Maestro Classics Blog

Classical Classroom Podcast

10/26/2018

Maestro Classics is proud to be sponsoring a new season of the Classical Classroom Podcast!

Hosted by Dacia Clay, The Classical Classroom started in 2013 at Houston Public Radio and is now affiliated with KING FM 98.1 in Seattle, WA. In the show, Dacia, (a self-admitted newbie to classical music) interviews some of the biggest names in the genre to learn more about the art form.

Listen to the latest episodes featuring violinist Anne Akiko Meyers, who has released 37 albums to-date and was Billboard’s top selling classical instrumentalist in 2014, and Grammy Award-Winning guitarist Sharon Isbin, head of the Classical Guitar Department at the Juilliard School.

The Classical Classroom also offers free downloadable lesson plans and teacher study guides to accompany many of the episodes.

New episodes come out every Monday and will feature guests like Joshua Bell, Hilary Hahn, and the Miro Quartet.

Listen to Classical Classroom on iTunes.

And After the Fire

10/23/2018

And After the Fire is a novel about Bach (and Mendelssohn) written by a novelist who is married to a musicologist – so the story is fiction but everything surrounding it is true.

A fictitious Bach manuscript is discovered and a young lady who inherits the mysterious gift tries to discover its past.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in knowing more about Bach, his descendants, anti-Semitism, and how Felix Mendelssohn is connected to Bach.

New York Times interview with the author and her husband.

-Bonnie Ward Simon

Maestro Classics in Bhutan, a Kingdom in the Himalayas

10/1/2018

In the fall of last year, I was invited to join in a birding tour of Bhutan. My response was a quick, “I think that the trip might be wasted on me. I know the difference between a cardinal and a blue jay, but I am not a birder. Plus, I do not think that I can commit now to a 3-week trip to Bhutan in April/May of next year. But, do give me a shout before the doors close.” I thought little of it until an email arrived in February saying, “Are you sure you don’t want to join us in Bhutan?” I thought for 2 minutes and then said to myself, “You have always wanted to see the Himalayas, how can you turn down this opportunity???” With much help from Massachusetts Audubon Society - last minute visas, airline flights into Bhutan, hotel reservations were squeezed in - and in May I found myself on a plane to Bangkok via Dubai and then on to the Buddhist Kingdom of Bhutan.

Tiger's Nest Monastery, also known as Paro Taktsang

Traditional home in the countryside. Animals use to sleep on the lower level!

We traveled up and down winding mountain roads; we crossed 14,000 foot high mountain passes. We camped way out in the countryside. We learned about Buddhism, the requirements that new architecture adheres to the traditional designs, and saw most of the population still in their traditional dress. I arrived home feeling that I had been privileged to experience a culture so different from my own.

For many years, the country of 600,000 was closed to the outside world. In 1960, Bhutan was a medieval place with no roads, cars or hospitals. But in 2008 the fourth king declared that the country must become a democracy and insisted that the people should even be able to vote the king out of power if they felt he was not doing a good job. Today they are building the first road from the west to the east end of the country. There is universal education and universal health care. There are still villages where you must walk to reach them, but Bhutan is joining the international community steadily.

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School children in Bhutan

Local festival at a Buddhist Temple

exotic bird in Bhutan

Imagine my surprise when out of the blue we at Maestro Classics received an email from The Netherlands asking if we would donate a set of Maestro Classics CDs to the Kilu Music School in Thimpu, Bhutan. The email began:

The Bhutan Music Foundation, a non-profit organization formed in 2011, is based in The Netherlands for the creation and promotion of musical activity and education in Bhutan, with an emphasis on traditional Bhutanese cultural heritage. They also support general musical education and promote Bhutanese music abroad.

The Kilu Music School was established in March 2005, the Kilu Music School is the first of its kind in the Kingdom of Bhutan. Located in Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, It is run as a non-profit institution and is open to students of any age who want to have a better understanding of the language of music. Students are taught the essentials of music: they practice their music reading and writing skills; they improve their listening skills, and they learn how to play an instrument of their choice.

I wondered if they had gotten my name off of a travel list, but no, they had simply discovered our CD series on the internet and thought it would be an excellent addition to the Kilu Music School curriculum.

When I left Bhutan, I knew I wanted to share something with this special country. What I did not know was that I would be asked to send the perfect thank you gift: a set of Maestro Classics CDs.

Music Teacher, Andrea Vasi (left) and Students at the Kilu Music School with Maestro Classics CDs

Massachusetts Audubon Society in Bhutan

Bonnie Simon in Bhutan

Bonnie Ward Simon featured on the Home & Family Culture Podcast

6/12/2018

Jodie Chaffee interviews Bonnie Ward Simon in this new episode of the Home & Family Culture Podcast. Topics covered include

how Maestro Classics started
why classical music should be part of your life
how to get started with classical music
good music vs bad music
music education (for children & adults)
learning an instrument
family culture / consumers & producers
educational resources

Maestro Classics Narrator Recognized for Service to Students

6/1/2018

Konrad Czynski, the narrator known as "Yadu" in the Maestro Classics Stories in Music series, has received the 2018 Excellence in Service to Students Award from Minnesota State University-Moorhead!

