About Music Together®

Music Together® is an international early childhood music and movement program for children from birth through age 7 (age 5 for Music Together Mixed-ages classes offered at First Notes Music). First offered to the public in 1987, it pioneered the concept of a research-based, developmentally appropriate early childhood music curriculum that strongly emphasizes and facilitates adult involvement. Now serving more than 3,000 locations in over 40 countries, Music Together connects families and communities across the globe as they express and explore the basic human instinct for making music.

About Katie Charna

First Notes Music was founded in 2016, and reopened with Katie Charna as director in 2023. First Notes Music is the only center of it’s kind in the Columbia, Spring Hill, and Thompson Station areas.

As a child, Katie Charna loved all things music and was involved in many musical activities: piano lessons, dance classes, voice lessons, band, choir, and even musical theater. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Arkansas in 2011, and went on to teach elementary school music in public schools in Arkansas and Tennessee for six years. Katie is mother to Eleanor (8) and Andrew (5), and discovered Music Together® in the Fall of 2022 when attending her first Music Together Mixed-age class with her son. When First Notes Music closed shortly after, Katie knew Music Together was too valuable a program for families in the area, and became a Music Together teacher and center director herself. She is so thankful for this opportunity and loves spreading the joy of music with other families in Spring Hill!

FAQ

What is Music Together®?

Music Together® is a research-based early childhood music program for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grownups who love them®. Since 1987, families around the world have experienced Music Together through classes for families, schools, and clinical settings. Today, classes are found in nearly 2,000 communities in 35 countries. At First Notes Music, families from Spring Hill and Columbia, TN, can experience the same internationally recognized program right here in our community.

 What happens in a Music Together® class?

Each 45-minute Music Together class is a multisensory experience filled with singing, creative movement, visual props, instrument play, and other playful music activities. Children might be singing and shaking instruments one minute and dancing around the room the next. Some jump right in, while others watch or explore. Every response is welcome. Your teacher guides the activities while you participate alongside your child.

 Why is music important for babies and toddlers?

Music gives babies and toddlers so many ways to learn, grow, and connect. Singing, moving, and playing with music supports parent-child bonding and your child’s natural music development along with their cognitive, language, physical, and social-emotional development. And it’s never too early to start! Even the youngest babies are listening and responding to rhythm, melody, and the sounds around them. Music Together® classes turn those natural responses into playful opportunities to explore music with the grownups they love—and begin building a relationship with music that can last a lifetime.

 My child doesn't sit still. Is that okay?
Absolutely. Children learn in different ways, and there's no expectation that they sit in the circle. Some children sing and dance right away, while others prefer to watch, explore, or move around the room. All of these are natural ways of participating and learning in a Music Together class.

Why are Music Together® classes mixed-age?

Music Together pioneered mixed-age early childhood music classes because children naturally learn from one another in mixed-age environments. Older children enjoy leading and modeling, while younger children learn through observation and imitation. The mixed-age format also allows siblings to attend together and encourages every family to participate at their own child's developmental level. Read more about the benefits of mixed-age learning.

What does "research-based" mean?

Music Together is built on more than 40 years of research in music-learning, child development, early childhood learning theory, neuroscience, and psychology. The end result of this research was four basic principles that are still the cornerstone of the Music Together philosophy today. Every song, activity, and teaching strategy is designed around how young children naturally learn: through play, movement, repetition, and meaningful interactions with the grownups they love.

Do parents participate in class?

Yes! Music Together is designed for children (and the grownups who love them®) to participate together. All you need is a willingness to sing, move, and have fun alongside your child. Your participation helps create a rich music environment where children naturally learn through observation, imitation, and play.