When and where are your classes?

We have three 10-week semesters--fall, winter, and spring--and one 6-week summer session each year. Babies' and mixed-age classes meet once weekly for 45 minutes; big kids' classes meet once weekly for 60 minutes. During the fall, winter, and spring semesters, we hold classes in Briarcliff, Chappaqua, Dobbs Ferry, Mount Kisco, Scarsdale, Tarrytown, and Tuckahoe; during the summer, we hold classes in most of these locations. The addresses of our locations are listed above under "Our Locations."

How old do children have to be to start class?

Parents can start their newborns in class as soon as they are comfortable taking their infants out into the world. We have had siblings as young as 1 week of age attend with an older sibling; our youngest independently registered child was 5 weeks old. We believe that children should learn to sing the same way they learn to talk, so the younger they are enrolled, the better!

Why aren't there separate classes for different age groups?

In the 1980s, Music Together^® pioneered the development of the mixed-age approach in early childhood music. In each class we strive to create a musically rich, developmentally appropriate environment where the whole family can enjoy music and nurture skills at the level right for each child. Mixed-age classes--for children from birth through age 5--also provide a rich learning environment because children of different ages thrive when they interact with each other: the babies are often fascinated by the older children, and the "big" children enjoy helping and sharing with the "little" ones. This approach is based on research from music education, early childhood development, and family relationships, as well as Music Together's 20+ years of experience in the field.

However, we do offer 2 other types of classes for specific age groups: babies and big kids. Babies' classes (for children 6 months of age or younger) are designed for parents who want to learn as much as possible about music development in infants, and big kids' classes (for children 5 to 7 years of age) are designed to meet the developmental needs of older children who are gaining independence and mastering their skills and who are ready to take the next steps in their musical development.

How many children are in a class?

Each babies' and mixed-age class has a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 12 registered children plus their adult caregiver(s); each big kids' class has a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 8 registered children with or without adult caregiver(s).

Can I take a trial class before committing myself?

Yes! Free, no-obligation demo classes, available by reservation only, are held before the regular session's classes begin. To reserve a spot for you, we will need your name, your child's name and age, your e-mail address, and your phone number. You can schedule your demo by clicking here.

Can I take one of the current semester's classes as a trial?

No. Because the educational philosophy of Music Together requires that everyone in class be comfortable and used to making music with each other, our current semester's classes cannot be taken as demo classes, even for a fee. All spots in all classes are reserved for registered families; no exceptions will be made.

I want to take a trial class before registering, but I'm afraid that the class I want will fill up before the trial. What should I do?

If you're worried that the class of your choice will be filled up before you take your demo, then the best strategy is to register for the class as soon as possible. If after taking your demo--or at any time before classes begin--you decide to cancel your registration, you will receive a refund of your tuition, minus the $20 nonrefundable registration fee. Tuition cannot be refunded after classes begin.

Do I have to choose a class and attend the same class each week?

Yes, because the educational philosophy of Music Together requires that everyone in class be comfortable and used to making music with each other. However, if you miss a class, you can make it up in another class in any of our locations.

What if I miss a class during the semester?

Families are allowed two make-ups per 10-week semester and one make-up during the summer session. Make-ups may be taken at any Over the Moon Music and More location and are scheduled online, as are make-up cancellations. Make-ups do not carry over from previous semesters. Registered families receive instructions for scheduling and canceling make-ups on the first day of class. If you are already enrolled in a class and want to schedule a make-up, please click here and enter the password "moon" in the box.

I have two children, but there's only one make-up spot available in the class in which I'd like to do a make-up. Can I schedule both children for the spot?

Yes! Although classes with only one available make-up spot are full, we allow families with two children to schedule them for the same make-up because otherwise, these families would have severely limited make-up choices. If you have more than two children enrolled in the program, however, please contact the office about make-up availability.

If my or my child's schedule changes, can I switch to a different class?

Yes, provided that there is room. Please contact Jackie in the office.

Can I join a class after the semester has begun?

Late registration will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Jackie in the office.

What if I need to withdraw from class?

Families who want to withdraw from class must do so before classes begin in order to receive a refund of tuition, less the $20 nonrefundable registration fee. The tuition fee cannot be refunded after classes begin. Families are responsible for class attendance. Nonattendance does not constitute withdrawal from class.

Can I bring my unregistered older child to class?

Throughout the semester, Music Together classes may be in session when older children have a school holiday. Older siblings of registered students may occasionally visit provided that the visit is authorized by Jackie, the center director. Visitation spots are available first come, first served.