Dr. Czynski is a very popular professor of humanities at Minnesota State University-Moorhead. Learn more about Dr. Czynski and watch this short video by his students:

Can Musical Training Improve Your Child’s Academic Future?

3/26/2018

Learning a musical instrument can be a rewarding experience for your child, or a great bonding activity for the whole family. Did you know that training in music can actually improve brain functionality? Researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital have found that both children and adults with extensive musical training show much more advanced functionality for working memory and processing speed when compared with those with no musical background. Could now be the perfect time for you to start learning to play the guitar?

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Getting started
There are many different types of guitar that you can learn. Your choice will generally be decided by the type of music that you wish to play. It could be a good idea to make a trip to a local music shop to try the different models and decide which one you like the feel of. When trying to get your child interested, consider ways to make practicing the guitar into a game to keep them engaged.

Acoustic guitar
An acoustic guitar is played by picking at the strings with fingers or a pick. The vibration of the strings makes the sound which is made louder by the hollow body of the guitar. A nylon string acoustic guitar is a common choice for beginners as the strings are easier on fingers tired from all that practice. Steel strings are also an option - these are louder to play. There are many affordable models of acoustic guitars on the market that are perfect for those getting started.

Electric guitar
In the past decade, sales of electric guitars have fallen from 1.5 million to 1 million, but don’t let that put you off giving it a go yourself. They are great fun to play but do need to be accompanied by an amplifier or some software with an audio interface and headphones. Electric guitars can be easier to play because they have a smaller body and thinner neck. Also as the amplifier is used to control the sound, it requires a lighter touch on the strings.

Whichever instrument you choose to learn, it is important to remember that you will need to put in many hours of practice to perfect the art. If you are learning an instrument as a family, try to make the learning fun by getting everyone involved. And remember the effort is worth it because music really can help make you smarter.

Music Appreciation Lesson Plans Grades K - 6

3/22/2018

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Use these new music appreciation lesson plans created by Bonnie Ward Simon, to supplement the "Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel" and "Casey at the Bat" CD/MP3.

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel Lesson Plans for grades K-1 & grades 2-3

Casey at the Bat Lesson plans for grades 2-4 & grades 4-6

These lesson plans are designed to introduce the sounds of the symphony orchestra, and meet the national standards for music education which include:

Listening to, analyzing, and describing music.
Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts.
Understanding music in relation to history and culture.
Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
Reading and notating music.
Moving to music

Enjoy!

Sleep, Music, Stories, Quiet Time: What To Do When You Turn Off the Screens

10/24/2017

Studies now show that everyone, not just kids, should turn off their screens well before they are to go to sleep. Some say an hour, some say 2 or 3 hours. Electronic devices – TVs, smartphones, tablets – emit a blue light that signals the brain that it is daytime. Screens can upset your circadian rhythm and your sleep-wake cycle is affected. Hints for getting a good night’s sleep all begin with “Turn off the electronics, or better yet, remove them from the bedroom.”

As children become more and more accustomed and adept at manipulating phones and tablets, handing a child your phone to play some games or a story or video on an iPad becomes increasingly normal. In fact, it may take time not only for children but their parents to really turn off the iPhone an hour before bed and switch to a printed book to read before going to sleep.

Tired parents after a long day are, well, tired. By the time dinner is finished and the dishes are in the dishwasher, most parents yearn for some quiet time during that post-dinner pre-bedtime hour or two. If screens are not a good option if you want your child to have a good night’s sleep, what can you do?

Modern Parents Messy Kids came up with some great before bedtime activities that foster independence and are screen-free that included puzzles, dolls, cars for younger children, and for older children reading, Rubik’s Cube type of challenges, legos, and perhaps weaving. They also highly recommend audiobooks.

How to make children feel less lonely when they are left to entertain themselves? Try putting on some music. Below is a short list of music that you might put on for your child during the quiet time before bed. It is a combination of restful and cheerful. Listen to these samples on Amazon to see what appeals to you as a parent.

Bach Cello Suites Nos. 1, 5 & 6

Bach Brandenburg Concertos

Handel’s Water Music

Debussy - Estampes, Images, Préludes

Debussy Clair de Lune

Debussy Petit Suite

Mozart String Quartets

Haydn Cello Concertos

Satie 3 Gymnopédies

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If you would like to some quiet, no work for you, time with your kids, try listening to the Maestro Classics’ Stories in Music series together. Children love stories and music, and parents and older children will enjoy the composer biographies and friendly talks about music by the conductor. Not sure where to begin? Start with the listening guide.

Reduce Your Child's Screen Time with Fun Activities

9/24/2017

Society demands we stay connected to friends, family and co-wokers 24/7 with smartphones, tablets & laptops. However, it's important to be mindful of the impact these devices are having on young children.

