It's Here, It's Here, It's Here!

I've completed the Fall 2007 schedule for your viewing. Take a look and see the wonderful opportunities available to you - opportunities to build family, community, your child's development, and all through a REALLY fun and exciting way - MUSIC! Can't wait to see you in just a few weeks... OR, if you're able, come be a part of the July Summer session, beginning the 9th. Click on the link, and certainly feel free to call or email if you have any questions!

Making music matter,
Jen

Just Around the Corner...

I can't believe it's already time to be thinking about Fall, but it is! Tots and Tunes' Fall Schedule will be available no later than Monday, June 25th, so check back for some great opportunities to take part in the world's leading early childhood music and movement program - Kindermusik! Also available, private voice and piano lessons, thematic birthday parties and more. To receive additional information, or for questions, please contact me by email at totsandtunes@hotmail.com or by phone at 874-2110.

Making music matter,
Jen

Go, be with God.

I received some very sad news this evening... well, I should say sad for those of us still here on earth without my sweet friend. The angels, the Lord, and Ms. Christine are rejoicing, I'm sure, as they're sharing time together even as I sit here. Christine came into my life several months ago when I began volunteering at a local nursing home, directing the small "choir" of voices who'd join me in the activities room on Sunday afternoons and on Monday mornings for Kindermusik story times with community children. Ms. Christine would require my reintroduction every time I visited, as her mind was "just not what it used to be," according to her. She would remind me multiple times in a setting that her dear husband worked for Colonial Bread for years, and that she was proud to be from Franklin. She certainly never failed to mention her long affiliation with Una Church Church of Christ, either. But though little pieces of information would come and go in her mind, once we began to sing, her memory would stand at attention and words, along with a beautiful alto voice, would pour out of her like she'd been doing it all her life... and she had. We sang hymns, folk songs, big band music, and the like, with one of her favorites being, "Down By the Old Millstream." She was moved to another facility a short time ago, following a fall. I visited her there, unknowingly, for the final time. She had a really difficult time recalling much of anything. In a new place, with different people, she really struggled. But, we got out our hymnals and opened up to "Blessed Assurance," for one last praise together. It was priceless. Ms. Christine, thank you for sharing your heart and voice, your spirit and your kinds words. I can't wait to see you again someday!

"This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long."

Making music matter,
Jen

I have something to prove...

and I need your help! When I finally determined the name of my company, Tots and Tunes, I knew I needed a tagline to help define it a bit more. I didn't want it to be just about another music class but wanted it to create the idea that music is powerful and life-changing, given various settings, participants, knowledge, and so on. That's why I settled on, Tots and Tunes ~ MAKING MUSIC MATTER. It was as much or more a challenge to myself to find ways to show others the impact music can have on so many as it was an advertising line.

And so, as the title of my post states, I DO have something to prove. Among other things, I want to compile hard data supporting the idea that involvement in a developmental music program, such as Kindermusik, on a regular basis with committed families, can make a tremendous difference on children experiencing developmental delays due to low-income environments and other extinuating circumstances. Beginning in the Fall 2007 semester, I am looking to conduct a series of pilot Kindermusik classes. I would like to host these classes, free of charge, to ten families who want to see a difference in their child with special needs or developmental differences - whether it be verbal, cognitive, social, or physical. It will require a full year's commitment and permission to video-record every class. It will also require families to put this weekly class at the top of their priority list, not missing for just any reason, but working with the other families and myself to support and encourage growth in multiple developmental ways, through the use of music. Other requirements will include family documentation of the use of provided home materials and observations of the expansions of the in-class activities at home. Above all, open communication between myself as the facilitator and the participating families is a must! The class I'm considering is the Family Time option, which is open to multi-aged, multi-children families. We begin with newborns and go up to about age 7, chronologically speaking. Of course, this can be altered and discussed further.

If you have anybody you think might be interested, or if you yourself are interested in more information, please contact me at totsandtunes@hotmail.com. I look forward to continuing with this goal and anxiously await the results in 2008! Not only will I be able to tell others about the difference the use of music can make in lives, but I'll be able to say, "Here! Read and watch it for yourself!" How could you argue with that?

Making music matter,
Jen