website. If you have more than one child, you only need to schedule one makeup slot per family, which registers both children. In order to keep class sizes small, drop-ins are not permitted.
To schedule or cancel a makeup class, please scroll to the top of this page and click on “My Account” in the upper right hand corner. Then, log in. Your Username is most likely the first initial and last name of whoever registered your child for the previous semesters, or the email of that person.
Once logged in, access the scheduler by clicking on My Classes and choosing “Schedule a Makeup” for the current semester. You will be able to choose from the list of available classes.
Can I switch to a different class?
Requests for class changes must be initiated within the first three weeks of the semester, and are made at the discretion of the center director, depending on class availability. Changes are not made after the third week of the semester.
What is your refund policy?
We are so confident that your family will love Music Together that we are excited to extend a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you are not completely satisfied after attending your first class, please email us at MusicTogetherOfVienna.com or call us at 703-424-7295 to request a refund. Refunds are not offered after the first week of class. Families are responsible for class attendance, and non-attendance does not constitute a withdrawal.
What if I start classes after the semester begins?
The Music Together of Vienna does not prorate for classes missed due to late registration. However, families do receive two makeup classes per semester.
Is it OK for more than one adult to come to class?
Both or either parent, grandparents, nannies or caregivers are welcome to attend class at any time – no need to ask. Making music together as a whole family is extremely valuable to your child's musical development, and attending class occasionally helps the other family members to join in at home.
As a parent or caregiver, what is my role in class?
Enhance your child's experience in class by remembering to sing, sing, sing! Your active participation allows your child to learn and grow musically. So pick up an egg shakes during one of our “jam” sessions, dance your heart out to our “free dance” songs, and enjoy the “play” in making music throughout class! You are the perfect person to model for your child how much fun it can be to make music.
There are always opportunities to socialize before or after class, and we encourage you to resist the urge to talk to your child or other adults during class. This will support your child’s ability to benefit from our musical learning environment.
Rather than giving verbal directions or showing your child how to do things the “right” way, allow your child to experience the class in his or her own way. It can be tough to restrain the impulse to give your child directives such as "Do what she is doing, hold your instrument this way” but children respond best by seeing and hearing you enjoying it yourself!
Wandering toddlers are fine, and some children may choose to learn by watching from a distance. Of course watch out for your child’s safety, but as a parent or caregiver, your primary job is to relax and have fun!
How should we use the Music Together Materials to facilitate learning at home?
Play your CDs at home and in the car as frequently as possible, especially during the first few weeks of class. Listen to your CDs while your child is playing or before nap or bedtime. Use the songbook to learn the songs and play along if you play an instrument. Try using the songbook at storytime instead of a regular book, and sing through the songs while looking at the pictures with your child. Looking at the printed notes on the page will help children understand that music is something that can be read, like words. Exposure to music notation will help them if they later pursue more formal music instruction when they are school aged. The Music Together songbook lists creative “at home” activities to try with each song, and you are encouraged to involve the whole family.
New Music Together parents receive our introductory DVD “Music Together at Home: Helping Your Child Grow Musically”. During class your teacher will refer to topics and point out examples of things covered in the video. We are also happy to discuss your child's individual progress in obtaining musical competence at any time outside of class. If you are a returning student and it has been months or years since you have read the Parent Guide or seen the new DVD, reread it or ask for a copy of the DVD! You may be surprised how valuable it is, especially after having personal experience observing your child's music development.
Where can I buy some of the instruments we have in class?
Instruments are available for purchase for use at home or as gifts directly from Music Together LLC at http://musictogether.com/Store.
Do you offer gift certificates?
Gift certificates for any amount towards Music Together of Vienna classes can be purchased at any time. It makes a nice baby shower or birthday gift. Grandparents love to buy these for holiday gifts. Please contact us at MusicTogetherofVienna@gmail.com in order to purchase a gift certificate.
What are the 2011-2012 Song Collections?
Our 2011-2012 Collections will be Bongos (Fall), Bells (Winter), and Triangles (Spring).
Why is there a curriculum fee for VCC Music Together classes?
The curriculum fee covers a lot more than just songbooks and CDs! It represents the service fee (per family) that we pay to Music Together LLC for the right to use the Music Together program and curriculum. This includes licensing fees and a wide range of services provided by Music Together LLC.
Long time Music Together Families may be going through the curriculum for a second or third time with younger siblings. We encourage you to use your additional songbooks and CDs for your younger child, or to keep a copy at a babysitter's or Grandma's house.
For all locations except the VCC, this curriculum fee (or service fee) is included in the cost of your class. However, we have a slightly different process at the Vienna Community Center. Registration at this location is done directly through the VCC website, and we do not receive the funds by the time that this fee is due to Music Together LLC. Therefore, we must collect this fee in the form of a check on the first day of class.
