Music starts small—and grows with your child.
Sing, Play, Learn with MacPhail® (SPL) is MacPhail’s award-winning early childhood music program for children from 6 weeks through age 8. Through singing, movement, instrument exploration, creative play, and age-appropriate musical experiences, children build confidence, support cognitive development, develop foundational music skills, and discover the joy of making music.
Designed by early childhood music specialists and taught by expert faculty, SPL grows with your child through every stage of early development, from a baby’s first musical experience to the skills that support success in future lessons and lifelong music-making.
A Musical Journey That Grows With Your Child
As children grow, their musical needs change. Our developmental stage experiences are designed to meet them where they are—building skills, confidence, and a lifelong love of music along the way.
Discover (6 weeks–3 years) • Spark (3–5 years) • Prepare (5–8 years)
Some classes appear in multiple stages, reflecting the natural overlap that occurs as children grow and develop at their own pace.
Discover
6 weeks – 3 years
Music is a shared experience.
Children and caregivers sing, move, play, and explore together while building early listening skills, coordination, language development, and social-emotional connections. These joyful classes nurture curiosity and create meaningful opportunities to bond through music.
Children in Discover experiences build:
- Early listening and attention skills
- Coordination and motor development
- Language and social development
- Beginning musical expression and creativity
- Strong caregiver-child connections
Explore classes such as:
- Music for Babies
- Music for 1s and 2s
- Music for 2s and 3s
- Music for 3s and 4s
- Music for Families
- Musical Story Times (drop-in)
- Suzuki Stars
Spark
Ages 3–5
As children grow, so does their musical confidence.
Through singing, movement, instrument exploration, and collaborative music-making, children strengthen foundational skills while developing creativity, independence, and self-expression. Spark experiences encourage children to participate more actively, take musical risks, explore a variety of instruments and musical concepts, and discover what excites them most as they prepare for the next stage of their musical journey.
Children in Spark experiences build:
- Singing and expressive skills
- Rhythmic awareness and musical concept development
- Listening and ensemble habits
- Musical imagination and creativity
- Confidence and independence
Explore classes such as:
- Music for 3s and 4s
- Suzuki Stars
- Musical Trolley
- Musical World
- Music for Families
- Musical Story Times (drop-in)
Prepare
Ages 5–8
The Prepare stage helps children turn musical curiosity into musical readiness.
Through increasingly focused musical experiences, students strengthen the foundational skills that support future success in music study. They develop concentration, rhythmic fluency, listening skills, musical independence, and confidence while continuing to learn through joyful, collaborative music-making.
Whether they eventually pursue lessons, ensembles, or other musical opportunities, Prepare experiences help children develop the confidence, habits, and foundational skills that support success in whatever musical path comes next.
Children in Prepare experiences build:
- Strong rhythmic and listening skills
- Musical independence
- Focus and perseverance
- Ensemble awareness and collaboration
- Confidence in trying new challenges
- Readiness for future music study
Explore classes such as:
- Suzuki Stars
- Musical Trolley
- Musical World
- Beginning Ukulele for Children
- Musical Bridges
What Comes After SPL?
The skills children develop through Sing, Play, Learn with MacPhail®—listening, rhythm, creativity, focus, confidence, musical concept understanding, and a love of making music—provide a strong foundation for future musical success.
As children complete their SPL journey, many families choose to continue to beginning group classes and individual lessons at MacPhail, depending on their child’s readiness.
Browse Current Classes
Ready to find the right fit for your child? Explore upcoming Sing, Play, Learn with MacPhail® offerings below.
Good to Know: Classes start at just $24.50 per session. A 10% sibling discount and financial aid are available to help make music accessible for every family.
Discover
6 weeks – 3 years
Music is a shared experience.
Children and caregivers sing, move, play, and explore together while building early listening skills, coordination, language development, and social-emotional connections. These joyful classes nurture curiosity and create meaningful opportunities to bond through music.
Children in Discover experiences build:
- Early listening and attention skills
- Coordination and motor development
- Language and social development
- Beginning musical expression and creativity
- Strong caregiver-child connections
Explore classes such as:
- Music for Babies
- Music for 1s and 2s
- Music for 2s and 3s
- Music for 3s and 4s
- Music for Families
- Musical Story Times (drop-in)
- Suzuki Stars
Spark
Ages 3–5
As children grow, so does their musical confidence.
