Music Mania

Music Mania Community Workshop for Pre-K through Grade 6

In a continuing effort to instill music appreciation at an early age, Music Mania encourages students to explore basic concepts such as pitch matching, healthy use of the singing voice and proper technique for classroom instruments. Students are introduced to musical theater, symphonic music, theory, world music and listening.

Over two consecutive Saturday, April 20 from 9 a.m.–12:00p.m. and Saturday April 27 from 9 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., students from surrounding communities are invited to explore music and movement to build coordination, language and cognitive skills, social skills, and tools for self-expression—all presented in fun and exciting ways using a piece of children’s literature as a theme for games, singing and instrument exploration.  Students are organized into small activity groups according to age. 

On the second Saturday, parents and caregivers are invited for a demonstration hour where all students in the program come together with a narrator to interact and engage in bringing a story to life with musical activities coordinated by our undergrauate music student instructors.  The Parent Program is from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. on Saturday April 27.

Participation is free, but advance online registration is required in order to participate.

We welcome ages Pre-K (minimum age 5, as of April 1, please) through Grade 6.

REGISTER ONLINE TODAY!

Let's Tell A Story Through Music!

Throughout the semester, Dr. Sandra Doneski integrates this workshop program into the Elementary Methods curriculum for her junior music education majors. Undergraduate students work together to create a program for the community that strives to instill musical understanding at an early age, encouraging the youngest of participants to harness their innate musicality through joyful participation. Over 70 students from surrounding communities participated in 2023, ranging from ages 5 up to 12 years.

Saturday Music Workshop for Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 6
— Let's Tell A Story through Music!
Saturday, April 20, 2023 | 9 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Workshop Class
Saturday, April 27, 2024 | 9 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Worksop Class
                                           12 - 1:00 p.m.  Demonstration for Parents and Caregivers

Participation is free! There is no registration fee required for participation. but space is limited.Registration is now open, enroll your young musician today:

ENROLL TODAY!

A Note About Snacks and Beverages

Students participating in the program are highly encouraged to pack a hearty snack and beverage in a labeled lunch bag or cooler.  Snacks will not be provided. Three hours is a long time for our youngest participants to make it without a bite to eat.  Please consider packing a hearty snack and beverage - the students will take a break midway through the morning to eat.

Drop Off Program

This is a drop off program.  Parents are not permitted in the classroom locations during the program.  Students can be dropped off and picked up in the lobby of Phillips Music Center..  Check in and drop off in the morning takes place from 8:45 - 9:00 am - pick up takes place at 12:00 pm on Saturday April 20.  Parents are invited to attend a demonstration beginning at 12:00 pm on Saturday April 27.
 

The Benefits of Research-Based Music Teaching and Learning

The Music Mania Workshop Program is directed by Sandra Doneski, Dean of Faculty, and Associate Music Professor and Director of Music Education at Gordon College. Most recently, Dr. Doneski was chosen as the 2012 recipient of the Massachusetts Music Educators Association's highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, and as the 2013 recipient of the AIME Visionary Leadership Award.

Workshop instructors include a combination of alumni and undergraduates, who have received their training and education through Gordon College's highly regarded undergraduate and graduate 
programs in music education.

Student participants are grouped according to similar age, with appropriate musical instruction for their developmental stage. 

We invite your children to join us for an exciting musical experience and a boost in creativity and imagination!

REGISTER ONLINE TODAY

Enrollment is based on a first-come-first-served basis and classes fill up quickly.
Questions? Call 978.867.4429 or email Kristen Harrington.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

Music Mania Director Sandra Doneski has had the pleasure of teaching music to students in Kindergarten through graduate school. She is Associate Professor of Music at Gordon College and Director of Graduate and Undergraduate Music Education. She teaches courses in music education methods, learning theory, assessment, curriculum development; supervises student teachers; and conducts the Gordon College Children’s Choir. She founded the Children’s Choir in 2000 to give children in the community an opportunity to grow as musicians, and music education majors an opportunity to develop as teachers and conductors. Sandra has also served on the faculty of the New England Conservatory Preparatory School, where she was Associate Conductor of the Children’s Choir Program. Under her guidance, NEC implemented choral programs for early elementary and middle school students that focused on vocal pedagogy and building musicianship. She has served as a conductor for MENC (NAfME) and ACDA sponsored events throughout the Northeast, and is co-founder of Embracing the New Music Educator – a mentoring program for new music educators in Massachusetts. She currently serves as co-chair of the Massachusetts Common Music Initiative Project.

In 2009, Dr. Doneski was the recipient of the Massachusetts Music Educators Association Lowell Mason Award and the Society for General Music in Massachusetts Excellence in General Music Award. In 2012, she was awarded the Massachusetts Music Educators Association Distinguished Service Award and in 2013 she received the Administrators in Music Education Visionary Leadership Award.

Dr. Doneski has published articles and conducted workshops on choral literature and techniques, curriculum development, assessment and mentoring. She recently co-authored a chapter in the MENC Handbook: Research on Teaching and Learning in Music Education titled Research on Elementary and Secondary School Singing.

She is a graduate of Gordon College and received her Master’s and Ph.D. in Music Education from The Hartt School, University of Hartford.