June 2003

CDC Music Program

During Olivia Spiro’s time with us in the Independence CDC, it was very clear to see how much she loved school, her family and her music. In her memory, implementing a music program at her school seemed only natural to her family and teachers.

Each of us is born with some music aptitude…the potential to achieve in music.  Music aptitude is innate, but affected by the environment and fluctuates until age 9.  What a child has at this age is what she will have the rest of her life. If not stimulated, the aptitude will weaken; however, the aptitude will increase if a rich musical environment is provided. Research suggests that the most important developmental time for music aptitude to be affected is the first 18 months of life.

Your donations to the Music Program, matched 200% by Computer Associates, will send teachers from each Child Development Center to a specialized music teacher training: Music Together. In addition, your donations will purchase needed instruments and materials to support the Music Program. This is not a 5013C not-for-profit foundation and as a result is not tax deductible.

Music Together

Music Together is a music and movement approach to early childhood music development for infant, toddler, preschool, and kindergarten children and their parents, teachers, and other primary caregivers. Originally offered to the public in 1987, it pioneered the concept of a research-based, developmentally appropriate early childhood music curriculum that strongly emphasizes and facilitates adult involvement. The Music Together approach develops every child's birthright of basic music competence by encouraging the actual experiencing of music rather than the learning of concepts or information about music. It began as an educational project of the Center for Music and Young Children and is now being taught internationally. Music Together CD's, songbooks, and classroom techniques enjoy widespread use by teachers and families both directly and indirectly involved in Music Together.

Teacher Training

The following teachers have been chosen to attend the Music Together Teacher Training:

Independence-Stacey Weiher

Lisle-Deb Jaworski

Plano-Sandra Moore

Islandia- Maureen McGovern, Carolyn Siesto, Ellen McKenna

Contributors

Thank you for all of your contributions and donations! Your support will continue to make our Music Program a great success. All donations are matched 200% by Computer Associates. This is not a 5013C not-for-profit foundation and as a result is not tax deductible.

All of the Child Development Centers have had or will be having a “Bring-and-Buy Yard Sale”. The proceeds from the yard sales will go toward the establishment of The Olivia Spiros Computer Associates Child Development Center Music Program. Children and employees are/were encouraged to bring a toy from home to be donated to the sale and to buy a toy on the day.

The following CDCs have hosted very successful fundraisers and we thank you all for your donations:

Independence collected $400.00

Plano collected $400.00

Islandia collected $863.00

Individual contributions have been made by:

Gary McGuire Sam Puglia & Michelle Spencer

Terry Donovan Phil Kenney

Elizabeth Esper Jennifer McNerney

Lisa Ong Justin & Maureen Gervais

Krista Little Jeff Quaglia

Wasim Ahmad Lynn & Ajit Maira

John Ulery Charles & Marsha Gough

Margaret Brooks Althea and R. Burton Lewis

William and Nancy Machen Cindy Barney

Keith and Terri Wells Jessie Malkin

Karen Davidson Edward & Rosemary Siiman

Diana McVey Pamela Sika

Connie Sheroke