Many children are first introduced to music at Northwestern in lively Kindermusik classes, where they explore music through moving, singing, and playing instruments. The focus is on whole-child development, not on musical entertainment or performance. A rich variety of activities promotes music and language development, symbolic thinking, coordination, and social interaction. Age-appropriate sequential classes are offered for children from birth through age seven.
All participants over the age of 2 are strongly encouraged to wear a well-fitting mask for in-person activities. Due to the ever-changing nature of COVID-19, it is possible that some instruction will shift temporarily to an online format. Please contact kindermusik@northwestern.edu with questions.
The spring Kindermusik term starts January 28, 2023, and ends May 13, 2023, with May 20 reserved as a make-up week.
Registration Notes:
- Level 1 and Level 3 classes are currently postponed for spring semester. If you are interested in enrolling a child in Levels 1 or 3, please fill out our Interest Form. We will contact you as soon as registration becomes available for those levels.
- Levels 2, 4 and 5 are full. Registration is closed.
Level 2 (2-3 years with parent/caregiver)
This music-filled class celebrates the unique joys of your growing child. Each week your child will love singing, dancing, and playing instruments with you and their new friends and you’ll love helping them practice a wide variety of abilities such as gross and fine motor skills, turn-taking, social skills, and active listening. In class, we’ll also share tips and ideas for using music throughout the week. Plus, the fun (and learning!) continue with the Kindermusik at Home digital home materials, including music from class, musical activities, and each month’s story. You'll also receive instruments and books to add to your child's collections of these items.

Themes: Rhyme Around Town, Pet Parade, Go, Go, Go
Class times: Saturdays at 8:45-9:30 a.m. or 9:45-10:30 a.m. with Tamara Sarajishvili Dominguez (FULL)
Dates: January 28 thru May 13, 2023 (15 weeks)
Price: $315
From the moment you became a parent, you wanted the best for your child. In class, we engage your child in music and movement activities that also promote language, social and emotional skills, early math and early literacy, physical coordination, creativity, and more. Plus, your child will learn basic music vocabulary and notation—all setting the stage for future school success and formal music lessons. The Kindermusik at Home digital home materials extend the benefits all week long with music from class, activities for the whole family, and each month’s story. You'll also receive instruments and books to add to your child's collections of these items.

Themes: Feel the Music, Drums, Drums, Drums, Sing a Story
Class times: Saturdays at 9:00-9:45 a.m. with Jennifer Merry (FULL)
Dates: January 28 thru May 13, 2023 (15 weeks)
Price: $335
Young Child prepares the young child who is eager for first experiences with musical symbols and instrument discovery but is not yet ready for formal lessons and traditional music reading with an instrument. This is a 4-semester curriculum taught over 2 years. Each class is 60 minutes.
What a Parent and Child Will Experience in Class
- Singing and vocal development — It may sound like a foreign language when a child sings “ta” and “ti-ti,” but this is the language of professional musicians and composers and getting young children ready to read and write simple rhythm patterns.
- Movement — See children dance expressively to music, giving them the practice they need to coordinate their body movements to the sound of music. This kind of musical play not only improves musicianship, but physical coordination as well.
- Reading and writing — Young children will learn melodic notation and identify pitches such as the C, A, and D notes on the treble clef, plus rhythmic notation. Eventually even composing their own music.
- Focused listening — Children will learn to identify a range of orchestra instruments and their sound qualities, while also gaining an early awareness and knowledge of composers and masterworks in Western arts tradition.
- Exploring and playing musical instruments — Authentic percussion, string, pre-keyboard, and woodwind instruments expose children to the many choices for future musical study, and at the same time provide them with the opportunity to musically succeed before taking on more formal instruction.
Class time (Year 1 continuation): Saturdays at 10:00-11:00 a.m. with Jennifer Merry (FULL)
Class time (Year 2 continuation): Saturdays at 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. with Jennifer Merry (FULL)
Dates: January 28 thru May 13, 2023 (15 weeks)
Price: $380