Children moved to music at Kutztown Community Library’s July 21 Summer Reading Program.
Music therapist Julie Keller, of Keller Music in Wyomissing, presented a music program for children. She sang the book “The Animal Boogie” by Debbie Harter, and got them up dancing to music. The children also made their own shakers using rice and beans and then used them to make their own music. The program concluded with each child getting to do a single strum on her guitar.
“I liked it a lot because the kids had a chance to get up and move around,” said Kutztown Youth Librarian Taylor Kutz. “This is the first one that we had a presenter come and do crafts with the kids and they got to take something home with them which is nice.”
The program Move to the Music fits the Summer Reading Program theme, “On Your Mark, Get Set… Read!”
“Eating healthy and exercising. She brought egg shakers that were shaped like different fruits and she got the kids up and moving which is pretty much what the theme is all about,” said Kutz. “We were really happy to have Julie and it’s always nice to have local presenters come and put on a show for us.”
Keller has been presenting music programs for children for about 18 years. This summer, she has visited libraries and playgrounds.
“I’m trying to blend in with the Summer Reading Program in that I’m getting them moving to music, which is a natural thing for them to move to so it really works well with the theme this summer. And to encourage them to be at the library and read.”
Keller and her daughter love the library.
“It’s just great to encourage them to do that as opposed to always being on their devices. It’s great to be in an interactive environment where they can get that togetherness in a community. We love the library,” said Keller.
She asked volunteers to help make music while she taught them a bit about the instruments.
“I like to educate them as I’m doing it… show them how to play it, what it is, what the parts are and they’ll have a little more respect, too, because sometimes they can be a little rough,” said Keller. “A little lesson on how to play it properly so they can take care it and know how to treat the instrument as well and respect the instruments.”
She hopes the children take something home with them from the program.
“I’d love for them to take a love of music but most of them already love music anyway so it’s just really another experience for them to encourage them to keep moving and to do fun things with music at home and just be involved in music in their life,” said Keller. “Even if they’re not a musician, to just know that it’s something that can be a motivator to move and a motivator to do stuff and get out.”
For more information about Julie Keller and Keller Music, visit https://keller.musicteachershelper.com/.
