Musicians in the Making, an early childhood music program, brings music to young children in West Windsor and Plainsboro. Linda Fields, a longtime West Windsor resident, acted on her vision of filling a piano studio with classes for younger children. “The years since 1993 have been a wonderful journey,” she says. “We have seen children come to us as toddlers, barely matching pitch, and over the years they have developed into competent pianists, earning blue ribbons in piano festivals — true musicians in the making.”
Fields, who has her master’s degree in piano from the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, is level III certified by the Early Childhood Music and Movement Association, and has national certification by the Music Teachers National Association. “The program is unparalleled in how it trains the body and the ear, leading solidly to music literacy at the appropriate age,” she says. “In addition, its emphasis on the world of nature and on family music-making resonates perfectly with our goals of wholesome, environmentally-focused activities.”
Fields offers free family music parties several times a year to provide a music-making opportunity geared to children age six and under and their families. “This is something that is rare in our current culture, and yet it is one of the most significant and healthy ways parents can impact their children’s lives,” says Fields. “The most important component for musical development is the home environment. How interested and involved the parents are bears directly on the interest and involvement of the child, from infancy all the way through formal instrumental study.”
“When children have a repertoire of very familiar songs that have been explored and experienced in many ways from infancy, by age seven, most children are ready to transfer from pitched and unpitched rhythm instruments to the piano,” says Fields. “Having experienced the essence of music from the very beginning, these students show an innate sense of artistry and confidence in projecting musical ideas.”
Register at 609-750-0600 or visit www.musiciansinthemaking.com for upcoming free events.
Open House, Musicians in the Making, 666 Plainsboro Road, Building 500, Suite 505, Plainsboro. Tuesday, August 16, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Musikgarten demo classes for ages birth to six years and their family.
Open House, Musicians in the Making, Prince of Peace Church, 177 Princeton-Hightstown Road, West Windsor. Wednesday, August 17, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Musikgarten demo classes for ages birth to six years and their family.
Ask the Expert, Musicians in the Making, 666 Plainsboro Road, Building 500, Suite 505, Plainsboro. Thursday, September 1, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For parents to ask Linda Fields, a nationally certified teacher of music, questions about early childhood music.
