Summer activities for everyone

Looking for family friendly activities close to home? Then check out Oak Hill at Berry College.

There are movies in the meadows - $10 a carload! You can take a historic bike ride, complete with a guide. There are classes for the children, that include painting flower pots, building a birdhouse, or learning about horticulture. Do you have family coming to town, then take them to the museum at Oak Hill and learn more about Martha Berry. There is so much to do and see at Berry College, and it's right in our own backyard! While your thinking about Berry, check out the Kindermusik classes that are offered this summer too.

Double Dip - music & swimming

The Holland Sentinel reports, "there are many similarities between sports and music. Athletes and musicians practice their craft diligently to perform their best in front of the crowd. Both entertain and are highly competitive. "

When I go to the pool to pick up my swimmer from Three Rivers Swim Club, I see that many of the swimmers are former Kindermusik students. In addition to swimming, they have continued their music study with piano, orchestra, chorus and band. My personal theory is that there is a certain rhythm involved in swimming...counting your strokes, kicks, knowing how far to the wall, etc... And of course, music is all about rhythm and the pulse. I tell students, without a pulse, you die and so does your music!

This past weekend, TRSC participated in a fun meet, and a relay team found four Kindermusik grads swimming the 200 Free Relay and winning. So, this summer enjoy the rhythm of music and the pool!

Music Benefits

All around the world, people love music. Americans are hooked on American Idol. In the UK, it's Britain's Got Talent. Click here to see their talent!

Kids gravitate to music...they dance to music on TV, love a marching band, and hop up on Grandma's piano bench to make their own music. Music is a multi-million dollar business: iTunes, rock concerts, symphony orchestras, country music, Broadway show, and the list goes on. But, what are the benefits of music? I'm glad you asked!


Childrensmusicworkshop.com just had an article outlining the 12 benefits of music education. Here is a summary of 4 of the benefits.



1. Early musical training helps develop brain areas involved in language and reasoning.


2. Students of the arts learn to think creatively and solve problems by imagining various solutions.


3. Music study enhances teamwork skills and discipline.


4. Music provides children with a means of self-expression, of which self-esteem is a by-product.




Give your child a benefit that will last a lifetime: music!

Musical Storytime

Today was our last Maymester Musical Storytime. This has been a lot of fun...three weeks of themed Kindermusik style classes in a multi-age setting. We have had dads, mom, grandmas, and nannies attend. Many families have come for the very first time to experience Kindermusik. It has been wonderful because the LONG TIME attenders are such good examples.

Singing, moving to music, playing instruments, and spending quality time with families - that is what we do in our classes. It's fun, but read this article to find out why listening to music can be a real "heart-opener". No, literally. http://tinyurl.com/p38dvg.

Summer is a good time for

relaxing, reading, and remembering. Remember your days of summer? What did you do? When I was a kid, I played outside, played with friends and went swimming whenever I could. I'm sure I watched my share of TV too, but there weren't a zillion channels to choose from!

Today's children are so busy that they don't take time to relax, read or remember. I know parents like to keep the children busy, but allow them some slow hazy, lazy days of summer. Pick a few activities that will engage your child, not just entertain. Be deliberate in choosing, and try to be creative.


Here are my picks for summer fun with the kids:

go to the park

go to the library...summer storytime is on Tuesday & Thursday beginning in June. http://www.romelibrary.org/

pack a picnic

load up the bikes and ride... the trail next to the rivers in Rome is great because it's shady!

make homemade ice cream and invite the neighbors over

get a big box from the appliance store - it will become LOTS of things before it is over!

Vacation Bible School is a great week long activity and in Rome, you can find one most any week!

read books with your kids and then let them act it out or re-tell it

as you travel, sing a song....find a theme song for the trip. Sometimes it's a song we know, sometimes we change the words to a familiar tune.

First Friday Concerts in Rome are the best!

Visit a state park for the day...swim in the lake and hike a trail. http://www.gastateparks.org/

Find a Kindermusik class for your child. Go to http://www.berrycollegekids.com/ and click on Kindermusik

I had to add that last one, but I believe music makes life sweeter. It's one activity that is multi-generational. You never get too old to enjoy and make music. So, no matter what activities you choose this summer includes some music. It may just be dancing in the den, but your kids will definitely remember it!

First EVER!

I have finally done it! I have entered the blogging world. I am a fan of blogs, and have learned many things from reading them. This blog is primarily to share my love of music with those who visit. I am a pianist by training, but a singer at heart. I suppose I got this love of music from my father. Now, he is not a great singer...but he was always singing. He still sings in the church choir at age 86! I grew up on a farm in north Florida, and my dad would get up to early milk the cows and he would sing as he walked to the barn.

This joyful (not beautiful) song that he carried is etched in my soul too. After I graduated from college with a music education degree, I had a piano studio in my home. I still do, but 20 years ago I added Kindermusik to my repetoire. What is Kindermusik? It's a children's music program for families. I get to share and make music with young children and their families - it's what grandma did on her porch for many years. Not my grandma - but granma's in general.

My intent with this blog is to share with families how music can add joy to your day. I may have some parenting tips, music to add to your playlist and probably a recipe or too.