Why Musikgarten?

In Musikgarten, we are not trying to create tiny musical prodigies or mini-Mozarts. Our mission is to develop in children a lifelong love of music, and give them the competency to take that love and develop it however they wish!

If your child wants to try the clarinet in middle school, she will easily be able to tell if she is playing in tune.

If your child wants to learn guitar so he can be in a rock band, he will easily hear the subtle differences between the different types of strumming and rhythms.

If your child wants to join a church choir when she is an adult, she will have no problem singing in tune and hearing her part.

If your child decides, at the age of 60, that he has always wanted to play piano, he will be able to hear the connections between the notes and chords.

Musikgarten gives children a strong musical foundation that they will keep their entire lives. While it is possible to teach these skills later, they will never come as easily as they do in early childhood. Don’t miss out! There are too many people in the world who love music, but feel like they can only listen. Give your child the gift of musical literacy, and they will never lose it!

There are many early childhood music programs available. I chose to teach Musikgarten because:

Musikgarten provides a sequential approach to teaching children. A great deal of thought has gone into each level of Musikgarten classes, so that as a child goes through our program they continually add musical layers to familiar songs.

Musikgarten curricula uses folk, classical and traditional children’s music. The original curriculum was incredibly well thought out years ago, wonderful musical arrangements were made to complement it, and ever since then the founders have essentially left it alone. Musikgarten doesn’t pump out hundreds of new songs a year, but instead focuses on making sure the songs they do have are of a quality any professional musician would be proud to listen to and teach.

Musikgarten focuses on the natural world. All our instruments are made of beautiful, natural materials. Many of our songs and listening experiences help children experience birds, farm animals, the seasons, insects and other themes from nature that they will naturally encounter. Musikgarten is very proud to have been “green” before it was popular!

Musikgarten recordings cannot be matched in quality. Every sound you hear on a Musikgarten CD is a natural sound. A flute is a flute, a violin is a violin, and a grasshopper is a grasshopper. The arrangements were done by  Howard Baer, an award winning composer who understands children. As a musician, I do not get tired of listening to Musikgarten CD’s. I cannot say the same, unfortunately, about most children’s music I have encountered.

Musikgarten educators have a passion for making sure your children receive music education of the highest possible quality. All the way up the ladder, Musikgarten teachers are so excited about the musical potential young children have. I hope you will take advantage of this brief time to make sure your children have musical skills they will keep for life!

Musikgarten teaches children music the same way they learn language. Children know a language best when they have spoken it from day one. If your child is surrounded by music from early on, it will come much more naturally to them as they grow older. The Musikgarten curriculum incorporates basic patterns which are the “phonics” of music. As children learn these patterns, they will recognize them when listening to music and when learning to play music later.

Musikgarten alumni are well prepared to learn an instrument. Because they have learned to listen well and have learned the building blocks of music at an early age, instruments come very naturally to them.

Musikgarten classes give parents many tools to share music with their child. Even after the first class, you will have activities you can easily try at home, in line at the grocery store, or in the car. You will be delighted after a few weeks when your child initiates an activity we have done in class, showing that they are making the music “their own.”

Musikgarten provides  you and your child with special one-on-one time you both will cherish. These classes promote bonding and intimacy that all too hard to come by in the middle of your daily routines.

Musikgarten understands how music helps organize our brains. In class, your child will learn to respond to music, keep a steady beat and start to match pitch. Once children have these skills, they keep them for their entire lives.

Musikgarten classes are fun! Your child will look forward to music day, and you will see their natural love for music and dance flourish.