What: Early Childhood Music Program for children from birth through 5 years old. Parents and guardians participate in the sessions with their children, who experience musical learning through play.

When: Families may register for one of two 10-week sessions held Fridays and Saturdays starting Sept. 18 and 19.

Where: Room 115 in the College of Music Annex, at the corner of Avenue C and Highland in Denton

Cost/Registration: The 10-week session costs $150 for participants from birth to 24 months of age and $170 for older children. Friday sessions also require paid parking, available for $2 an hour in the Highland Street Parking Garage. Saturday parking is free in Lot 26, across the street from the Annex. An adult should be present for each child. Registration is preferred by Sept. 14. Forms may be found at https://musiced.music.unt.edu/ecmusic/registration.

Contact: To receive a discount code when registering two or more children from the same family and for more information on the classes, contact Assistant Director Sandy Cubero at ecmusic@unt.edu.

DENTON (UNT), Texas -- Helping young children develop an inherent musical understanding has long been the purpose of the UNT College of Music's Early Childhood Music Program. This fall, a new face will continue building upon that goal.

New assistant director Sandy Cubero will serve as instructor for the program, which begins on September 18th and runs through November 20. Cubero joins Early Childhood Music Director Warren Henry in the program, designed to create a rich musical environment for babies and young children.

As a mother of a 1-year-old son, Cubero understands the importance of introducing children to music during the early formative years of their lives.

"The program includes songs, chants and activities that appeal to young children in a way that helps them understand musical basics such as tone and rhythm," Cubero said. "Children learn about music in a way that is similar to how they learn language - through fun and play - all in an environment that allows them to socialize with other children and bond with their parents."

The classes, taught in room 115 in the College of Music Annex, begin Sept. 18 for the Friday track and Sept. 19 for the Saturday track and run for 10 weeks.

Registration is preferred by Sept. 14, but the program will accept participants later if space allows. Additional children may attend at a 10 percent discount. An adult should be present for each child.

Classes and costs are as follows:

Friday classes

• Starts Sept. 18 and ends Nov. 20 (10 weeks)
• Infant (birth to 24 months) 9:10 to 9:40 a.m. - $150
• Nursery (25 months to 48 months) 9:50 to 10:30 a.m. - $170
• Multi-age (birth to 5 years) 10:40 to 11:20 a.m. - $170
• Preschool (3 1/2 to 5 years) 11:30 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. - $170

Saturday classes

• Starts Sept. 19 and ends Nov. 21 (10 weeks)
• Infant (birth to 24 months) 8:30 to 9 a.m. - $150
• Infant (birth to 24 months) 9:10 am to 9:40 a.m. - $150
• Nursery (25 months to 48 months) 9:50 to 10:30 a.m. - $170
• Multi-age (birth to 5 years) 10:40 to 11:20 a.m. - $170
• Preschool (3 1/2 to 5 years) 11:30 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. - $170

Because UNT has classes on Fridays, those attending Friday sessions will have to pay for parking, which is available for $2 an hour in the Highland Street Parking Garage. A map of the parking garage location can be found at http://maps.unt.edu/places/3798/view. Parking for Saturday classes is free in the lot across from the Music Annex building, Lot 26 at the corner of Avenue C and Highland Street.

Classes are held in the Music Annex building, room 115, on UNT's Denton campus. The building is at the corner of Avenue C and Highland Street. A searchable map of the Denton campus can be found at http://maps.unt.edu.

To register, go to https://musiced.music.unt.edu/ecmusic/registration.

For more information, email Cubero at ecmusic@unt.edu.

About UNT's Early Childhood Music Program

Directed by Warren Henry, associate dean of academic affairs in UNT's College of Music, the Early Childhood Music Program aims to maximize children's musical learning opportunities. Classes differ according to the age levels and readiness of the children, but all classes include songs, chants, movement and instrument exploration.

About Sandy Cubero

Assistant Director Sandy Cubero holds a B.M. in music education from Georgia State University and a M.S. in Educational Leadership from Indiana University. Sandy taught elementary music in Indiana for five years before moving to Texas. She teaches private lessons in cello, violin and piano. As a music teacher, she incorporates movement, games, and singing to foster a holistic learning experience.  

About the UNT College of Music

The UNT College of Music is one of the largest and most respected comprehensive music schools in the country. More than 1,600 music students attend UNT each year, participating in more than 50 widely varied ensembles and pursuing specialized studies in performance, composition, music education or music scholarship. UNT faculty members and students have made appearances on the world's finest stages and have produced numerous recordings, many receiving Grammy awards and nominations. Distinguished UNT alumni can be found around the globe, in top music ensembles, opera companies, universities and schools.