My Music Notes...
Eventually I'd like to give my kids the opportunity to pick a Musical Instrument to learn to play (if they choose), but first I want to expose them to all the Instruments and give them an understanding and appreciation for some of the great Composers and their Works. As soon as they have the fine motor skills, I plan to start piano lessons. I would like them to study piano for a year or two to learn the basics of reading music. Then, they can choose another instrument of their choice.
I have come up with a rough "plan" of what I plan to expose them to and when. This is a work in progress, so if anyone reading this has any additional ideas (books or CDs I did not list) please mention them in the comments section. Thanks.
Music Appreciation and Awareness PK-5
PK (age 3-6)
CDs:
Peter and the Wolf (book and CD)
Sergei Prokofiev (Author), et al.
Carnival of the Animals (book and CD)
Camille Saint-Saens (Author), et al.
Moving With Mozart
W.A. Mozart
The Mozart Effect Music for Children, Volume 2: Relax, Daydream, & Draw
Stepan Turnovsky
Jazz for Kids: Sing, Clap, Wiggle and Shake
Various Artists
Books:
Bat Boy and His Violin by Gwin Curtis
Max Found Two Sticks by Brain Pinkney
Mole Music by David McPhail
The Philharmonic Gets Dressed by Karla Kuskin
Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin by Lloyd Moss
I know a Shy Fellow who Swallowed a Cello by Barbara S. Garriel
Meet the Orchestra by Ann Hayes
Freddie the Frog and the Thump in the Night: 1st Adventure--Treble Clef Island
Freddie the Frog and the Bass Clef Monster: 2nd Adventure Bass Clef Monster
Outings: Go see Peter and the Wolf
K-2 (ages 6-8):
Continue reading above books.
Begin Classical Composer Study- study 1 composer at a time spending about 6-8 weeks on each composer and listening only to his music during this time
1. Bach
Bach’s Big Adventure
Mr. Bach comes to Call
Bach’s Goldberg Variations (CD and book)
Anna Harwell Celenza
Cello of Mr. O by Jane Cutler
2. Mozart
Mozart Finds a Melody by Stephen Costanza
Mozart's Magic Fantasy
The Magic Flute by Anne Gatti
3. Beethoven
Beethoven Lives Upstairs (book) by Barbara Nichol and Scott Cameron
Beethoven Lives Upstairs (CD) by Classical Kids
Heroic Symphony (CD and book)
Anna Harwell Celenza
Jazz Artist Study- same as Classical Composer study- study one at a time for 6-8 weeks and find recordings of this artist to listen to as well.
Books:
Hip Cat by Jonathan London
Jazz Fly by Matthew Gollab
Charlie Parker played Be Bop by Chris Raschka
John Coltrane’s Giant Steps by Chris Raschka
1. Thelonius Monk
Mysterious Thelonious by Chris Raschka
2. Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald by Andrea Davis Pinkney
a Tisket, a Tasket by Ella Fitzgerald
3. Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington by Andrea Davis Pinkney
Grade 1-3:
Review previous Composers and Jazz Artists.
Review Music Families.
Start talking about Musical Eras and which one each Composer/Jazz Artist belonged to.
Start teaching kids how to read music/begin piano lessons.
Study New Composers:
1. Haydn
Farewell Symphony (CD and book)
Anna Harwell Celenza
2. Gershwin
Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue (CD and book)
Anna Harwell Celenza
3. Mussorgsky
Pictures at an Exhibition (CD and book)
Anna Harwell Celenza
New Jazz Artists:
?
Christmas season: Read Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffman and go see it if possible
Grade 2-5:
Review previous Composers and Jazz Artists.
Review Musical Eras and which one each Composer belonged to.
Introduce New Composers:
Handel
CD: Classical Kids: Hallelujah Handel!
Book: Hallelujah Handel by Douglas Cowling
Debussy
Listen to: Children's Corner; Suite Bergamasque; Images
Vivaldi
CD: Vivaldi's Ring Of Mystery- Classical Kids
Haydn
Tchaikovsky
Tchaikovsky Discovers America- Classical Kids
Schoenberg
Gershwin
Copland
Bernstein
Mahler
Wagner
Brahms
New Jazz Artists:
?
(Any CD or Book Reccomendations the above composers for kids are appreciated! Please leave a comment!)
Books
Review:
Story of an Orchestra: Listen While You Learn About the Instruments, the Music and the Composers Who Wrote the Music! by Robert Levine
The Story of the Incredible Orchestra
Start History of Rock and Roll Study:
Suggestions please! Comment if you know of any good resources for kids.