Parents! How to Help Your Students Practice ~ Day Four

We have established that regular practice routines will not happen without proactive piano parents. So, how can parents be proactive practice assistants even if they have never touched a piano?

Day 4. The Lead Vocalist: Most people are not too comfortable with breaking out into song in public, but they will happily sing in front of their own children. Parents of your littlest piano students should be encouraged to sing along with song lyrics. Just make sure that the sing-alongs happen with songs their children already know quite well. Sing-alongs do not work when a song is first being learned.

Fun with Music

Step into a world of giggles and song with “Fun “with Music at Pender! This is not just any music class – it’s a journey through sound and imagination designed especially for preschoolers and their favorite grown-ups. Since 2013, Jim and Roberta Pont have been creating a space where tiny toes tap, and little voices echo with joy, crafting a magical musical experience for children from birth to five years old.

Wave ‘hello’ and join us every Monday morning for a delightful 30-minute musical escapade! Our littlest musicians and their families come together at 10 AM to sing, dance, and make friends with tunes. We dive into a treasure trove of stuffed animals and toys, transforming the room into an enchanting stage for our budding performers. With every stuffed lion’s roar or elephant’s trumpet, your child’s imagination will soar!

After the musical fiesta, it’s time for a yummy snack, followed by playtime where kids can explore and make-believe. Meanwhile, moms, dads, grandparents, and caregivers can relish a homemade brunch prepared with love – a perfect chance to mingle and share stories.

Our box of wonders is always brimming with surprises! One day it’s a car zooming around, another day it’s a train chugging along. Flip it over and voilà, it’s a drum or even a rumbling thunder to match the beat of our songs. From ‘The Wheels on the Bus’ to sparkling new Bible-based rhymes, we have tunes that will make your little one’s heart dance with every beat!

Last year, our pint-sized percussionists marched on bubble wrap to the rhythm of a march, popping and hopping with glee. And guess what’s next? A tunnel adventure awaits their curious little eyes and eager hands!

So, if you’re a parent with a playful tot between zero to five, and Monday mornings are open, come and make a splash in our sea of melodies at ‘Melody Mornings’. It’s not just fun; it’s a musical hug for the heart and soul. Can’t wait to sing and swing into a new day of joy with you and your little one!

This class meets every Monday starting September 8, 2025 at 10 am except for school holidays.

Pender UMC is at 12401 Alder Woods Drive, Fairfax, VA, 22033.

Want to Sing Contemporary Christian music?

 

My church, Pender United Methodist (about 7 minutes from the OCMS on route 50), has just announced that they’re forming a new choir for contemporary Christian music.

  • Choir members will be given sheet music and an audio file containing a performance of the song that is part-predominant (soprano, alto, tenor, bass). You will be able to listen to all voices, but your voice part will be louder above the others. Not sure of your voice part? We can perform a voice test to determine your range!
  • We will rehearse with the Common Ground band for the two Wednesday evenings prior to the Sunday worship date. Rehearsals will be Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm and should last no longer than ½ hour.

Learn more about this exciting new opportunity at http://www.penderumc.org/cg-choir

Local Music Camp – Pender!

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Imagine sixty kids singing and playing music to the Lord. What a glorious sound it would be, right? This is the ministry of Music Camp… to give children a chance to see how fun using music to praise the Lord can be! Like Vacation Bible School, which is held the same week in the mornings, this venue encourages the participation of children in a week-long camp format.

Music Ministry staff and volunteers work together each year to organize and orchestrate a summer music camp.  It’s an opportunity for students and parents alike to experience the joy of praising God through music. Musical experience is not necessary to participate! 

At Pender’s Music Camp, rising second through sixth graders sing in choir, play Orff instruments, ring handbells, experiment with rhythm in a percussion class, learn to read music, and make crafts. Older youth are always welcome to help out as teaching assistants.

Friday afternoon traditionally concludes with a musical performance, complete with costumes and choreography, which our campers perform for friends and family!

Please Read: 

  • Online registration is open
  • Please fill out a separate form for each child.
  • There is a total limit of 60 children.
  • Be sure to register your child, not yourself.  Click “Register Additional Individuals/Family”
  • The charge will be $30 per child and $60 max per family.  NOTE:  Be sure to check the box that asks if you are registering 3 or more siblings to get a refund (Are you registering 3 or more siblings (brothers or sisters))
  • The Closing Program will be at 4:00PM.  This is a change from previous years.

Payment Options:

  • Fees must be paid online during registration by check or debit/credit card

Register here: http://www.penderumc.org/musiccamp