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Chari
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I have an old article I wrote, many moons ago, about how we study Classical music in our home. I would like to update it a bit.....not sure when that will happen 
Anyway, we still do it pretty much the same way. Here it is:
Classical Music Study
by Chari Bryan
From infancy, our children have been exposed to lullabies, classical music, children's folk music and, of course, the music of The Church. All of them love music, and are usually humming familiar tunes by the age of one. And so last fall, it was decided that it was time to study classical music with more structure. I developed a "curriculum" tailored for our family's needs and abilities. It has been working so well!
We take one composer and study him (or her!) for about six weeks. We can, (and have!) taken longer, if the preference is there. We read one or more biographies, either obtained from the library or purchased in the children's section of a bookstore. If your library does not carry a book that you desire, they can usually order it with the interlibrary loan program. An excellent set we have discovered is Composer Highlights, "an educational coloring book series," found in the catalog resource following this article. It has a good biography of the composer as well as pictures to color. I make photocopies of a few pictures for each child to color while I read the biography or when they have some "free" time between subjects. This keeps the book in reusable condition for when the little ones are ready to use it.
During the six weeks, we listen to the composer's music. We listen at breakfast or lunch, or perhaps while folding clothes. The two younger girls are often found choreographing a ballet recital. We find many discarded record albums of classical music in thrift stores for a dollar or less. (Yes, we still have a record player.) Even new cassette tapes of classical music can be found affordable at discount stores or bargain tables. Most public libraries have cassettes and/or CDs to borrow. We get some good variety this way. Ask your librarian. The library may also have videos about specific composers or classical music in general. We have been borrowing a series called, "Concerts for Young People", hosted by Leonard Bernstein. It is old, but the lessons taught are good. And let's not forget the family favorite, The Classical Kids series of audiotapes and one video. They even have teachers' guides, though we have not used or seen them. Basically, each tape consists of a story about a composer, with the composer as the main character. There are usually a few children co-starring and LOTS of selections of that composer's music throughout the story. These are great for mealtimes (it really quiets the house down!) and the car. "Beethoven Lives Upstairs", "Tchaikovsky Discovers America" and "Mozart's Magnificent Voyage" are just a few of the choices. A word of warning: not all composers lead perfectly moral lives (why is that?). It is a good idea to read the biographies to your children, editing and explaining as necessary. The "Composer Highlights" series appears to be rather tame and focus on the positive attributes of a composer's life.
Live music cannot be left out of these studies, if at all possible. Keep your eyes and ears open for music concerts. Although we live in a small town, we have been able to attend a few concerts this year at a nearby college. Even the little ones get a kick out of being up close to the musicians. Our toddler has been "conducting" for about half his life! If you live near a university or college, get on their mailing list. Many concerts are free or there are often a few free seats set aside for homeschoolers or students in general. That is how we have been able to attend this year. Just ask, somebody might be able to work something out for you. We studied Tchaikovsky in November-December. We were then able to attend a ballet of The Nutcracker, as well as read several books about The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty Ballet and Swan Lake. We even borrowed videos of each of these ballets from the library. We are on our fifth composer now and have definitely benefited from this exposure.
We have had lots of family closeness and the common knowledge makes for good conversations. We have studied a bit of history and geography, and even plotted some dates on our homemade timeline and places on our maps. We have had many discussions regarding religion, especially about the Reformation. The children become accustomed to hearing music that lifts the soul. Even before starting this study, our 4 year old would beg for "ballet music". As the study moved on, I noticed the music did a lot to help calm the inner turmoil with which she seemed to be born (!). And at piano lessons, both the older children have actually recognized composers' pieces or styles. In fact, just recently my son has improved in his abilities and his desire for practice. I really feel it has been this exposure.
We enjoy this "curriculum" so much. We plan to continue until we run out of composers. And then, we can start over again! In closing, let me present a quote I found in another article just after completing this article. "Can we find any better formation for the soul than music?" -----Plato
Resources: Music in Motion, call for catalog, 1-800-445-0649 and Friendship House, 1-800-791-9876.
__________________
Chari...Take Up & Read
Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
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Leonie
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Chari,
Thank you for your article.
We don't really study music here - we play instruments, Jonathon likes to write music and songs ( folk and pop punk), Luke writes stuff too and we listen to a variety of styles and composers.
