So many videos, so little time... - Thursday, December 18, 2008

I love to share video an audio, and so much about the two are nostalgic this time of the year...

Why Kindermusik? Some parent perspectives... -

In this uncertain economy, our family has decided to give the best kind of gifts this holiday season by continuing to invest in our children's education through Kindermusik. It's really a gift for the whole family (even when Sophie wants us to do the same activity over and over and over again!)

The videos in this playlist should help you to gain a better understanding from other Kindermusik parents just what makes our program so great. We hope you'll join us for the spring semester (or anytime, really!)

Funny on the internet... - Wednesday, December 17, 2008

If you're unfamiliar with the term "LOLcat" then you should google it and enjoy the strange phenomenon. Anyway, I came across this one today. :)

Register for Spring 2009 Kindermusik classes to reserve your spot in class! - Sunday, December 14, 2008

Register Now for Spring 2009 Kindermusik

BEGINS MONDAY FEBRUARY 2nd!

Classes in Friendswood (77546)
& Pearland (77581 and 77584)

Ms. Tabby is pleased to announce her Spring 2009 schedule for Kindermusik classes at Harmony Music Studio and the Westside Events Center in Pearland.

Village ~ Newborn to 1 1/2 years with parent ~ Hickory, Dickory, Tickle, & Bounce / Rhythm Of My Day

Hickory, Dickory, Tickle and Bounce is focused on further feeding a baby’s language development through the rhythmic nature of nursery rhymes. You and your child will also discover plenty of implied movement activities throughout the semester with many additional movement concepts - like up and down - incorporated into the literature book. Favorite songs and activities from Hickory, Dickory, Tickle and Bounce include “Peek-a-boo,” “Baa Baa Black Sheep,” “Beat the Drum,” “Roll That Ball,” “Sulla Lulla” and “The Blackbird.”

Rhythm Of My Day - This class will help you bring more rhythm and routine to your baby’s day, as well as help develop lasting learning skills. We’ll show you how and tell you why music can help your little one soothe into the day’s schedule and help build a strong body and mind network for learning. You can bring home those same stress-free play and relaxation techniques from class, and incorporate them into your daily routines. Home Materials include The Rhythm of My Day — a colorful picture board book with class themes, CD of beautifully arranged songs from class, a set of Art Banners and an instrument for music-making at home.

Our Time ~ 1 1/2 to 3 1/2 years with parent ~ Fiddle-dee-dee


This unit takes its name from the beloved folk song about the fly who married the bumblebee and the theme of “fiddling around” is present all throughout the semester. Creatures from the animal kingdom, whether furry, web-footed, winged or whiskered are explored in this unit. The two literature books are Piggy Played the Fiddle and Animal Serenade. Fiddlesticks are a one-of-a-kind Kindermusik instrument that can be rattled, rolled, tapped and fiddled with to create fun sounds and play possibilities.

Imagine That ~ 3 - 5 years with 10 minute "Sharing Time" ~ Cities! Busy Places, Friendly Faces


This unit transports your child into a city, where ordinary sounds and sights on the street make a musical ensemble. People shuffle their feet to a 4/4 beat. Street musicians serenade and sing. Clock towers boom, bellow and ring. The class will create a city that’s familiar, yet like no other. Using visual tools and home activities, children will transform the classroom, build a city out of handcrafted “buildings” and walk down sidewalks made of masking tape and freezer paper. The two literature books are Razupatu Toto and Down Our Street. Resonator Bars are the featured instrument.



Young Child Semester 2 ~ 5-7 years / Kindergarten & 1st Grade with 10 minute "Sharing Time" ~ Semester 2

Semester 2 focuses on concepts such as piano/forte, crescendo/decrescendo and legato/staccato as students explore string and woodwind instruments, notation, and even a bit of Beethoven. Children will apply their new knowledge of aural skills and reading and writing music notations as they further develop their glockenspiel skills.

New students are accepted into Young Child 2 without having taken Young Child 1. There is a lot of built in review in Young Child 2 for the benefit of new students, as well as returning students.




Young Child Semester 4 ~ continuing students only ~ Contact Ms. Tabby for enrollment details.

