Music program to be offered in the fall

NEWTON — Five and six-year-old children who are interested in music are invited to participate in the new Musikgarten program offered by the Children’s Chorus of Sussex County on Wednesdays, from 4:30–5:20 p.m., at Christ Church in Newton.

Classes are scheduled to begin in early September. Parents are encouraged to participate in the last 10 minutes of each class. The program will be directed by professional pianist and early childhood music and movement specialist Diana Greene.

Musikgarten is an early childhood music and movement program which teaches the fundamentals of music through singing, movement and guided listening. Simple instruments are incorporated into each lesson.

Diana Greene, was recently elected First Vice-President/ President-Elect of the Early Childhood Music & Movement Association (ECMMA) at their 2014 biennial convention. ECMMA seeks to promote the best practices in all areas of early childhood music and movement and supports early childhood music and movement practitioners with resources, advocacy, professional development, and collaboration opportunities. Ms. Greene holds Level 2 certification from ECMMA and is a licensed and certified Musikgarten instructor.

“The Musikgarten program provides a foundation for children to grow musically as well as cognitively, emotionally and socially,” Greene said. “The curricula teaches active listening, develops balance, control and coordination, encourages social interaction and stimulates the imagination. It is a developmentally appropriate activity for young children, and also a great start for children who may wish to progress into choral and instrumental programs."

The Musikgarten program will be offered as a new component of The Children’s Chorus of Sussex County, a comprehensive choral music program which serves school-age children in and around Sussex County.

Three separate ensembles perform under the umbrella of the Children’s Chorus of Sussex County: Bel Canto for beginning singers in grades 1–4, Bella Voce for intermediate singers in grades 5–8, and Concert Choir for advanced singers in grades 7–12. Auditions are not required for the Musikgarten program, although they are required for participation in the three choirs.

All rehearsals for the Children’s Chorus of Sussex County, as well as the new Musikgarten program for children in kindergarten and first grade, take place at Christ Church, 62 Main Street in Newton.

To register a child for the Musikgarten program, or to schedule an audition for the Children’s Chorus of Sussex County, visit www.ccscsings.org.