This is not easy.

Most working parents have a difficult time disconnecting never mind keeping track of their children's screen time. But too much screen time for a young mind can hinder cognitive development.

To encourage healthy screen time habits parents must set an example and provide their children with alternatives. One popular activity is listening to classical music.

Most orchestras have a children's concert series to provide age appropriate concerts and educational programs to families. Visit the League of American Orchestras to get in touch with your local symphony and attend a concert this season.

You can also listen to classical music at home or in the car. Use a CD, MP3, or record player to avoid screen time.

Peter and the Wolf is a classic piece of symphonic music written in 1936 by Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev. It includes a narrated story that teaches children the sounds and instruments of the orchestra. This story in music has been enjoyed by families for generations and is a great go-to when it's time to disconnect.

Listen to "Peter and the Wolf" on Amazon

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SOURCES
1. Rideout, Victoria “ Generation M: Media in the Lives of 8-18 Year-Olds”. A Kaiser Family Foundation Study The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Jan. 2010 https://kaiserfamilyfoundation.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/8010.pdf
2. Merga, Margaret Kristin. "Research shows the importance of reading with children - even after children can read." The Conversation. 27 Aug. 2017. Web. 24 Sept. 2017 https://theconversation.com/research-shows-the-importance-of-parents-reading-with-children-even-after-children-can-read-82756
3. Nott, Angie. "Teaching Your Child to be a Good Teammate." Omaha World Herald. 07 Sept. 2017. Web. 24 Sept. 2017. http://www.omaha.com/momaha/extras/expert-advice/teaching-your-child-to-be-a-good-teammate/article_e54137fe-8f43-11e7-8dba-9be2c91085ce.html
4. Fallon, Claire "In The Digital Age, Young Kids Need Classical Music More Than Ever." Huffington Post. 05 Oct. 2015. Web. 24 Sept. 2017.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/classical-music-for-kids-digital-age_us_560eee6ee4b0768127021a69
5. Wells, N.M. “At Home with Nature: Effects of “greenness” on children’s cognitive functioning.” Environment and Behavior 32.6 (2000): 775-795. http://eab.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/32/6/775

Meet a New Instrument...The French Horn

7/28/2017

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All instruments are difficulty to play, but the French horn is probably the most difficult brass instrument to play well. The French horn is made of an enormously long piece of brass tubing. If you stretched out a French horn it would extend half way across the front of the stage! The tubing is actually 25 feet long.

Something very strange happens to a brass instrument when the tubing is very long. Suddenly, you push down the valves, but instead of the right note coming out, lots of different notes can come out and YOU have to pick out the right one with your lips! On the trumpet, when you press down the first valve, you might get a B-flat instead of an F, but a B-flat is a lot higher than an F, so you would know that it is wrong. On the French horn, if you press down the first valve you might get a D or an F or a B-flat, and because the notes are closer together, it is more difficult to tell if you are right or wrong.

Until the 19th century, French horns had no valves. The player carried a suitcase filled with crooks, or extra lengths of tubing. Depending on the key he was playing in, he put in a length of tubing that was the right length for that key. By the end of the 19th century, horns were made in F, and people learned to play them, but it was still very difficult, so an extra set of tubing was added to create a "double" French horn, to help musicians play the high notes more accurately. Today, there are even "triple" French horns, to help players.

The American Horn Quartet

The American Horn Quartet is amazing because of how well they play these very tricky instruments. They make it look and sound very easy, but anyone who has ever tried to play the French horn knows that these musicians are practically wizards on this beastly instrument.

Recordings by the American Horn Quartet

French Horn Cases

French horn cases come in two styles: the standard one that is in the shape of a French horn, and the slim rectangular one that looks like a suitcase or backpack.

HOW CAN YOU FIT A FRENCH HORN INTO A FLAT, RECTANGULAR CASE?

The bell of certain French horns screws off so that they can travel in flat cases. The standard French horn case will not fit under any airline seat or in any overhead compartment! With a standard case, you either have to buy a seat for your horn, lock it and put it in with the luggage (always dangerous!), or purchase a horn with a removable bell.

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standard French horn case

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French horn case for removable bell

visit www.hornguys.com for more French horn cases.

Bores, Boars, Boring, Bored...

The French horn, unlike the trumpet, has a conical bore. The tubing, if you uncurled it, is cone-shaped, namely it gradually gets larger all the way from the mouthpiece to the bell. This may seem like a subtle difference, but actually it changes the way the instrument sounds. A conical bore creates a much more mellow sound. The mellow tone of the French horn is due to its conical tubing.

Cylindrical bores, or tubing that begins with a mouth piece and the travels straight and only flares out at the bell, produce a brighter, brassier sound. Trumpets have cylindrical bores. Think of the sound of a trumpet. Then think of the sound of the French horn. They have totally different personalities!

French Horn Activities

Now that you know all about French horns, print out this fun maze

Check out the Merry Pranks of Master Till Science Curriculum Guide for more information on the french horn and other brass instruments.