Sandpiper, Again and Again and Again and...

We have just started our second semester of Music Together class with our fantastic teacher Linda. Eleanor and I took a class in the spring and absolutely loved it -- who doesn't love singing, dancing and banging on drums? The great thing about Music Together is that they give you a CD with the repertoire of songs that they use throughout the class so that you can get familiar with them. Also, the Hello and Goodbye, So Long, Farewell songs are always the same so once you have had one class, every other semester has a familiar feel.

This semester we are using the "Flutes" music collection. The songs are once again lively and fun and, as before, there are little exercises to work on rhythm and pitch as well. One thing about this new collection of songs is that Eleanor is semi-obsessed with one of the songs, appropriately titled "Sandpiper". It is a simple song (Sandpiper, Sandpiper running in the sand...), but there is something about it that excites Eleanor and inspires all sorts of crazy dancing. The only problem with the song is that the last verse (Sandpiper, Sandpiper sleeping by the sea...) slows down considerably and Eleanor realizes that it is coming to an end. This causes huge tears and howls of "done, done" until the CD player is programmed to repeat the song. Thankfully, after the first five hours of Sandpiper on repeat, I hardly even notice that it is on. Eleanor still does though and comments every time "pipeh sleep" (the sandpiper sleeps).

Despite the obsession with the Sandpiper song, we are thoroughly enjoying the class again. The music and dancing are quite enjoyable and I am sure Eleanor is learning quite a bit. Henry generally sleeps right through it, but I am sure he is getting something out of it too. Music is good for kids and Music Together is a great way to experience it for parents like me who can't play an instrument or read music.