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Tiny musicians become tomorrow's maestros

Community Music School instructor Aric Bieganek leads an ensemble. Reminder Publications photo courtesy of Patricia Crutchfield
By Lori O' Brien

Correspondent



SPRINGFIELD Wanted: Future maestros.

The Community Music School of Springfield (CMSS) will be offering several unique musical programs in early 2007 for budding musicians under the age of six. Aric Bieganek, a new early childhood faculty member at the CMSS, will be conducting 15-week classes for "Pee Wees," "Rockin' Babies," and "Future Maestros" beginning in January.

Bieganek talks enthusiastically about the CMSS and said what he enjoys most about his role is "bringing music into the lives of the youngest children in our communities and seeing how happy and intelligent it makes them feel."

Bieganek's teaching background has been varied since completing a bachelor of music degree in songwriting from the Berklee College of Music in Boston in 2002. He has taught music to students, ages six months to 16, and has served as music director for several community productions. He labels himself an "aspiring singer/songwriter," and a "multi-instrumentalist," since he plays several instruments including drums, bass, guitar and glockenspiel. In his spare time, he is also part of the band Northernly (formerly North) based out of Easthampton.

"I enjoy that I am able to create a music curriculum for 4-6-year-olds that involves such a wide variety of aspects of the world of music," he said during an interview with Reminder Publications.

Bieganek noted that, in particular, the Future Maestros program is built upon a child's imagination and exploring it through the world of music.

"We study many different genres of music, we study basic music theory, we learn about the instruments and their families, we get lots of hands-on experience with various instruments, and we also do some basic songwriting using my portable iMac recording studio and a program called Garage Band," he added.

Bieganek stressed that children do not require a musical background to excel in the program.

"It's a great way for children to learn about the basics of music without having to pick just one instrument," he said, adding "my goal is to instill a vast love of music in each child who takes my class, and hopefully one day they'll want to begin taking lessons on an instrument we studied in class."

Bieganek added that music has been known to give kids a jump start on many other skills in their regular classrooms at school.

Parents are encouraged and welcome to contact Bieganek on any aspect of the musical offerings.

"Rockin' Babies" is designed for ages six to 12 months and provides an interactive environment of movement and instrument play with their adult loved ones. "Pee Wees" is for ages 12 to 36 months and features repetition of basic body movements that will strengthen bodies and minds. An adult must also attend this class with the youngster. There are two classes offered for the "Future Maestros" program, for ages three to four and five to six. For preschool children, participants will make their own musical instruments, learn basic conducting patterns, begin basic rhythm and note study, and write their own songs using a portable computer recording studio. For kindergarteners and first graders, their hands-on sessions will begin to prepare them for future instrument study.

All programs are offered for 15 weeks, lasting 45 minutes for each session.

Bieganek stressed that musical programs are important for children to be exposed to especially at a young age.

"It focuses their attention on important musical skills, instills a love for many different styles of music, and truly explores the vastness of their imagination and creativity," he said.

For more information on any of the programs, call the CMSS at 732-8428 or visit www.communitymusicschool.com.

The CMSS, located in an Art Deco historic landmark building in the heart of downtown, is located at 127 State St.