Hoff-Barthelson Music School to Host Open House for Young Children's Programs

Parents of children from 9 months (by September 2016) to 5 years of age are invited to attend an Open House for Hoff-Barthelson Music School's Music and Movement Programs for Young Children on Friday, September 9, 2016, from 10:00 am to noon at the Music School, 25 School Lane, Scarsdale. A class demonstration will take place at 10:30 am.

During the Open House, parents and prospective students will meet Hoff-Barthelson's extraordinary early childhood music faculty, experience a Dalcroze Eurhythmics-based music class for young children, chat with current HBMS families, and discuss class options with the HBMS faculty and staff. The School's fall schedule and registration materials will be available at the Open House.

HBMS classes for young children are designed to lay the groundwork for instrumental study. Classes are grouped by age: parent/caregiver and child classes for 1-2 year olds; drop-off classes for 3-4 year olds; "Getting to Know You: Exploring the Instruments" for kindergarteners; and recorder and Suzuki instrumental programs for 5-6 year olds. Aspiring 3 ½-4 year-old violinists can begin early Suzuki studies in the HBMS "Pre-Twinklers" class, a stepping-stone to formal Suzuki training. Classes are limited in size to allow for more individualized attention.

Young children begin to build a strong musical foundation in HBMS classes through singing, focused listening activities, music games, and the playing of rhythm instruments. Progressing through the classes, children acquire a repertoire of songs and explore and experience the elements of music, including beat, rhythmic pattern, pitch, dynamics, and musical phrase.

For additional information, contact Kathryn Kitt at 914-723-1169, kkitt@hbms.org, or visit www.hbms.org.

One of Westchester County's most cherished and active cultural resources, Hoff-Barthelson Music School has achieved national recognition as a premier community music school for its unsurpassed leadership in education, performance and outreach for more than half a century.

Pictured: Hoff-Barthelson faculty member Laura Barnet teaches a music class for young children. Photographed by Steven Schnur.