Local Resident Brings the Joy of Music Into Attleboro Homes

Attleboro resident, Gwyn Marini is sharing the joy of music with babies, children and their parents using the internationally recognized “program here in Attleboro as well as in seven surrounding communities. 

Marini, the daughter and granddaughter of musicians graduated with a degree in music education from PENN State. She has teaching experience as a primary music specialist and a band instructor, but has found her passion teaching Music Together, which she has taught for 12 years.

Central to the program is the belief that music is a birthright for all children. Expanding on that philosophy, Marini said, “Music is not just for the talented few. All children are musical.”

It's much more than singing. It's singing and clapping, dancing, bouncing, smiling, laughing, gesturing, banging on instruments blowing into instruments, humming and exploring and enjoying music.

It's high quailty instruction, that is child focused. It's a program where children and their parents are immersed in and learn to love music.

The class presently being taught in Attleboro is a mixed age group recommended for children infant to five years of age and their parents or caregivers.

Yes, this is an opportunity that brings music to children as early as birth!

"Our youngest child has really taken off musically," said Patty Palmer, a parent participant, on the program's website. "She is learning so much, so quickly.The music has helped bridge the gap between babbling and talking or in her case, singing. It is truly a family affair!" 

The classes foster the creation of a musical environment for their children and their parents at home.

“Because the parents are the child’s most important teacher, the children look up to the parent to see what to do," Marinin said. "When the parents are singing, making music and moving, the children naturally do the same."

Classes, which are 45 minutes long, are are offered once a week but kids practice all week with CDs, one for the car and one for playing at home with songbooks that are provided to families.

“These help the kids become more familiar with the music and therefore more likely to participate more in the next class,” Marini said.

The program’s selection of music is research based and deemed to be developmentally age appropriate. In addition to songs like “Skip to My Lou” and “Shoo-Fly,” children and parents are exposed to all genres of music including classical, folk, cultural and music written by the founders of “Music Together."

“I learned complex rhythms while in college, but these kids are learning them as babies," Marinin added. "The program gives the participants music of different meter, tonalities, and scales to provide them experience with all sounds."

"Music Together is a joyful experience for me to be with my 2-year-old and 8-month-old dancing, singing and making memories," Kerri Coleman, a parent participant said about the progam. "I don't know of a better place to be Monday mornings for all of us. We love it! Gwyn has given the gift of music to our family."

The Music Together classes are offered at the on Monday mornings.

Although the summer session, which begins Monday, is currently fully enrolled, Marini is offering free demonstration classes for parents who are thinking about participating in fall, winter or spring sessions.