WEATHER ANNOUNCEMENT

Tuesday, August 5th.

Our afternoon and  evening classes WILL meet today. If you do not feel safe coming today, do not come, but rather call the office and let us know.  If enough people do not want to come today, we can add a class to the third week of August.

Wed. 9:30 OT, Wed. 11:20 Village, Wed. 6:15 OT, Thur. 10:20 OT are options this week

Research Encourages Focus on Music and the Arts to Enhance

Early Childhood Development

Music Research

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2002, states, "Studying music encourages self discipline and diligence traits that carry over into mathematics, science, foreign languages, civics and government, economics, arts, history and geography."  Research supports that music helps prepare the mind for specific disciplines of learning; skills learned through music carry over into study skills, communications skills, cognitive skills and abstract reasoning skills useful to all parts of life, according to a 1997 article in Neurological Research.

The Mozart Effect

Don Campbell, author of "The Mozart Effect," traced neurological development during childhood and found prior to a major spurt of neural integration in the brain during the elementary school years, learning occurs through movement and quick emotional associations.  For example, by age two, the brain has begun to fuse with the body via marching, dancing, and developming a sense of physical rhythm.  The more music children are exposed to before they enter school, the more deeply this stage of neural coding will assist them throughout their lives.

Parental Involvement

Findings from a study conducted by three researchers at Sam Houston University in Huntsville, Texas reports that early music training can improve intelligence, and the amount of parental involvement in the music training can greatly affect the amount of improvement.  Strong correlations were found between musical abilities in young children, particularly the ability to match vocal pitches and reproduce rhythmic patterns and abstract reasonging abilities.

School-aged Children

Arts education makes a tremendous impact on the developmental growth of every child and has proven to help level the "learning field" across socio-economic boundaries, states the involvement in the Arts and Success in secondary School, James S. Catterall, The UCLA Imagination Project, Graduate school of Education & Information Studies, UCLA, Americans for the Arts Monograph, January 1998.

Community-based Arts

Findings from the Living the Arts Through Language + Learning: A Report on Community-Based Youth Organizations, shirley Brice Heath, Stanford University and Carnegie Foundation For the Advancement of Teaching, Americans for the Arts Monograph, November 1998 reports that:

Young people who participate in the arts for at least three hours a day, three days a week for at least one year are:

• 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement.
• 3 times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools.
• 4 times more likely to participate in a math and science fair.
• 3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance.
• 4 times more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem.

Young artists, as compared with their peers, are likely to:

• Read for pleasure nearly twice as often.
• Perform community service more than four times as often.
• Participate in youth groups nearly four times as frequently.
• Attend music, art and dance classes nearly three times as frequently.

Kindermusik of The Woodlands is named

#10 program in the world, #1 in Texas for 2008

Kindermusik International recently announced the prestigious Maestro Awards for 2008.  There are two Maestro Producer awards, one for Maestro Mezzanine, which is for the top 5% of Kindermusik educators wordwide; and the other is the Maestro Conductor award which is for the top 1% of Kindermusik educators worldwide.  Nancy Hall and Kindermusik of The Woodlands were named as a Maestro Conductor program.  Nancy has been named a Maestro Conductor since the inception of the award in 2000.  Kindermusik of The Woodlands was listed as #10 Kindermusik program in the world, as one of 5,300 educators in 65 countries.  Nancy is grateful to her fine faculty and loyal families who made this award possible.  Nancy Hall was also honored with the Maestro Master Teacher award, one of 15 teachers worldwide.

Nancy Hall Featured in The Woodlands Villager

Jack Muonio, of the Villager Staff, recently penned a delightful article about Kindermusik of the Woodlands and Nancy Hall.  Complete article as seen in The Villager. 

http://www.hcnonline.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=18382513&BRD=1574&PAG=461&dept_id=532207&rfi=8

Kindermusik Graduates Receive Awards

Brian Teed began his first music experiences at Kindermusik of The Woodlands as a 2 year old.  After graduation from Kindermusik, he studied piano with Nancy Hall through his graduation from The Woodlands High school.  Brian was a percussionist in TWHS Band.  At the Texas Music Teacher's Association Convention in Houston, TX, Brian was presented an award for making medals in TMTA Theory Exams for twelve years. Conroe Music Teachers Association presented Brian with the first $500 Scholarship for Continuing Music Studies.  Brian will attend the University of Oklahoma as a Music Education Major with emphasis in Percussion.  Brian also was presented the Conroe Music Teachers Association Senior Award and $200 Scholarship.

