‘Magical Music Mornings’ Will Feature Sarah Smitha and Mick Jeffries
The Fayette Cooperating Preschool is offering a series of free, innovative music classes to young children, ages 2-7, at Hunter Presbyterian Church at 109 Rosemont Garden.
These “Magical Music Mornings” will introduce early learners to the artistry of voice and instrument with play-based instruction from Sarah Smitha of Candy Mountain Music and Mick Jeffries of The Lexingtones Ukulele Group.
A key part of what makes the Magical Music Mornings program innovative is that the main instructional goals are joy and connection.
Young children who are engaged with music and actively participating in singing, moving or playing the ukulele will find that music allows them to be expressive in new ways.
Learning to express feelings through music can be a powerful tool in emotional development. According to the National Association for Music Education, music instruction can help children develop language and reasoning skills, improve their auditory skills, or learn pattern recognition (an important math skill).
When music is introduced during the early childhood years, these lessons can spark curiosity, creativity and imagination. Free admission also makes the program community friendly.
“Offering these classes to the public for free allows families who may not have the means to participate in private music lessons with their young children to have access to a high quality instructional experience,” Fayette Cooperating Preschool Director Mary Brenzel said.
Sarah Smitha of Candy Mountain Music will offer hands-on, interactive experiences.“Offering these classes to the public for free allows families who may not have the means to participate in private music lessons with their young children to have access to a high quality instructional experience,” Fayette Cooperating Preschool Director Mary Brenzel said.
Families who participate will better understand the value of music education and recognize that the term “musician” applies to many people, not just those who play an instrument.
“Hopefully, participants will bring a new sense of wonder and appreciation to music in our local community, and this appreciation will grow to encompass the arts in general,” Brenzel said. “We want to inspire young families to become strong supporters of local arts and artists of all kinds!”
Magical Music Mornings are free thanks, in part, to a grant from the HSG Foundation at Blue Grass Community Foundation.
Local musicians Sarah Smitha and Mick Jeffries are ideal instructors for this program.
Smitha will offer a unique, hands-on, interactive experience in which young children will enjoy songs, dances, movement play and exploration of instruments.
Her goal is to inspire a love of music and build confident, creative children who know that their voices matter.
Over the next four months, musician Mick Jeffries will teach free classes at Fayette Cooperating School.Jeffries is a bon vivant music teacher who uses the culture and intrinsic good nature of the ukulele to encourage creativity through music. He believes that the ukulele is that rare musical instrument that can be a toy, a comfort, a joy, a practice and a passion!
He describes the ukulele as “the instrument with a heart of gold.”
Magical Music Mornings will be offered on the following dates:
- Wednesday, February 19
- Thursday, February 20
- Friday, February 28
To register for one of the Magical Music Mornings, click the link below. Each class will be limited to 12 students so registering early is recommended.
https://coopschool.org/magical-music-mornings/
To register by phone, call Fayette Cooperating Preschool at (859) 276-6350.