Fredonia School of Music announces Pathways to Music

The Musical Journeys Program of the School of Music announces that online registration is now available for Pathways to Music – classes for children ages 6 months through 5 years old. Established in 2010, Pathways to Music offers an exciting opportunity for children and parents to discover the joy of music while singing, moving, listening, dancing and playing.

Designed to be developmentally age-appropriate, each class is for one child and one accompanying parent or guardian. Pathways to Music combines songs, finger plays, dances, bouncing and circle games, vocal and instrument exploration, lullabies and more. What feels like a weekly play group also encourages the development of language, motor, creative and social skills in young children.

Classes are divided into three age groups: Pioneers (ages 6 to 24 months) meeting Saturdays from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m.; Explorers (2 and 3 year-olds) meeting Saturdays from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m.; and Adventurers (4 and 5 year olds) meeting Tuesdays from 6:15 to 7:00 p.m. Total cost for the 10 week course is $95 for Pioneers and $125 for Explorers and Adventurers. All classes are held in the gymnasium of the Campus and Community Children's Center.

Adventurers (Ages 4 & 5): Tuesdays 6:15 - 7:00 p.m.
Feb 20, 27, Mar 6, 20, 27, Apr 10, 17, 24, May 1, 8 - Possible make-up day May 15

Pioneers (Ages 6-24 months): Saturdays 9:30 - 10:00 a.m
Feb 17, 24, Mar 3, 10, 24, Apr 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5 - Possible make-up day May 12

Explorers (Ages 2 & 3): Saturdays 10:00 - 10:45 a.m.
Feb 17, 24, Mar 3, 10, 24, Apr 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5 - Possible make-up day May 12

Modeled after "First Steps in Music" by Dr. John Feierabend of the University of Hartford, the curriculum used for Pathways to Music is a holistic approach to age-specific early childhood music education. Faculty members for Pathways to Music have extensive training and experience. Sonja Inglefield earned a master’s degree in Early Childhood Music Pedagogy from the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore. She spent almost 10 years teaching early childhood music for the Peabody Preparatory and in the Baltimore City Schools before moving to western New York. Kay Barlow has Level 1 Certification from the Center for Music and Young Children and the American Orff-Schulwerk Association, in addition to Master of Music and Bachelor of Music Education degrees. She has been a recipient of the Chautauqua County Early Childhood Award for Excellence in teaching.

"In Pathways to Music, children are encouraged to explore creative expression," says Ms. Inglefield. "Every year, more research confirms the positive influence of music and movement on the healthy development of children." Comments from parents include:

"…a fun way to expose my child to music, beginning at a very young age!"
"…the quality parent-child time is something special I look forward to every week."
"…the songs are a regular part of our days."
"…we look forward to the start of each new semester!"
"…helps put kids well on their way to music appreciation."

Questions? Call or email Ms.Inglefield at 716-673-3599 or Sonja.Inglefield@fredonia.edu.Registration is open. Register online: https://secure.touchnet.com/C21465_ustores/web/classic/product_detail.j…