Colin Gordon began his music enrichment at Kindermusik of The Woodlands as a 4 year old.  After graduation from Kindermusik, he studied piano with Nancy Hall.  Colin graduated from The Woodlands College Park Academy of Sciences as Magna Cum Laude.  Colin played trumpet in the College Park Band and piano in the jazz band.  Colin received the Mansfield Theory Award and $200 Scholarship from TMTA for making Gold Medals on Theory Tests in Grades 2-12.  Colin also received the Conroe Music Teacher's Association Senior Award and $200 Scholarship.

Danny Bauer began his music enrichment at Kindermusik of The Woodlands as a 4 year old.  After graduation from Kindermusik, he studied piano with Nancy Hall. Danny graduated from Oak Ridge High School Science Academy and was in the band.  At the Texas Music Teacher's Association Convention in Grapevine, TX, Danny was presented the Mansfield Theory Award and $200 Scholarship from TMTA for making Gold Medals on Theory Tests in Grades 4-12.  Danny was also presented a 10-year Ensemble Plaque for performing on the TMTA Ensemble program for 10 years. Danny now attends Texas A & M University and major Engineering.

Jenny Roesner began her music enrichment at Kindermusik of The Woodlands when she was 4 years old.  After graduation, she studied piano with Nancy Hall, and also violin and voice at The Woodlands High School, where she graduated.  Jenny is now a Junior at the University of Houston, where she is majoring in Music Education with emphasis in Voice and Piano.  Jenny received the Mansfield Theory Award at TMTA in 2005 and a $200 Scholarship and the Conroe Music Teachers Association Senior Award and $200 Scholarship.  Jenny returned to perform on the TMTA Ensemble program and was awarded the 10-year Ensemble Plaque. 

Alice Nordquist began her music enrichment at Kindermusik of The Woodlands when she was 5 years old in the first year that Kindermusik of The Woodlands opened, 1988.  After graduation from Kindermusik, Alice studied piano with Nancy Hall through twelfth grade.  Alice was an All State Flutist and Drum Major of The Woodlands High School Band.  Alice received the Mansfield Theory Award for making gold medals on the TMTA Theory Test grades 2-12 and a $200 Scholarship.  Alice received the Conroe Music Teachers Association Senior Award and $200 Scholarship.  Alice majored in music education, with emphasis in flute at Oberlin College.

What Parents and Experts are saying About Kindermusik

To Find out what the Experts think,
Follow this link to Kindermusik International.

Kindermusik Sign & Sing 

Ms. Nancy introduced the sign for "up"--it became Case's party trick!  Since we've been in Sign & Sing, Case has gradually learned to do a handful of signs by himself ("more", "up", "thank you", "eat/food", "what"), but he understands so many of the other signs.  The DVD and diaper bag dictionary are wonderful--especially for those dads that can't make the class!  The classes are so entertaining and engaging for the kids--letting them socialize while using the signs in context.  And I think that it helps Case to see the other moms (as well as his favorite teacher, Ms. Nancy) doing the signs instead of just me.  He is so proud of himself when he used his signs--that's the best part!  Especially when a sign we've been working on at home--like "food"--he transfers out into the real world--like the tray of food at the restaurant!  Yeah!!! We can't wait for Sign & Sing B!   Christina

It was a pleasure for Alexandra and I to be in your Sign & Sing class.  I learned so much on communicating through sign to her and the songs we sang were icing on the cake.  We will continue to sign and it is my hope that she will sign even more in the months ahead.  Thank you so much for offering the Sign & Sing class.  What a gift to children!  Theresa

Kindermusik Village

Kindermusik Village has been a great bonding experience with the added bonus of using music to learn and express ourselves. Duncan loves the singing.
Gina

We started Kindermusik Village when Jack was just 4 months old. He was a baby that I thought could care less. By the middle of the semester, he would get so excited when he went to class. He responds to the CD music at home and especially in the car. We play the CD when he is fussy and instantly he quiets down. No other music has the same effect. I will keep coming as long as he loves it this much! Jack's favorite part was the dancing!
Denise

Madeline has enjoyed Kindermusik Village and we have a good time listening to the CD as well. Her favorite part of class is dancing and twirling around and "Maggie" (the teacher's doll).

Three weeks before the end of the semester, Samantha started singing in Kindermusik Village class. She is starting to sing little songs or melodies around the house. She loves to Boom-pa-pa with "This is My Dance". Also, at Home Depot last week, a lady came up and asked her "How do you do?" and Samantha held out her hand to shake as she had done in a song in an earlier curriculum, "How Do You Do, Please to Meet You". We had not sung that song since we finished the curriculum, but she remembered the hand motion!
Melissa

Kindermusik Our Time

Finn enjoys singing along and playing of instruments. He is more and more able to play and create independently. He loved the "transportation" theme of Away We Go! (Kindermusik Our Time)
Carole

Adam learned interaction with other kids. He loved singing the beginning and ending songs in Kindermusik Our Time.
Clarissa

