Making musical memories

I just have to brag about one of my classes.

Two weeks ago, during the last class of the session, we were in the middle of our free dance. "Palo, palo," was playing, everyone was dancing and singing and having a great time. In the middle of the song, the music stopped. When it didn't immediately start up again, everyone in the class looked up, waited for approximately one second, then continued singing right where the recording had left off. We continued the rest of the free dance with just our voices and it was wonderful. In fact, it was one of my favorite moments of this entire session.

If you've been in Music Together for any length of time, you've heard us say that you are your child's most important music teacher. Hopefully, you've read the parent guide and understand the importance of creating musical moments with you children. We get so used to having music all around us - on the television, on the radio . . . some of it's glorious, and some of it . . . well, I won't get into that. But it's easy, and tempting, to leave the music-making to the pros, to just enjoy listening but forget about creating. What a loss that is! Your voice is so much more important to your child than that of any recorded musician.

I should mention that when we had that wonderful moment in class a couple of weeks ago, the class was on the small side. So there was not the comfort of "hiding" your voice in the crowd. (Not that anyone there needed to hide, it's a great group of singers.) Yet everyone sang enthusiastically and was completely involved with their child. It was music making at its best.

Remember during this busy holiday season that it doesn't take much to make musical memories with your child. Maybe you can turn off the radio in the car and just sing with your kids. Maybe you can take out some instruments (pots and pans included) while you have music on at home and have a "play along." Whatever it is you do, I hope you and your children have a great time making music!

Christy