We also love the old musicals on video.
I realised just lately that I am eclectic in everything I do - in my furnishings, in my reading, in my exercise workouts, in music tastes - you name it!
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Leonie in Sydney
Living Without School
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Cindy
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I enjoyed your artile, Chari- it really reinforses the immersion.. or enhancing the atmosphere of the home to make it part of life.
I know I posted this before, but we listened to John Phillip Sousa (the march king) for weeks and we got lots of housework done! HUP TWO THREE FOUR! 
I recently found a gem- Classical Music for Dummies. It it not written by dummies, but two very knowledgeable guys (based on their bio) and written in fun language.
It comes with a CD and the best part is picking a selection and listening to it while reading the guide. They explain the selection, what the composer is trying to achieve, etc. My boys enjoyed it and they "don't like" classical music. But they love the John Williams score for Star Wars. (It is beautifully orchstrated and reminds me of an opera- they can remember each scene of the movie by the score..)
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Cindy in Texas
It Is About The Journey
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Chari
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The Dummies book is a great book! I highly recommend it!
John Williams has been one of my favorites since I was a kid. I can always recognize it in movies.......one of my talents :)
See if you can find a CD of his "greatest Hits" at the library......my kids love listening to him.
Funny, the first Christmas of my marriage.....my dh asked for a list of my wishes:
and I had put the ALBUM (now I need the CD  ) of the Star Wars soundtrack on it.......he thought I was silly :)......but, he did get it for me.
He also compsed the music for Indiana Jones, ET, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Jaws (which my dad never let me see, because we lived on the boardwalk in Venice Beach, CA......and he did not want us freaked out  ), Superman............here, check out this website: looks like he even did Gilligan's Island!!
http://www.mfiles.co.uk/Composers/John-Williams.htmhttp://www.mfiles.co.uk/Composers/John-Williams.htm
You can see why BOYS especially like him :)
if they are LOTR fans............the music score for those movies is so wonderful, eh, MacBeth? I love listening to it while I work in the kitchen :)
oh, and Pirates of the Caribbean is oh, so, good!!
I have five pianists, Leonie..........if we lived in a larger town, I would have them do more intruments........but, one of the hazards of a small town, is the lack of availability of just any instrument. Right, Willa? Plus.........the ability to pay for lessons of so many, it is a bit hard, too. I have several that SO want to play the violin.
MY oldest is planning to major in piano. My fourth is very talented..........with extremely flexible fingers......as she wants to be a nun......... .......she thinks she will be the organist for the sisters :)........the rest are MADE to play...(well, they all are)....because it is a requirement in our home.......luckily they are all cheerful about it. 
besides classical, we are also partial to Irish/Celtic/Gaelic music.......lullabies (one of my addictions ), Braodway music (my 2year can sing LOTS of songs from Musicals.....he is too funny), big band.......my dh took us to see the Tommy Dorsey band last year!, Scottish, opera (some)...........lots of stuff......just no rap or rock :)..........though when I drive.........sometimes they must ENDURE the oldies, so I can sing and stay awake.......they hate it :).............and make fun of me because I know all the words
we have just started studying Bach again......my youngers have not been part of our study before........so, we are doing him again.
well........I better go eat a late breakfast. Every slept in late today, they were exhausted from a day of skiing.
love,
__________________
Chari...Take Up & Read
Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
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TracyQ
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We have been using Beautiful Feet's A History of Classical Music this year, and LOVE it! I think we'll use it over two years, just to really draw it out, and get the most out of it, we'll see.
I just LOVE the program. It's expensive, but was well worth it, because music is very big here. My dh's an organist, and all four of us (the three children and myself) are in his church choir this year! What a blessing that has been!
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Blessings and Peace,
Tracy Q.
wife of Marty for 20 years, mom of 3 wonderful children (1 homeschool graduate, 1 12th grader, and a 9th grader),
 homeschooling in 15th year in Buffalo, NY
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ladybugs
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Chari,
Could you share some of the resources you use to study music?
We have some of the Music Masters CD's and we read the Mike Venezia books and LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN....I also purchased the learning calendar (www.learningcalendar.com) this year and as a topic of interest, is focusing this year on composers and space -two big interests here...
