Bloom! Music and Movement Centre opened its doors for business this month. The main focus of the centre is to help children appreciate music and become musical. Bloom! will offer Music Together® classes for children 0 – 5, Music Together® Big Kids for children 5 – 7, Homeschool Strings for children 8 – 12, and private violin, viola, and cello instruction from the owner and music teacher Sarah Case. Ms. Case has been teaching children to become musical (musical meaning to sing in tune and keep a steady beat) for years in Central Ohio, and is excited to offer children and families a familiar place where they can learn about rhythm, rhyme, and melody. Bloom! Music and Movement Centre is located at 1890 Northwest Boulevard in Upper Arlington and is offering a plethora of classes for fall.
Music Together programs are designed for families. Sessions are 10 weeks long and about 45 minutes in length. Caregivers and their children learn songs, chants, rhythm and rhyme, dance, play instruments, and learn to be musical in a playful way. Information is sent home that includes everything learned in class, and even 2 CDs containing all the music – one for the car and one for home use. The program is set up to keep children musical, even outside of class.
Each song, chant, rhythm or rhyme has a purpose. A song may have 2 beats, a major or minor sound, or even a song or melody that is familiar to a child. Ms. Case finds that even the adults get excited singing old faves such Simon and Garfunkel’s “Scarborough Fair” or dancing to “Grease Lightening,” and children love playing with the instruments. Children and adults are encouraged to be themselves, and if the very young ones lose focus that is fine. The fact that the children are immersed in a musical setting is what is most important during the younger years.
Homeschool Strings is a beginning class offered for children who want to play a stringed instrument. In a group setting, kids will learn music basics through games and movement exercises. Private instruction is offered for kids who want to stick with it…get it? Stick with it? Nevermind….
Columbus has a thriving music community for adults and children alike. Children can be introduced to music at very young ages, even as new born babies. Ms. Case stated that, “all children are born musical, but it is how and if you nurture it.” She also said “it is in the early years that children develop musical aptitude, and that by 8 or 9 kids plateau in their ability to reach full potential to sing in tune and keep a steady beat.” Basically, music won’t come as naturally to children who are older and just learning or experiencing music. Start them young.
Parents or caregivers – test it out with the kids and see if you like it. Take advantage of some of the free Music Together classes offered this September or register for fall session. Registration and tuition information can be found at www.bloommusicandmovement.com or call Sarah Case at 614-327-1534. *Tuition varies by class and if there are additional siblings.
Kristin Marks is a Columbus Underground contributor, and can be found blogging about kid-friendly activities in Central Ohio over at cbusmom.com. She can be reached at [email protected].
