Big notes, little students; MacPhail educators visit pre-K classes with music lessons
Published 9:58 am Thursday, March 12, 2015
Andrew Schwartz, right, gets help playing the violin Wednesday during a visit by educators from the MacPhail Center for Music. Photos by Trey Mewes/trey.mewes@austindailyherald.com
Violins, xylophones, tambourines and tapping sticks — Austin preschoolers had the chance to make a little noise with these instruments and more Wednesday as educators from the MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis visited the Austin Community Center.
“Early childhood kids learn through their senses — touch, hearing sound, seeing,” said Amy Baskin, director of community education. “It’s a great opportunity to get them to learn through using their senses.”
Educators showed students how to play various instruments, learn songs and more Wednesday afternoon. Students got the chance to work with various instruments, which MacPhail educators say is crucial for young children in understanding how music works.
Aric Bieganek of the MacPhail Center for Music leads preschool students on a drumming exercise Wednesday at the Community Learning Center.
“It’s just important that they experience these instruments,” said Austin Project Manager Cheryl Collins, from MacPhail. “This is the first time they can fall in love and discover music on their own, without boundaries.”
MacPhail educators will work with Austin schools as part of an outreach program to help the district develop more music education opportunities over the next few months.
The music organization was invited to Austin in part by the Hormel Foundation, which is providing support to Austin Public Schools and the Community Learning Center to partner with MacPhail.