Last Thursday was my wedding anniversary and it was also the birthday of Felix Mendehlssohn. We listened to the MM CD and just kept mentioning, "Who's birthday is it?" Of course my kids think I'm nuts...as do many other homeschooling moms who've met me in person, right, Chari?
Anyway, we have come to learn that Juliana shares Chopin's birthdy, too.
Well, better get off the computer.
Love,
__________________
Love and God Bless,
Maria P
My etsy store - all proceeds go to help my fencing daughters!
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Chari
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Music in Motion, call for catalog, 1-800-445-0649
http://www.musicmotion.com/
From the above, I have bought the Composer videos and the teacher's guide(wish I had bought the CD, too!), and all of the composer coloring books.
We are studying Bach right now......the plan:
* Search and order all books at library, both adult and juvenile......do read alouds
* See if any Bach info is in my own library
* Order all CDs of Bach's music from library.
* Gather all Bach music in the house.
* Order any videos related to Bach at library.
* Watch Bach video for kids from Music in Motion..........some libraries have them.
* Photocopy Bach's picture from Dover or Bellerphon's coloring book for them to color for Book of Centuries.
* Listen to music every morning during routines and breakfast
* Listen to Classical Kid's Mr. Bach comes to call (from above catalog........cheaper in Rainbow Resource catalog)
* Listen to music masters, same catalogs.......if we have it.
* Sometimes search internet for any info we need (I always do this if our library does not have much.).
* Check my favorite classical website for info:
http://www.classicsforkids.com/teachers/index.asp
* sometimes a narration for B of C
* sometimes I read an more thorough adult bio for myself, and share lots of what I learn with the kids
So,those are my resources....and how I plan for each composer.
I think that is it!
yes, in case anybody is interested, Maria IS nuts
and she sings ALL of THE TIME!
did I mention that she sings A LOT?
I LOVE Classical music!
Hope this helps.
In the sweet heart of Mary,
__________________
Chari...Take Up & Read
Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
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Chari
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TracyQ wrote:
We have been using Beautiful Feet's A History of Classical Music this year, and LOVE it! I think we'll use it over two years, just to really draw it out, and get the most out of it, we'll see.
I just LOVE the program. It's expensive, but was well worth it, because music is very big here. My dh's an organist, and all four of us (the three children and myself) are in his church choir this year! What a blessing that has been!
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Tracy,
I SO was wanting this program! I controlled myself.......and finally saw it at NACHE. It was wonderful......but, as we had already studied some of the composers listed.........and I seemed to have a good, inexpensive plan already working well.......I decided I did not need one more hsing book
That said, I would recommend it to anyone who wants to study classical composers, and needs planning help or does not know where to start. I would also utilize the library, too for each composer, since I always need to add to whatever anyone else does
I have seen most of the BF curricula from Willa
and I like them. The horse and Caifornia History ones look like fun.
We are using the BF history of science for my middle-school-aged son......and it is great.
Oh, to be in a choir! Have fun!
In the sweet heart of Mary,
__________________
Chari...Take Up & Read
Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
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ladybugs
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You know, I got to thinking, a year ago, on January 27, we threw a Mozart Birthday Tea Party. We made a sachertorte cake - a cake that originated in Austria (you can find the recipe in Usborne's Cooking Around the World book)...we made Austrian flags, colored maps and labeled the Vienna and Salzburg, we played "Pin the Birth city on Austria" (a few days before the party, I drew a large map of Austria and cut out musical notes as the tool to pin on the map), we played musical chairs to Mozart's music, one of the homeschooling dads read Mike Venezia's book to the crowd....in anticipation of the party, we listened to pieces from The Magic Flute..we also had the movie, "Beethoven lives upstairs" to watch since Beethoven and Mozart met and the families could rabbit trail into Beethoven....
Anyway, point being that you could apply the above ideas to any composer....
Branching out, you could apply them to any explorer, pirate, inventor...I'd like to do a Wright Brothers' Tea Party - I found at the Science museum this weekend, a hot-air balloon, a plane, and a helicopter cookie cutter...wouldn't that be fun?
The possibilities!
God Bless,
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Love and God Bless,
Maria P
My etsy store - all proceeds go to help my fencing daughters!
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TracyQ
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I can't seem to quote (still trying to figure out how to use this particular message board).
Chari,
Your plan looks GREAT! That's exactly how I would study the composers, if I had the time to plan it out. I just hadn't thus far, and it's important to us. So that's why a preplanned program won over one that I would plan, because it just wasn't getting done. 