Through singing, movement, instrument exploration, and collaborative music-making, children strengthen foundational skills while developing creativity, independence, and self-expression. Spark experiences encourage children to participate more actively, take musical risks, explore a variety of instruments and musical concepts, and discover what excites them most as they prepare for the next stage of their musical journey.
Children in Spark experiences build:
- Singing and expressive skills
- Rhythmic awareness and musical concept development
- Listening and ensemble habits
- Musical imagination and creativity
- Confidence and independence
Explore classes such as:
- Music for 3s and 4s
- Suzuki Stars
- Musical Trolley
- Musical World
- Music for Families
- Musical Story Times (drop-in)
Prepare
Ages 5–8
The Prepare stage helps children turn musical curiosity into musical readiness.
Through increasingly focused musical experiences, students strengthen the foundational skills that support future success in music study. They develop concentration, rhythmic fluency, listening skills, musical independence, and confidence while continuing to learn through joyful, collaborative music-making.
Whether they eventually pursue lessons, ensembles, or other musical opportunities, Prepare experiences help children develop the confidence, habits, and foundational skills that support success in whatever musical path comes next.
Children in Prepare experiences build:
- Strong rhythmic and listening skills
- Musical independence
- Focus and perseverance
- Ensemble awareness and collaboration
- Confidence in trying new challenges
- Readiness for future music study
Explore classes such as:
- Suzuki Stars
- Musical Trolley
- Musical World
- Beginning Ukulele for Children
- Musical Bridges
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Musical Bridges Instrument Sampler (6-8yr) – FALL Semester
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Beginning Ukulele Class for Children (ages 6-8) – FALL
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Musical World (5-7 yr) Minneapolis – FALL Semester
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Musical Trolley (4-6 yr) Minneapolis – FALL Semester
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Suzuki Stars (3-5 yr) Minneapolis – FALL Semester
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Music for Families (6 wk-5 yr) Minneapolis – FALL Semester
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Music for 1s and 2s (10-24 mo) Minneapolis – FALL Semester
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Music for 3s and 4s (3-4 yr) Minneapolis – FALL Semester
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Music for 2s and 3s (2-3 yr) Minneapolis – FALL Semester
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Musical Story Times – Apple Valley: Thursday 9:45am – FALL
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Musical Story Times – Minneapolis: Saturday 10:30am – FALL
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Music for Families (6 wk-5 yr) Apple Valley – FALL Semester
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Music for Babies (6 wk-10 mo) Minneapolis – FALL Semester
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Music for Families (6 wk-5 yr) Chanhassen – FALL Semester
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Songwriting Camp for Kids: August 3-7
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Sing Play Act! Camp: July 13-17
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Musical World Camp: August 10-14
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Music, Lyrics & Ukulele Camp: July 13-17
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Beginning Ukulele Camp: August 10-14
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Ukulele and More (6-8 yr) Minneapolis – SUMMER
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Suzuki Stars (3-5 yr) Minneapolis – SUMMER
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Music for 3s and 4s (3-4 yr) Minneapolis – SUMMER
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Animals On Parade: Musical Trolley Camp CHANHASSEN: Aug 3-7
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Music for 2s and 3s (2-3 yr) Minneapolis – SUMMER
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Music for 1s and 2s (10-24 mo) Minneapolis – SUMMER
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Music for Families (6 wk-5 yr) Minneapolis – SUMMER
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Music for Families (6 wk-5 yr) Chanhassen – SUMMER
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Music for Families (6 wk-5 yr) Apple Valley – SUMMER
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Musical Story Times: Chanhassen – Wed 9:45am – SUMMER
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Musical Story Times: Apple Valley – Thurs 9:45am – SUMMER
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Music for Babies (6 wk-10 mo) Minneapolis – SUMMER
Questions and Comments
If you would like to ask a question or learn more about Sing Play Learn with MacPhail®, contact our student services team at [email protected] or call 612.321.0100.