OnFebruary 22, 2019

Musical Garden at St. Catherine’s School

Playgrounds that enhance children’s experiences with music are a growing trend because music helps children develop cognitive and fine motor skills. St. Catherine’s School in Richmond, VA engaged MaxPlayFit to create and install a musical garden for their preschool area, which included:

Cool Keys
Glockenspiel
Lilypad Cymbals
Manta Ray
Mini Marimba
Single Post Bongos

The Cool Keys musical instrument lets children explore sound and music on the playground. It helps promote listening and social skills.

The Glockenspiel is an outdoor musical instrument similar to a xylophone whose keys are made of metal plates instead of wood. It enables children to create their own musical tunes and learn more about making music.

The Lilypad Cymbals give children 10 multilayered discs to create a wave of pleasing sounds and musical harmony for listeners. Three mallets means three users can play at the same time!

The Manta Ray is designed for two people to play side-by-side. The design and tonal qualities of the musical instrument both undulate and ripple mimicking the actual wingspan of a Manta Ray. No need to be able to read music, even toddlers can play airy and tranquil sounds from such a graceful, artistic instrument!

The Mini Marimba, a xylophone with wooden bars, is a percussion instrument that has a 2-octave C Major scale. The word Marimba is one of many African names for the xylophone.

The Single Post Bongo encourages children to learn about sounds and rhythms.

St. Catherine’s School in Richmond, VA is a leader in girls’ education for ages 3 through grade 12.