What is Music Together®? Music Together® is a music and movement approach to early childhood music development for infants, toddlers and preschoolers and their parents and other primary caregivers. It is based on the premise that all children are musical and have the same innate ability to learn music as language. At Music Together we believe that all children can learn to sing in tune, keep a beat, and participate with pleasure and confidence in musical activities. Originally offered to the public in 1987, this program pioneered the concept of a research-based, developmentally appropriate early childhood music curriculum that strongly emphasizes and facilitates adult involvement. It began as an educational project of the Center for Music and Young Children in Princeton, New Jersey, and is now being taught internationally. Founded in 1985 by Kenneth K. Guilmartin, CMYC is committed to helping families, caregivers, and early childhood professionals rediscover the pleasure and value of informal, non-performance-oriented musical experiences, especially during the early childhood years which are critical for developing basic music competence. Music Together CD’s, songbooks, and classroom techniques enjoy widespread use by teachers and families both directly and indirectly involved in Music Together.      Music Together of Charm City began as Musical Beginnings in January, 1999.  Parents have said:“[My son] asks for music class every morning!” "The songs are great for parents, too!" "[My daughter] sings ALL THE TIME, calling on her five CD repertoire and improvising freely." “We’ve had so much fun at music class…sometimes it has  seemed almost magical!” “I'm amazed at how much he absorbs from class! As soon as we get home he plays 'music class' and re-creates most of the class activities.”     Program Objectives Music Together®emphasizes active participation by the parent/caregiver - regardless of training - in helping to create an environment which enhances the child’s musical development.  Because learners learn in different ways, Music Together provides a variety of approaches to the exploration of music.  The program supports the development of pitch and rhythm by providing musical experiences such as listening, singing, chanting rhythmic rhymes, improvisation, experimenting with movement, and exploring musical instruments.  The program fosters the enjoyment of music by making the activities fun. Music Together provides a relaxed, playful, non-performance-oriented environment which respects and nourishes the child’s developmental needs.Children are expected to experience the music in whatever way suits them, whether by participating or observing.  Music Together activities also serve to strengthen the child’s physical, emotional, and intellectual development.  Most of all, Music Together aims to make music a natural part of children’s lives.  For further information about Music Together, visit the national website at: www.musictogether.com