The Magic of Music
Classes help develop love of tunes
By Briana Hovendick

During a recent Petite Musician class at Glory of God Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, several children and their parents sat in a circle to sing along to familiar Christmas and Hanukah songs. Instructor Mark Biesterfeld dumped a box of musical triangles in the center, and the group sang “Silver Bells” as the chirping sound of a dozen triangles filled the room.  Biesterfeld and his wife, Leah, teach Music Together classes for young children in Wheat Ridge, Lakewood and Littleton through their franchise, Petite Musician. 

  Music Together is an internationally recognized early childhood music program for infants, toddlers and preschoolers and their parents and caregivers. The classes introduce children to music, movement, rhythm and instrument play with developmentally appropriate activities and songs.  Parent and caregivers play a central roll in helping their children learn to make music by participating in the activities, Mark Biesterfeld said. Introducing children to the magic of music is an opportunity for Biesterfeld to use his professional training and exercise a central part of his personality, he said. “I like being essentially goofy he said.

The Biesterfelds both hold master of music degrees in voice, and worked as professional opera singers for the 10 years before settling in Mark’s hometown of Wheat Ridge a few years ago. They knew they didn’t want to raise their daughters Annalise, 6, and Sophie, 3, on the professional opera circuit, with its constant traveling and auditioning, Leah Biesterfeld said. Soon after the move, Leah heard about Music Together, and the couple started its own franchise. They now teach 18 to 20 classes a week, Mark Biesterfeld said.

Learning musical skills at an early age is as important as developing verbal skills, Mark Biesterfeld said. The earlier they start, the more fully they can develop their potential,” he said.  Music Together is based on the idea that all children can learn to sing in tune and keep a beat, and the best way to learn music is to create it, rather than passively receiving it through a recording Mark Biesterfeld said.

Biesterfeld brought out a box of tambourines for “Hanukah at Home,” inflatable balls for “Frosty the Snowman” and plastic egg shakers for “ Feliz Navidad.” The group danced in a circle, with a few errant toddlers stationed in the center. Mark Biestereld’s rich bass carried the melody, but everyone sang along.  After a few more festive songs and a cacophony of maracas, cymbals, drums and happy infant squeals, Mark Biesterfeld calmed the crowd with lights-out sing-along version of “Silent Night.” 

Jane Hittle, who brought her sons Luke, 4, and Ben, 10 months, to the special holiday session, has been coming to Music Together classes for two years. The music helps her kids’ coordination and development, and has inspired Luke to make music all over their house.  “He started singing and never stopped,” Hittle said.

The Biesterfelds haven’t entirely abandoned opera, Leah Biesterfeld said. Both are performing as soloists in Beethoven’s “Ninth Symphony” with the Boulder Philharmonic in April but they love working with kids Leah Biesterfeld said.  “We have a pretty cool job, she said.