Families should bring a blanket to sit on each week. We will not be sharing instruments at this time. Therefore, we recommend that each family make their own "music class kit" containing something to shake (shaker eggs, maracas, a small container filled with rice), something to drum (a small drum, bowl, or box), something to click (spoons, rhythm sticks), and something to wave and float (scarves, dish towels, a t-shirt). In addition, bring a few percussive instruments from home (think tambourines, triangles, jingle bells, etc.) for our playalong jam (can be homemade or "found").

We have held outdoor classes in a number of wonderful outdoor spaces. This spring, we will continue to make music in the warmth and shelter of the outdoor patio at the Alberta Street Pub! We look forward to returning to outdoor musical fun under the open skies when the weather is more conducive! Click here for more information about our outdoor locations.

We will meet outdoors, rain or shine! Our sheltered patio space should keep us warm and dry in most weather situations. Should the weather be exceptionally terrible, we will likely move to Zoom, and families will be notified via text or email in a timely fashion. There will be no partial credits or refunds for outdoor classes that move to the Zoom Room due to inclement weather.

Maximum 7-10 families per class, depending on the site. Each family unit should have a max of 4 people, except families with 3 children--2 adults max, please. Each child who is attending class must be enrolled. Sibling fees will apply for outdoor classes. No unregistered children may attend class.

As we are moving back to in-person classes and have to limit our numbers, only children who are registered may attend class at this time. 

More than 1 adult may attend class when class meets outdoors. However, we do ask that each family unit have a max of four people, except families with 3 children--2 adults max, please!

When meeting outdoors, masks will be required during class for adults and children over age 3 whenever 6 feet of distance cannot be maintained. Masks should be worn when arriving and departing class, but are optional while on the family blanket. 

All Music Together of Portland LLC teachers have been vaccinated. We encourage all adults who attend our program to be vaccinated. 

We know that it is not developmentally appropriate to expect children to stay in one place/not wander during class! However, it's essential that we take extra care to keep one another safe during this time. Your teacher will have some tips to help on the first day of class. Keeping a wanderer on your blanket may require some extra patience and creativity! For example, here is one idea some center directors in other parts of the country have found effective. In order to maintain social distancing, each family will be a "fish family" and everyone's blanket will be their fish bowl. If a child wanders toward others, their grownups can quickly swim (maybe even glub-glubbing in their ear) and scoop up their child, bringing them back to their fish bowls for more musical fun.

Music Together^® classes nurture a child’s natural enthusiasm for music and movement. We sing, dance, chant, and play instruments together in an informal setting. Young children get the opportunity to not only learn through play and experimentation but also watch and listen to the grownups they love and look up to. In fact, this modeling is essential to their growth into confident music-makers. But don’t worry, you already have the only skill you’ll need – the desire to play and have fun with your child! Just being there as a role model and sharing the experience is enough to make a powerful difference. Our teachers are specially trained to create a safe atmosphere where you can happily join in, experiment, and even get silly – all while strengthening the bond with your child.

Enhance your child’s experience in class by remembering to sing, sing, sing and follow what the teacher is doing! Your active participation is the key to your children learning and growing musically. The songs, chants and movements are easy and accessible. Don’t worry if you can’t carry a tune – you can give your child a positive music experience simply by participating! Your child does not need to sit on your lap, but should remain on or near your blanket as much as possible. Model positive parenting, make music, and enjoy yourself! Try not to give verbal directions. It can be tough to resist the impulse to give your child directives such as “Do what she is doing, hold your instrument this way” but children respond best by just seeing and hearing you doing (and enjoying) it yourself! Of course, watch out for your child’s safety, but mostly your job is to model the joy of music-making, relax, and have fun!

Play your CD or downloaded music at home and in the car as frequently as possible, especially during the first few weeks of class. Make the CD and downloaded music available to your child to listen to while she is playing or before nap or bedtime. Use the songbook to help you remember the songs or to play along if you play an instrument. Try using the songbook at storytime instead of a regular book, and sing through the songs as you go along. Looking at the printed notes on the page will help children understand that music is something that can be read, like words. Familiarization with notation will help them when they are more ready for formal music instruction, typically when they are school- aged.

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 also 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 child, 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 experience in the field. In addition, we do offer an infant class for non-mobile babies 8 months and under, a Bigger Kid class for the 4 1/2 & 5- year-olds as well, and our new Rhythm Kids^® classes for 5-8-year-olds.