The Bellingham Public Library is hosting two free Music Together sessions at the Central Library on Friday, September 4, giving families with young children a chance to experience structured musical play led by a professional music educator. The classes are part of a partnership with Music Together Fairhaven, and no registration is required for either session.
Two Sessions, Two Age Groups
The morning will offer two distinct programs designed for different stages of early childhood development. The first session runs from 10:05 to 10:55 a.m. and is open to children from birth through age five, along with the adults who care for them. Led by Ms. Audrey of Music Together Fairhaven, the class spans a wide range of musical activities, from lullabies to full group jam sessions using child-sized instruments. The format reflects the Music Together philosophy that early musical engagement supports cognitive development, language acquisition, and social bonding between young children and their caregivers.
The second session, running from 11:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m., is specifically designed for babies age birth through eight months and their adults. This "babies only" program focuses on how music can strengthen the bond between caregiver and infant during the earliest months of life. Ms. Audrey will guide participants through how to encourage musical development in non-mobile babies and what milestones to look for as infants begin responding to rhythm and melody. Because the session is tailored to the youngest and least mobile children, older siblings are asked not to attend this particular class.
About Music Together and the Fairhaven Chapter
Music Together is an internationally recognized early childhood music and movement program founded in the United States in 1987. The program is built on research showing that all children have musical potential and that early exposure to music, particularly in the company of caregivers, supports broader developmental outcomes. Music Together operates through licensed centers worldwide, and the Fairhaven chapter, Music Together Fairhaven, serves Bellingham and surrounding Whatcom County communities.
The library partnership brings the program to families who may not have access to paid Music Together classes, which typically run in multi-week session formats. A single drop-in event at a public library removes financial and logistical barriers for families who are curious about the program or who simply want an engaging morning activity with their child.
Where to Go and What to Bring
Both sessions will be held in the Lecture Room at the Bellingham Public Library's Central branch at 210 Central Avenue in downtown Bellingham. The Central Library is easily accessible by foot from much of the Lettered Streets and downtown neighborhoods, and WTA bus service stops nearby on Cornwall Avenue. With new WTA fares of $2 per ride taking effect September 1, transit is a practical option for families heading downtown on a Friday morning.
No registration is required for the 10:05 a.m. family session. Families with babies eight months and under planning to attend the 11:30 a.m. session should keep in mind the age restriction to help the program remain focused on the developmental needs of the youngest attendees. Caregivers with questions ahead of time can contact the Children's Department at 360-778-7200.
September 4 is also the date of downtown Bellingham's next First Friday art walk, making it a full-day opportunity for families to combine the morning library session with an evening stroll through galleries and shops. For more on what is coming up in the community this fall, a roundup of upcoming Whatcom County events through early September has additional details on activities for all ages.
The classes are free, open to the public, and designed to be welcoming to families at any level of musical experience.
