Making music together
Don Descoteau Music Together Victoria instructors gather for an impromptu kazoo performance at Willows Park in Oak Bay.
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Updated: July 20, 2009 9:03 AM
Looking as relaxed as a 10-month-old child can in a sea of big people, Annika Akeroyd cheerfully shakes a pair of baby-sized maracas in Oak Bay's Willows Park.
When she looks to switch to a set of marimbas, she is met with a serious look from Graham O'Neill, whose 14-month-old hands have a determined grip on a pair of mallets.
Celebrating the making of music together in a social setting by parents and their young children, families are gathered in the park as part of Music Together Victoria.
The program, offered through four area recreation centres aims to instill an early love for music in children and encourage parents to make music in the home a staple of their children's developmental years.
Michelle O'Neill, Graham's mother, remembers taking piano lessons and playing in the school band during her younger years. In the hustle and bustle of daily life and starting a family, however, participating in music was relegated to the background, she said.
"This kind of brought it back," O'Neill said of the program, which sees parents with children from newborn to age five gather weekly for 45 minutes of singing, instrument playing and music-based play activities.
"It kind of teaches you to loosen up and not be so conscious about your voice. (If you) just have fun with the music, the kids pick up on that."
Music lessons for children are available around the region, and some programs allow for parental involvement. Rare, however, are the programs – especially those geared for infants and toddlers – which focus more on the parents' role than simply giving adults the opportunity to experience their child's lessons with them.
"The best thing that parents can do for their children in this age range is sing to them, dance with them and engage in active music making," said Jennifer Roy, a Victoria Conservatory of Music-trained instructor who has led the program for seven years.
While the classes offer fun interaction, she said, the magic often begins at home.
"We don't expect anything of the children in class, but parents are just amazed at what happens at home. It's amazing when a parent realizes just how powerful their influence is on their child and how important it is to be the vehicle for their child."
Yuri Akeroyd, Annika's father, said music is a big part of their daily routine. He and wife, Julie, incorporate songs from a CD included with the program to soothe Annika at bedtime.
The classes, which include singing and dancing along to songs and learning to use percussive instruments, have been a positive experience, he added.
"With all the noises and the other kids, it's a nice intro to music. It's a pretty casual setting where they can crawl around and play."
The program's success can be measured in how many former participants are still involved in music – Roy proudly said many are.
It seems the secret is less about keeping kids occupied, and more teaching parents it's OK to act silly and have fun with music as a way to give their children a lifetime gift.
editor@oakbaynews.com
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