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The Musical Journeys Program of the Fredonia School of Music announces that online registration is now open for its fall music classes for young children. Now in its sixth year, Pathways to Music presents an exciting opportunity for children and parents to discover the joy of music while singing, moving, listening, and dancing. What seems like a weekly play group actually helps to improve language, motor, creative and social skills. Each Pathways to Music class incorporates songs, finger plays, dances, bounces, circle games, vocal and instrumental exploration, lullabies and more.

Three developmentally age-appropriate classes will be offered this fall: Pioneers (ages 6 to 24 months) All meet Saturdays from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m.; Explorers (2- and 3-year-olds) will meet Saturdays from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m.; and Adventurers (4- and 5-year-olds) will meet Tuesdays from 6:15 to 7:00 p.m. Beginning Sept. 15 and 19, the total cost for the 10-week course is $95 for Pioneers and $125 for Explorers and Adventurers. All classes are designed for one child and one accompanying parent or guardian and will be held in the gymnasium of the Campus and Community Children’s Center.

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, Md. 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.” Parents have made the following comments about the program:

"…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!”

Children can be registered for classes online. For more information about the program, contact Ms. Inglefield at 716-673-3599.