Started to help parents and children better understand and enjoy symphonic music at home Maestro Classics combines the performance of symphony music with narrations ranging from classical children’s stories to historical tidbits about the authors and composers.
Recently The Old Schoolhouse Review Crew was able to review this series of educational musical CDs by Maestro Classics.
Maestro Classics is the creation of music director Stephen Simon and executive director Bonnie Ward Simon who envisioned musical performances that would appeal to audiences of all ages.
The Schoolhouse Review Crew were given several titles to review from the Music Maestro Classics CD Collection.
- My Name is Handel: The Story of Water Music: My Name is Handel is the story of the German composer George Frideric Handel set to his symphony music. Includes an activity book with puzzles, games, the history of Handel, and sing-a-long music.
- The Sorcerer’s Apprentice: Composed by Paul Dukas and based on a Poem written by Goethe. The activity booklet includes sing-a-long, information about percussion instruments, sheet music, games and more.
- Casey at the Bat: Written in 1888 this baseball poem is highlighted by jazzy music and cheering crowds. This work also includes “In a Cabin in a Wood” song, and Flight of the Rabbit.
- Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel: Written in 1939 this children’s story is about Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel named Mary Anne. The London Philharmonic Orchestra backs this children’s tale.
The performances on each CD feature the London Philharmonic Orchestra performances, sing a longs, about the music, about the author or composer, and more.
The Maestro Classics CDs are geared towards children ages 5 to 12 and their parents.
Each CD package includes a small activity book that contains the history and background of the music, words to the sing a long songs, information about the composer’s life, puzzles and more.
With Maestro Classics you have the option of purchasing the CD with accompanying activity book or an Mp3 download and an accompanying PDF.
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A big thank you to Kemi Quinn of Homemaking Organized for writing this introductory post.
I used to read the story, “Harry the Dirty Dog,” with classical music, but I can’t remember which piece of music I used. If you can help me make the connection that would be wonderful. If I remember correctly there were violins and the music would change tempo a lot, which fit perfectly with what was going on in the story. Thanks for any help with making the connection.
Lisa Logan Reedy
llogan@sjcoe.net