Semester 4 focuses on verse and refrains, solos and chorus, and music form (ABA and rondo). Students also review notation, rhythms, treble clef and the complete C scale while exploring the sounds of wind instruments with the introduction of the recorder and continuing with the glockenspiel.

New students are NOT accepted in Young Child 4 due to the sequential nature of the Young Child course. Children must have taken at least one previous semester of Young Child to attend Semester 4.


Please note: This was also posted on the KMfamilies mailing list. To receive notices about Kindermusik via email, please sign up here.

Christmas Boomwhackers -

Important announcements from Harmony Music Studio - Friday, December 12, 2008

Dear Studio Families,

We have two winter concerts this Saturday, December 13th at 10:30 am and 12:00 pm. If you are performing but don't know which recital you're in, please contact Ms. Margo to get your time. If you'd like to see the students perform, *please join us at San Jacinto College South Campus (BEAMER RD)* in the Music Building.

Ms. Tabby is starting a separate email *announcement list for Kindermusik* families. Please email kindermusik at harmonymusicstudio.com if you'd like to be added to that list. She will be sending out an announcement for the spring semester and early enrollment discounts to that
list this weekend.

Following the CCISD school calendar, *Harmony Music Studio will be closed from Monday, December 22nd to Saturday, January 3rd.* There will be no lessons or kindermusik classes during this time. We will reopen for 2009 on Sunday, January 4th.

*Tuition for January lessons should be paid this week* if you wish to reserve your lesson time for January. You can pay with a post-dated check for January 1st at the reception desk or drop it in the payment box. We no longer accept paypal payments for tuition. We can take your credit or debit payment at the reception desk, over the phone, or set up a monthly automatic payment for you. Please see the receptionist or Ms. Margo to set up an auto-billing subscription. *We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover card.*

Your prompt tuition payment reserves your lesson time in advance for the month. Failure to pay your tuition on or before January 1 could cause you to lose your reserved lesson time. January is one of the busiest times of the year for us at Harmony Music Studio, and we have a waiting list of students who are eager for the next available lesson time. *Please secure your lesson time by paying your tuition in a timely manner.*

We know that most of you take the study of music very seriously and pay your tuition promptly because you understand and respect your teacher, and know that their time is valuable, and that he or she deserves to be paid for the time they spend working with you. We appreciate the consideration of the families who follow the studio's policies and pay on time without complaint. However, due to issues we have had with several families who have a history of late payments, *students who continue to pay tuition late will be required to add a security deposit* matching the amount of their monthly tuition beginning in January 2009. Please be responsible and pay your tuition on time.

Registration fees for 2009 are due starting January 1st. Students who did not pay the $50 registration fee in August 2008 must pay this fee for the new year. Fees are assessed in January and July, depending on when you enrolled. If you are unsure when you paid your fees last, please ask the receptionist or contact the studio at 281-992-9800 or email msmargo at harmonymusicstudio.com to check your records.

If you wish to withdraw from lessons at Harmony Music Studio, please fill out a withdrawal form at the reception desk this week. Students withdrawing after December 22 will be billed for January. Please be courteous and notify us in advance if you intend to withdraw so we can schedule the teachers for January 2009.

We look forward to seeing you for the spring. We'll be jumping right in to January with only 8 weeks to the 1st weekend of Gold Cup, so please encourage your students to practice over the holiday break! Also keep an eye out for an ensemble recital this spring. Have a safe and happy holiday.

Sincerely,
Harmony Music Studio

--
281-992-9800
Harmony Music Studio - "Where the Gift of Music Lasts a Lifetime!"
Serving our community since 1986
http://www.harmonymusicstudio.com

Holiday music with a twist... - Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Holiday Caroling with Ms. Tabby - Monday, December 8, 2008

Holiday Caroling with Ms. Tabby
(You’re invited! The more the merrier!)
Host: Ms. Tabby
Where: Ms. Tabby’s House
(RSVP for the address!)
When: Sunday, December 21
5:00 pm
Phone: 713-306-4023
RSVP to: tabbyfoo@gmail.com

We had a conflict come up (don't we always!?) and so I've changed it from the 20th to the 21st. Hope you can come! Join us for some holiday cheer! We'll wander the neighborhood and sing to the neighbors, then come home to visit with friends and share in some hot cider (wassail) and cocoa. Caroling books will be provided, but please bring your own flashlight!