Book Review: Martin the Guitar

There is a fictitious music store in New York City called Benninato's, and the shop is full of instruments waiting for someone to take them home.  One small guitar named Martin was a favorite of Mr. Benninato, but no one ever looked twice at Martin. People who came in the store favored the larger instruments.  This story was written by Harry Musselwhite, director of choral activities at Berry College. Mr. M wears many hats: choral director, basso profondo, film writer, and now adds children's author to his list of abilities. 





What do I love about this book:

• The characters. Their names are fun to say, and create images as you read.
• The lessons it teaches.  Martin is small, and over looked among the other instruments, but Mr. Benninato is encouraging to Martin.  This teaches patience, good things come to those who wait. The seasoned violin, Strada also gives Martin inspiration to step up.  This helps kids realize their elders do offer wisdom and encouragement.
• The way the music store comes to life.  All children love to imagine what happens when the store is dark, and the people have gone. The instruments in this story to come life with a concert each evening, and the same guy always wins (is he the store bully?), until one night....
• The artwork.  It is colorful, playful and delightful. The illustrator, Brian Barr, teaches at Georgia Highlands in Rome!
• The accompanying CD.  The music doesn't go with the story page by page like many children's books, but it takes the listener into the world of Martin.  
• Berry students were involved in the process of putting this book together.  Liz Robbins and Wes Scheidt are music education majors, and have been assistants in the Kindermusik classroom! Berry College educates the head, heart, and hands!

The book is a bit lengthy for the younger child, but children ages 6 - 10 will be engaged from beginning to end.  Children of all ages (2 - 92), will be enchanted with the compositions that are played so masterfully.  Did I mention that Mr. M wrote the songs, and played them too?? What a talent!!

If you would like a copy of this book, they will be available at Kindermusik of Berry College in mid-September.  Look for additional information about a special SIGNING day with Mr. Musselwhite.  Meet Mr. M, hear the music LIVE, and get your book autographed too!

Classes resume - what to expect

We are glad you are participating in the fall semester of Kindermusik of Berry College! Here are few things to remember and consider as you come to class each week:

• The college students are slowly moving back to campus, and their classes begin Monday, August 27.  The freshmen move in on Wednesday, August 22.  This will make finding a parking space more of a challenge. Also, note that these students are NOT looking for you and your child....so BE CAREFUL!!

• Use quiet voices and walking feet as you enter the building because classes are in session. Stay with your child all the way from the car to the building, and vice versa. This is for safety purposes.  I know children like to run and hide from their grown-up, especially the older kids...but please encourage them to stay with you.  Once you left the building take them to one of the fields and let them run and play!!

• Please monitor your child in the elevator! The red and yellow buttons call security, and they lose patience with all the false alarms.  An officer is dispatched EVERYTIME one of the buttons is pushed, even when your child pushes it by accident.  They are at a child's level, because if someone fell in the elevator, and really needed help they would be able to access the buttons easily!!

• Turn your cell phone off, or put it on silent while in class. This will allow you to focus fully on your child. If you must take a call, please do so in the hallway.

• WE FOLLOW FLOYD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN CASE OF SEVERE WEATHER. IF Floyd county schools are closed due to the weather, then Kindermusik will not not meet. IF the schools close after 2:00 p.m. you should call the Kindermusik office (706-233-4091) concerning afternoon and evening classes. IF it is a non-event (snows, schools close but it melts away by afternoon), then classes MAY meet. IF in doubt, call the Kindermusik office for an updated message, check the blog or Facebook.

• Please sign the photo release form in the classroom. This will give us permission to use pictures of you and your child on the blog, website or our Facebook page.

• If your child has had fever within the last 24 hours or you suspect that they are becoming ill, please do not attend class and chance infecting other families. You may make-up a class on a different day and time at any time during the semester.

• Have fun with your child at Kindermusik. No laundry, no dishes, no toys to pick up. Just enjoy this time, it passes very quickly!  Save those adult conversations for before and after class.

• Kindermusik is not about performance. It is a process of learning and loving. It is for families to grow in their time together.

Classes Start Monday, August 13

It's still summer, still hot, but FALL Kindermusik classes begin August 13 at Berry College.  

Here's the schedule:

Monday
5:30 pm Imagine That (ages 3.5-5)-1 space remains
5:45 pm Our Time (18 months - 3 years) 
6:30  pm Village (newborn - 18 months)

Tuesday
9:30 am Our Time
10:15 am Village
3:45 pm Young Child, semester 1(ages 4.5-7)
4:45 pm Young Child, semester 3(ages 5-7)

Wednesday
9:15 am Village -FULL
10:15 am Our Time

Thursday
9:30 am Village - potentially canceled due to low enrollment
10:15 am Our Time
11:00 am Imagine That - 1 space remains
3:45 - 5:15 Beyond 
(must have completed Young Child or approval of instructor)
5:15 pm Young Child, semester 1 - FULL
6:30 pm Our Time

Friday
9:30 am Our Time
10:15 am Imagine That - potentially canceled due to low enrollment

If you need directions to 

Kindermusik of Berry Colllege, click here

Email to make sure your class is still available!!

knobles@berry.edu