Kindermusik Our Time has been a great time to spend together, relaxing after a long day of work and school. Hayley loved playing instruments and echoing in the microphone.
Jennifer

Brenan has really come out of his shell in Kindermusik Our Time class the last few months. He absolutely loves to sing and listen to music!
Andrea

Kendall really enjoyed playing instruments and singing in Kindermusik Our Time. She improved with beat and sound recognition.
Amy

Being that Luke is a third child, it's given me time alone with him, to do a class that's fun, warm and nurturing. Kindermusik Our Time allows the child to grow at their pace and enjoy the love of music. Luke loved the socializing and playing instruments.
Michelle

Kindermusik Our Time has broadened Nicholas' listening skills. He always associated a Kindermusik song with the class activity. When riding in the car, he'll say, "Mommy, rocking song" and want to stop to have "rocking time". It's heart warming! He loves everything about the class, especially instrument exploration!
Shelly

The love of music has been instilled in my child as a direct result of Kindermusik. Anne-Marie loves playing the different instruments in Kindermusik Our Time. Susan

Adrian and Kristian love the music and have understood how to put toys away in Kindermusik Our Time. They love riding on mom's legs and playing instruments! Myra

Imagine That!

Emily loves moving around and dancing and singing the echoes in class.
Marilyn

My children love to sing and do so with a real singing voice, holding the tune. My 5 year old son with autism, Tyler, enjoys the class and loves to play the musical instruments and act out the musical dramas. The structure of the class is easy for him to follow, i.e. the same beginning song , same ending songs and moving around every 10 minutes.
Tammy

This has been a wonderful experience for all of us. Emily couldn't match pitch when she was 18 months and started Kindermusik. Now at 4, she sings beautifully! Her favorite part of class was playing the instruments.
Sally

Bailey has gotten better at singing in class. She sings with confidence and loud enough for us to hear her and cheer her on. She also learns songs quickly, usually after hearing it just once. She not only learned the songs from her class, but also the songs from her sister's Village class and would try to get Samantha to sing along

with her. She loves playing the games with songs. Melissa

Jared is developing a love of music that he otherwise would not have. He looks forward to Kindermusik class

each week! His favorite aspect of the class is hearing and seeing different instruments.
Andrea

Markie sings all the time now in Kindermusik! She loves playing the instruments the most.
Aylisa

Our family is already musically oriented. The class, however, brought "musicality" to my son's level through the imaginary play and other group activities. He already like playing with his musical instruments, but the class enabled him to have fun with music, even though he can't play a particular instrument. Michael's favorite aspect of Kindermusik is the imaginary play. He loves role-playing!
Gloria

David has two older brothers, so on Thursdays, when they come back from school, he tells them about his day at "school" and what his friends did or said. So I feel that Kindermusik class is helping a lot to get him ready for August when he will start preschool. He likes to sing "Two Little Blackbirds" and does the high and low tones. He also likes to put his CD in his brother's compact CD player, so with the headphones on, he taps his knees and you can see that he is following the rhythm.
Martha

Kindermusik for the Young Child, Year One

Aaron is definitely learning to sight read the written music in Kindermusik for the Young Child, Year One. He loves playing the games and playing songs on the glockenspiel for stamp reward!
DiAnn Soifer

Katy has benefited from Kindermusik for the Young Child, Year One class in self-discipline, cooperating in class, actually learning music notes and is gaining enjoyment of music and learning instruments. Her favorite part of the class is playing the glockenspiel and the games.
Susan Telling

Alison enjoyed the Kindermusik for the Young Child, Year One class. She was very happy to learn and read the music. She loved playing new instruments, violin and guitar.
Sarah Gieske

Ryan enjoyed the songs, games and learning to play the glockenspiel in Kindermusik for the Young Child, Year One.
Jeannie Rod

Kindermusik for the Young Child, Year Two

Natalie has benefited from Kindermusik for the Young Child, Year Two class with exposure to various types of music and introduction to music skills. We have really enjoyed these years a lot!!
Lisa

Elizabeth has gained an understanding of reading music in Kindermusik for the Young Child, Year Two. She loves dancing and playing the instruments.
Debra

We have loved it! Brian has learned to play several instruments and read music in Kindermusik for the Young Child, Year Two. Brian and I went to many symphony performances the summer after Year One. He was able to tell me what instruments were being played and also repeated refrains. It was so exciting! Marilyn

Kindermusik of the Woodlands
and
Hall's Musik Studios
25218 Grogan's Park Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380
Phone: 281 367-0545 Fax: 281 298-6944
Email: infokindermusik@aol.com for Director, Nancy Hall

Email: familymusik@comcast.net for Office Assistant, Staci Black