Can a grandparent or babysitter take my child to class?

Yes! Any adult caregiver can take your child to class. Each registered family receives 2 identical CDs of the semester's music so that all of your child's caregivers can become familiar with it.

Is it OK for more than one adult to come to class?

Any number of adult caregivers are welcome to attend class at any time; there is no need to ask! Whole-family music-making in your home is extremely valuable to your child's musical development, and attending class occasionally helps the other family members to join in at home.

What should I be doing in class?

Enhance your child's experience in class by remembering to sing, sing, sing! Your active participation is the key to your child's musical growth. Support the creation of a music-only environment while in class by not talking to your child or other adults during class time. Since it is difficult for a young child to screen out adult conversation, please wait until after class to socialize. We need you to contribute to the creation of a musical environment for all the children to absorb.

Try not to give verbal directions to your child. It can be hard to restrain the impulse to say, "Do what the teacher is doing!" or "Hold your instrument this way," but children respond best by watching and listening to you and doing things by themselves. Wandering toddlers are fine, but if you want your child to come back to you, avoid calling to him or her from across the room. If necessary, redirect your child physically back to you or the circle. Please do watch out for your child’s safety, but mostly, we want you to just relax and have fun!

I have a terrible voice, and I'm tone deaf! Why do I have to sing?

You are the role model for your child in all things, including music-making. What your child takes from you in class is your disposition to make music, not the actual skills. If you're engaged musically, your child will take that as a cue to become engaged musically as well. In addition, your child thinks that your voice is the most beautiful sound in the world! Children have neither the capacity nor the interest in judging your musical ability--and neither will anyone else in the class. Our classes are about participation, not performance.

How should we use the Music Together materials?

Play the CD at home and in the car as frequently as possible, especially during the first few weeks of class. Make it available to your child to listen to while playing or before nap or bedtime. Use the songbook to help you remember the songs or to play along if you play an instrument. Try using the songbook at storytime instead of a regular book, and sing through the songs as you go along. Looking at the printed notes on the page will help children understand that music is something that can be read, like words. Familiarization with notation will help them when they are more ready for formal music instruction, typically when they enter elementary school.

New Music Together parents receive our introductory DVD "Music Together at Home: Helping Your Child Grow Musically." During class your teacher will refer to topics and point out examples of things covered in the video. We are also happy to discuss your child's individual progress in obtaining music competence at any time outside class. If you are a returning student and it has been months or years since you have read the Parent Guide or seen the new DVD, reread it or ask for a copy of the DVD today! You may be surprised how valuable it is, especially after having personal experience observing your child's music development.

Can we eat in class?

Please feel free to nurse or bottle-feed your child in class, but no food or drink is allowed in the classrooms.

May I take pictures during class?

We ask that families refrain from taking photos or videos during class time because it distracts the children from the musical activities. However, we welcome the taking of pictures before or after class.

Do you offer individual guitar lessons for children and adults?

No, but we do offer Music Together's Guitar Class for Grownups in order to help caregivers learn their child’s favorite Music Together songs on the guitar! This program is offered exclusively to families whose children are enrolled in one or more Over the Moon Music's classes and to preschool teachers whose classes are enrolled in Music Together Preschool. In class, students learn basic beginner guitar concepts, including simplified chording, so that they may accompany themselves and their families as soon as possible.

Classes are 60 minutes long and meet once weekly for 8 weeks in the fall, winter, and spring; guitar classes are not offered during the summer. Students must bring their own guitar, capo, and current semester songbook. For more information, please contact Jackie in the office.

Do you offer birthday parties?

No; there's no such thing as a Music Together birthday party, because Music Together National does not allow its curriculum to be used for one-off events. However, some of our teachers perform at birthday parties as a sideline, and they are allowed to sing a few of the birthday child's favorite Music Together songs. If you are interested in having a teacher perform at your child's birthday party, please send the party information--date, location, time of the event, time of the musical portion, approximate number of children, and approximate ages of the children--to the office in an e-mail, and it will be forwarded to all of the teachers. Available teachers will then contact the family directly to work out the details.

Teachers usually respond to birthday party queries within a few days, so if no one responds by then, you can assume that no one is available. Please be aware that providing music for birthday parties is not a service that we provide, and that all information is forwarded to teachers as a courtesy to our families. Sending repeated entreaties to the office will not produce an entertainer for your party.

Do you offer gift certificates?

Gift certificates for any amount can be purchased at any time. Please contact Jackie in the office.