Hoff-Barthelson Music School Hosts Early Childhood Open Houses

Join in the fun of a music and movement class, and learn about the School’s offerings
Enroll now for Fall Classes at Westchester’s Premier Community Music School

Start the new school year off right – learn all that Hoff-Barthelson Music School’s Early Childhood Program has to offer by attending an Open House on Friday, September 7, 2018, from 10:00 to 11:30 am, or Saturday, September 8, 2018, from 1:30 to 3:00 pm! Children ages 9 months to 5 years and their adults are invited to join in the fun of a music and movement class at 10:30 am on Friday and 2:00 pm on Saturday, followed by a brief Q & A with faculty, and a reception during which you can socialize with other families.

Exercises and games during classes involve singing, moving and improvising; using small percussion instruments to promote inner hearing and rhythmic sensitivity; and working with a variety of whimsical materials to inspire the imagination. Through these activities, our talented faculty members guide young students to develop many of the skills involved in music-making and a joyful bond grows between children and their adults as they listen, sing and move together with the music.

About the Early Childhood Program:
Hoff-Barthelson’s Early Childhood Program catalyzes the development of children’s minds and bodies through Dalcroze Eurhythmics, a renowned teaching method that pairs music and movement. Hoff-Barthelson is known for one of the largest faculties of Dalcroze-trained and -certified teachers in the United States. Even the very youngest children develop focus, spatial awareness, gross motor skills, social skills, and the ability to work with others – all while having fun! Classes are available for parents/caregivers with their children as well as in a “drop-off” format for children who enjoy attending music class independently.

For families interested in taking the first steps in learning to play an instrument, Little Pipers Recorder Classes, Suzuki Pre-Twinklers for Violin and Beginning Ukulele are hands-on classes for older threes and up.  Other offerings include Petite Chorus, an introduction to the world of choral singing and Saturday Songs, a class where children ages 3 and 4 explore musical concepts. These fun, interactive and informative classes are a great way to introduce young children to musical instruction in a social setting with other children of similar ages, and is the perfect first step to private lesson instruction as children get older.

“The classes, grouped by age, are dynamic and interactive,” said Laura Barnet, Early Childhood Music Specialist at Hoff-Barthelson. “Children love music. It is something that they can participate in at a young age; it fosters their complete development.”

A complete listing of available classes and their descriptions can be found at http://hbms.org/young-children.php.

For Additional Information, or to RSVP:
Kathryn Kitt at 914-723-1169; kkitt@hbms.org; www.hbms.org

About Hoff-Barthelson Music School:
Hoff-Barthelson Music School has achieved national recognition as a premier community music school for its unsurpassed leadership in education, performance and community service. With a faculty drawn from the region’s most talented teachers and performers, the School has long been one of Westchester County’s most cherished cultural resources. Whatever a student’s age or level of musical interest, Hoff-Barthelson’s diverse offerings provide the highest quality musical education, personally tailored to his or her specific passions and goals in a supportive and vibrant community.

The Early Childhood Program is made possible, in part, by ArtsWestchester with support from Westchester County Government, and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

Photo credit and caption: Hoff-Barthelson faculty member Laura Barnet teaches an Early Childhood Music Class.  Photographed by Steven Schnur.