Fall session registration is now under way! Session runs Sept 15-Nov 22. We hope you can join us! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Bring your two most important instruments--your voice and your body! Your teacher will provide musical props and instruments for the class, which will be sanitized by the teacher between classes and/or at the end of the day.

We are making music in large classroom spaces, with open windows and good cross-ventilation, using state-of-the-art air purifiers with HEPA filters. Check out our indoor class sites here.  

Maximum 10-12 children per class, depending on the size of the classroom. All children attending must be enrolled. No exceptions. 

Our policy is that the reduced rate is for siblings enrolled in the same class. Meaning, grown-ups may register and bring more than one of their children to class--we're a family music making program! This reduced price is not meant for cousins of an enrolled child, nanny share situations, friends of an enrolled child or others. We ask that friends and additional family members (other than a parent with more than one child) enroll on their own account. Please reach out if you have additional questions. 

Sometimes an older sibling (or an unregistered sibling) needs to attend class with you. No problem! Our policy is that unregistered siblings may attend one class per session for free. A second visit is $20. If subsequent visits need to occur, please contact the office about enrolling your child in the full session.

All classes meet once a week, and all class types (Mixed-Age, Rhythm Kids®, and Babies) are 45 minutes.

We are currently offering only mask-optional classes. Masks are not required in mask-optional classes, but are always welcome! Please contact us with any questions or concerns about this policy.  

Our classroom spaces allow room to spread out. For certain activities in class, such as a group circle dance, families may choose to move in a bit closer, or to stay in their family spot and modify movements accordingly. Please feel free to reach out if you need assistance choosing a class for your family!

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 music collection at home and in the car as frequently as possible, especially during the first few weeks of class. Make the music available to your child to listen to while they are playing or before nap or bedtime. Use the illustrations in the songbook to help you remember the songs or to improvise new lyrics by singing about what you see. 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 a Babies class for non-mobile babies 8 months and under and a Rhythm Kids® class for 4 to 8-year-olds.

Join us for the next one to expand your musical repertoire with a variety of new songs and chants and continue on your child's path of incredible growth and learning! A different song collection is used each semester—there are nine different Music Together song collections, and 8 unique Rhythm Kids® collections! The curriculum is designed to allow families to continue classes throughout early childhood and beyond. You and your child will learn hundreds of new songs! We hope every family will join in the musical fun for years to come.  

You will receive a class confirmation email immediately after you register and pay for your class. If you think you've registered, but you have not received your class confirmation, please contact Julie ([email protected] ) for assistance.

Yes. We understand schedules change. However, for class continuity and community building, we can move a child to a different class pending space availability for the first 4 classes of the session only. 

No refunds are given after the session begins. If you cancel before the session start date, you are eligible for a refund, minus a $25 administrative fee. Families are responsible for class attendance. Non-attendance does not constitute a withdrawal, extra make-ups, or credits for future terms, and all tuition fees are forfeited.

Music Together of Portland will pro-rate tuition through the first 4 classes of the semester. The cost will automatically be pro-rated when you enroll. We will close the session to new registrations after Week 4 of the term.

Gift certificates for any amount towards classes can be purchased at any time. They are a wonderful baby shower or birthday gift! Grandparents love to buy these for holiday gifts. Let us know if you would like it sent directly to the recipient or to the purchaser. Anyone can buy one online by clicking here.

There will be make-up classes available throughout the session for families who miss a class due to travel, illness, etc. Each family is allowed 2 make-up classes per session. Make-ups can be scheduled through the Family Portal on the Enroled Families section of the website. Make-up classes have limited availability and are not guaranteed. If a class is cancelled due to inclement weather or teacher illness, we will make every reasonable effort to provide a make-up class, based on teacher and classroom availability. There will be no refunds or credits given for missed classes. In the event of a natural disaster or community crisis requiring Music Together of Portland's closure, we will make every reasonable effort to offer make-up classes, but we are unable to refund classes that are cancelled for reasons beyond our control. We tend to follow PPS to inform inclement weather cancellation decisions. We will notify families via text and email as soon as possible should any class change or cancellation occur. Be sure to opt in to text notifications and check emails and texts the morning of class!