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Music Composer Study
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Wow! Lots of comments and questions floating around here – its GREAT!
We want to study classical music composers this year. Do you have any suggestions? My ds’s piano teacher recommended a few things….
Color the Classics
Meet the Great Composers
Classical Magic
I wondered if any of you have experience with these and what your thoughts are. Also it looks like Color the Classics have some great Hymn studies as well.
Thanks once again
🙂
Heather
I’m sorry to ask again so soon. With all of the wonderful conversations floating around here, this may have gotten overlooked.
Has anyone studied composers?
Thank you! 🙂
Heather, dear, I’m sorry. I just didn’t respond because I have never tried the programs you mentioned.
I only know about Color the Classics, but most of my boys don’t care for coloring, so we never considered it. All we’ve ever done is gotten a list; at first we used a simple book called How to Grow a Young Music Lover; it has twelve listed composers, one for each month, and even lists suggested pieces to listen to. Then we just went bargain CD hunting. Now, we take the module lists here at SCM, and head to the library for a little bio when available, then to eclassical.com for a few pieces for the mp3 player. That’s it! We read the bio, then pop in our music at least once a week. During lunch works really well for us. Easy as pie. 🙂
I took my kids to a municipal band concert last night, and they were SOOOO delighted to have recognized three pieces; a country dance by Mozart, a march by Sousa, and a medley of songs by Gershwin. CM mama happiness right there. 🙂 It can really be this easy. You can try a program if it makes it easier for you, but it doesn’t have to be fancy or cost much. I spent a grand total of $6 for my music this year; I needed to get a CD of Purcell since he isn’t a popular guy on the free classical download places for some reason. Everyone else we had covered with free stuff.
Heather,
We have not used any of those resources either, but what I’ve done is choose a composer randomly (usually someone well known), get several CDs and books, read and listen, and usually do a notebooking page. My kids really like doing it! Last year, we studied Beethoven and Vivaldi, and they got to the point where they would hear the pieces somewhere outside the home and identify the composer. It was a fun game to play with strangers–they’re mistified when a 4yo yells, “Hey Mom, it’s Vivaldi!”
Faith 🙂
P.S. We use Hymns for a Child’s Heart for Hymn study, also. We spent about 10 weeks on each of the composers named above and one hymn.
For a little more investment (unless your library has them), the Classical Kids series is wonderful listening.
Rachel
Thank you so much ladies! I’m glad to know that I don’t have to spend alot of $ on a program or get a fancy curriculum for this – Yeah! I really do want to make our study as simple, enjoyable and low cost as possible-thanks for the ideas Michelle! Faith, how encouraging to know that even your 4yo can recognize composers. Rachel, thanks for reminding me of the classical kids CD’s.
You are all such a blessing and I thank the Lord for you continually!
Heather
Just as a side note. You may want to check if your nearest city has a symphony orchestra. If they do, check if they allow audiences during dress rehearsals. Our local town did this for a while. They called it “Family Night at Rehearsal”. It was free. The only downside was that it was rehearsal so there were moments when the conductor would have the orchestra play through parts several times. The best thing about it was that it was an affordable way for us to hear a live orchestra perform some of the music we were listening to at home.
Karen, I’m pretty sure you live near Chicago. Was that the Chicago Symphony Orchestra that offered that? I live near Chicago, also, and would love to know more about that program.
Faith 🙂
We live near Rockford, IL. It was the Rockford orchestra that did that. I’m not sure if they still do or not. I did a Google search for the Rockford orchestra and that is how I found out about the rehearsal night. You could try a search for any sizable town near you and see what you find out.
I just checked out the Rockford Orchestra’s Web site and they have several interesting opportunities available. One is Sound Bites. It is a get-together with the guest performer. It is free for anyone who wants to attend. They discuss the music to be performed, the musician’s life as a professional, and other things.
The orchestra also has tickets available for “low-income, under-served populations, and students” for a fee of $1.
It is certainly worth your effort to check out what is available in your area. You may be pleasantly surprised at what is available. 🙂
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