Community Music School
Early Childhood (ages 0–5)
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Musical Beginnings (ages 0–3)
Musical Beginnings is a class for children 0 to 3 and their caregivers to allow children to learn music as a native language at the time when the brain is most ready for language development. Did you know many children will match pitch and copy rhythms before they are able to form words? In the first few years of life, the brain begins to shed unused neural pathways intended for language including pitch matching, complex rhythmic patterns, modal tonalities, etc. This is believed to be the reason it is much harder to learn music as an adult than as a child. By teaching how to sing in tune, move in time, and to audiate (to hear music internally), Musical Beginnings prepares children for any future musical studies they choose to pursue.
Musical Beginnings activities are based on the research of Edwin Gordon, who has written extensively on brain development and early childhood music education.
Musical Beginnings Details
Includes: Twelve 30-minute group lessons.
Instructor: Katie Cross
Dates:
- Fall 2025: Mondays, 5:15–5:45 p.m. (Mondays are Full) or Fridays, 10:30-11:00am, Week of September 15 through week of December 8. No class November 24 for Thanksgiving. Makeup class December 15 (if teacher misses). Visit the calendar for details. Classes may be combined if too few students have registered for a particular class.
- Spring 2026: Mondays, 5:15–5:45 p.m. or Fridays, 10:30-11:00am, week of January 26 through week of April 20. No class on March 23 (Spring Break). Makeup class April 27, (if teacher misses). Visit the calendar for details. Classes may be combined if too few students have registered for a particular class.
Location: Community Music School - 315 E. College St., Oberlin
Tuition: $120 per semester
Enrollment: A minimum of 6 children is needed in order to hold the class.
MusicPlay (ages 3–5)
MusicPlay, a program for children ages 3 to 5, introduces a variety of musical concepts through singing, moving, listening, describing, analyzing, and creating. Important social skills such as listening and sharing are developed in a nurturing environment. Classes are limited to 12 students.
Parents will observe MusicPlay classes and learn techniques for musical interaction that can be used at home or in a child-care setting.
MusicPlay Details
Includes: Twelve 45-minute group lessons.
Instructor: Katie Cross
Dates:
- Fall 2025: Tuesdays, 5:00-5:45p.m. (5:00pm is Full) - OR - 6:00-6:45p.m., September 16 through December 9. Makeup class December 16 (if teacher misses). Visit the calendar for details.
- Spring 2026: Tuesdays, 5:00-5:45p.m. - OR - 6:00-6:45p.m., January 27 through April 21. No class on March 24 (Spring Break). Makeup class April 28 (if teacher misses). Visit the calendar for details.
Times: 5:00 - 5:45 p.m. and 6:00 - 6:45p.m.
Location: Oberlin Conservatory, Bibbins Hall Room 237 (Fall); Bibbins Hall Room 233 (Spring) - 77 W. College St., Oberlin
Tuition: $150 per semester