Fall session runs Sept 14-Nov 21. Enroll today! 

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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 and our Rhythm Kids® classes for 4 to 8-year-olds as well.

Each class has 6-12 registered children plus their caregiver(s). Infant siblings 8 months and under do not require an official class seat and do not count toward the class numbers.

Throughout the semester, Music Together classes may be in session when older children have a school holiday and it is natural to want to bring them with you to class. Older siblings of registered students may visit 2 classes per semester. Please inform your teacher when your older child will be visiting, if you have advanced notice! Outside of school in-services and holidays, our policy is that unregistered siblings may attend up to two times per term with a $20 drop-in fee. If subsequent visits need to occur, please contact the office about enrolling your child in the full session. 

Our policy is that the reduced rate (currently $185 for a 10-week session) is for siblings only. Grown-ups may register and bring more than one child to class--we're a family music making program! The reduced price is not meant for cousins of an enrolled child, nanny share situations, friends of an enrolled child or others. Friends and additional family members (other than a parent with more than one child) are encouraged to enroll on their own account. Please reach out if you have additional questions.

You will receive a class confirmation email immediately after you register and pay for your class.

Each family is allowed two makeups per semester. Makeups are available at any location. To schedule a makeup, click on ‘Enrolled Families‘ on the home page of the website. Please note: makeups do not carry over term to term and need to be completed during the current session. Makeups are on a space-available basis and do fill up especially at the end of each term, so please try to book in advance when possible!

Yes, we understand schedules change. However, for class continuity and community building, we can move a child to a different class pending space for the first 4 weeks of the session only. Once we close the term at the end of week four, there are no more class transfers allowed.

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 withdrawal fee. Families are responsible for class attendance. Non-attendance does not constitute a withdrawal, extra makeup classes, or credits for future terms, and all tuition fees are forfeited.

Music Together will prorate tuition through the first 4 weeks of the semester. The cost will automatically be prorated when you enroll. Families do receive two makeup classes per semester. We close the session to new registrations in week 4 of the term.

Please feel comfortable nursing your child in class, but we ask that you not bring food or drink (except for water in a closed container) into the classroom. Fewer distractions in class allow more opportunities for children to engage in musical activities. In addition, we want to protect any children who have allergies to food products such as peanuts or milk.

Multiple parents, grandparents, or caregivers are welcome to attend class at any time – no need to ask. Whole family music-making in your home is extremely valuable to your child’s musical development, and attending class occasionally helps the other family members to join in at home. Please check in advance before bringing visiting children to assure there is space. Guests are encouraged to fully participate as active members of the class.

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—some children may need to move around the room to best experience the music and express themselves musically. Model positive parenting, make music, and enjoy yourself! Try not to give verbal directions. It can be tough to resist the urge to give your child verbal directives such as "do what she is doing" or "play your instrument this way,” but children respond best by just seeing and hearing you doing (and enjoying) class yourself! Of course, keep an eye out for your child’s safety, but mostly your job is to just relax, model the joy of music-making, and have fun!

Play your music digitally through the Music Together app or Family Music Zone®, or listen to your CD or 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.

Instruments are available for purchase for use at home or as gifts directly from the Music Together Worldwide Store.

We ask that cell phone use be extremely limited in class, requesting that they are mostly kept "out of sight, out of mind" to allow for minimal distraction and full adult participation during class! However, we are also aware that the cuteness that happens in class sometimes just demands to be captured and shared! Please discreelty snap a shot or two; then put your phone away and join right back in the music making! Remember, your participation in the music-making essential to your child's growth and development, so keep those hands free as much as possible for clapping, tapping, and expressing the music!

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.

Music Together of Portland uses PPS district’s policy to guide our decisions regarding to weather cancellations. Should the public schools close due to inclement weather, our classes will likely be closed as well. We will alert you to cancellations by text if you have opted in to text alerts, or by email, and on our Facebook and Instagram pages, as well. If a class is cancelled due to inclement weather or teacher illness, we will make every reasonable effort to offer make-up classes, 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 Muisc Together of Portland's closure, we will make every reasonable effort to offer amke-up classes, but we are unable to refund classes that are cancelled for reasons beyond our control. Semester extensions due to class cancellations will be confirmed via email.