Community Music School

Early Childhood (ages 0–5)

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Musical Beginnings (ages 0–3)

Photo Credit: Dale Preston ’83

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 2023: Mondays, 5:15–5:45 p.m. and 5:45pm-6:15pm, September 16 through December 2. Makeup class December 9 (if teacher misses). Visit the calendar for details. Classes may be combined if too few students have registered for a particular class.
  • Spring 2025: Mondays, 5:00–5:30 p.m. and 5:45pm-6:15pm, January 27 through April 21. No class on March 24 (Spring Break). Makeup class April 28, (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)

Instructor and toddlers on the floor
Photo Credit: Julie Gulenko '15

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 2024: Tuesdays, 5:00-5:45p.m. - OR - 6:00-6:45p.m., September 17 through December 3. Makeup class December 10 (if teacher misses). Visit the calendar for details.
  • Spring 2025: Tuesdays, 5:00-5:45p.m. - OR - 6:00-6:45p.m., January 28 through April 22. No class on March 25 (Spring Break). Makeup class April 29 (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