Makenzie Lockerby beats out a rhythm in the Little Tree Music Together program, taught by Maiya Robbie, which exposes children aged five and younger to music. The program runs Fridays at the Sonora Community Centre. (Richard McGuire photo)
Music teacher Maiya Robbie believes that children should reach a basic music ability before the age of five.
That’s the idea behind the program Little Music Together, which she is teaching at the Sonora Community Centre every Friday from now to June 13.
“Our ultimate goal is to provide the opportunity for all children to reach their basic music ability by the age of five,” said the Penticton-based Robbie. “That means keeping a steady rhythm and being able to sing in tune.”
With that foundation, which lasts for the rest of their lives, children can build on their musicality and further develop their skills if they wish.
“As a private music teacher, I see a lot of students come in who aren’t able to do things and it’s really frustrating for children to be in that situation where they love music, but they have that barrier,” she said.
At the first class of the program last Friday, a small group of children ranging in age from infants to pre-Kindergarten played with percussion instruments, danced to the music or sang along.
Even little seven-month-old Reid Patterson settled down when fascination with the sounds overtook his anxiety in the new environment.
Robbie shared an infectious enthusiasm for music as she led the children and parents in song and dance, had them clapping along and taught them words to children’s songs.
North American music, she said, tends to use major keys and 4/4 time.
“That’s great, but it doesn’t allow for real development of the ear,” said Robbie. “So the music [in the program] is very diverse. It’s joyful and exciting, but there are also songs in minor keys that have a richness. There are songs from around the world – we have songs in Spanish and in French and we have a song from Israel and a song from Africa.”
Robbie has been teaching music for about nine years, but has only been doing the Music Together program for about a year. She took training last spring to help her get started.
“It’s a program where children and parents or other grown-ups can attend together,” she said. “Parents or grandparents can bring the little ones. The adults are models for the children and so we’re creating an environment of fun and exploration of music. Of course it’s development focused as well – music being an amazing catalyst for learning and opening up, a pathway for all kinds of learning.”
Robbie sometimes plays guitar or ukulele, but often the class is more focused on music that participants can make with their bodies.
“The children respond really well to that physical rhythm, but every class they play an instrument,” she said.
Robbie said she needs a minimum of six children to run the program and the maximum is 12.
There were seven children enrolled as of last Friday and there is room for more, she said.
The Music Together runs each Friday from 4 to 4:45 p.m. There is a cost per child, but siblings under nine months can attend for free.
You can register in person at the Sonora Community Centre.
Robbie’s website is: www.littletreemusictogether.com.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
Little Quinn Lockerby, left, tries to get the hang of music while his sister, Avery, beats a drum. The children of Tara and Gene Lockerby were taking part in the Little Tree Music Together program, taught by Maiya Robbie, which exposes children aged five and younger to music. The program runs Fridays at the Sonora Community Centre. (Richard McGuire photo)