I would save lots of money if I did it your way! But I was happy that I could have a wonderful literature based music curriculum to just pick up and do. Isn't it so wonderful that we have lots of ways to be able to homeschool our kids?
I want an art history plan like yours. Maybe I'll take your wonderful music plan and use it to start planning more of an art history course for next year!
__________________
Blessings and Peace,
Tracy Q.
wife of Marty for 20 years, mom of 3 wonderful children (1 homeschool graduate, 1 12th grader, and a 9th grader),
homeschooling in 15th year in Buffalo, NY
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Chari
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As a matter of fact, this is also how I do artist studies, too......but artist studies allow for more resources to be used......and usually have more rabbit trails..........lots of fun!
I write just about everything I do down............in hopes that some day I can publish something useful.
And, perhaps, maybe even open a business like Kim Hancock's.........only it would focus on art and music studies........but, that will probably not happen til i retire from hsing my own kids.......so, watch for it in about 15 years
__________________
Chari...Take Up & Read
Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
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TracyQ
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 Well, won't be using it with my kids, Chari. But at least I have the benefit of having you here, with your wonderful wisdom!
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Blessings and Peace,
Tracy Q.
wife of Marty for 20 years, mom of 3 wonderful children (1 homeschool graduate, 1 12th grader, and a 9th grader),
homeschooling in 15th year in Buffalo, NY
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cathhomeschool
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Tracy,
To quote, hit the "quote" button at the top right of the particular post you are wanting to quote. It will quote the whole thin in your Reply window, and the you can just delete the sentences that you don't need. Make sense?
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Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
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TracyQ
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cathhomeschool wrote:
Tracy,
To quote, hit the "quote" button at the top right of the particular post you are wanting to quote. It will quote the whole thin in your Reply window, Make sense? |
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Sure does! Thank you! I thought that's what I'd done, but maybe not. Thanks Janette! (obviously, I'm testing it out right now. )
__________________
Blessings and Peace,
Tracy Q.
wife of Marty for 20 years, mom of 3 wonderful children (1 homeschool graduate, 1 12th grader, and a 9th grader),
homeschooling in 15th year in Buffalo, NY
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Jamberry77
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My method is a lazy person's way, but considering my musical history (easy listening from parents and Lynard Skynard type music from older siblings), it's good for me.
I get one or two cd's from the library for each month, and we listen to that composer's cd as much as we can stand it. That's it. I guess I should teach something about the composer, and I may as our boys get older, but for now, that's an easy way to do it.
We also have the Classical Kids tapes. So far we have done Bach, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, bluegrass, Mozart, Rossini, and Hawaiian slack guitar. I know all these aren't classical but I wanted to share these with the boys. I love the Hawaiian music; it sounds like classical guitar, which I also love.
Kelly
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Chari
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Kelly,
I do not think I would call it lazy
I think it is very practical! In fact........for some reason (time??) we only seem to be able to study composers OR artists each year...........and I never plan it that way..........it just happens.
anyway.......I think this is a good idea for when we are not doing the composers..........and we will still get some exposure....as if *I* could actually limit myself to just the music.........it would require a lot of self control!... 
There are a lot of fun juvenile chapter books out there for various composers......worth adding to your reading list, if you can find them. And not too much effort!
God bless!
__________________
Chari...Take Up & Read
Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
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Angie Mc
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For classical music, we try to hit the major classical periods, one per month, with a focus on one composer. We check out books (especially by Mike Venezia because they are readily available) on the composer. We keep it pretty informal. We call it "beautiful music" and are especially careful to play it on Sunday.
Over the years we seem to pick up music traditions. For example, this month we are listening to Love Music. For classical we are focusing on Brahams from the Romantic Era (who we have studied before.) We also listen to Italian love songs, Frank Sinatra, Josh Groban, The Three Tenors, and more. On Valentine's day the children were awakened by "That's Amore" playing loudly while I was preparing heart-shaped pancakes!
We're already looking forward to pulling out our Irish music for the month of March. Oooo...I'll post a new topic requesting suggestions 
Love,
__________________
Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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Kelly
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Great books on the composers are Opal Wheeler's series on many major artists, "Bach, Boy from Thuringia" being a title that jumps to mind, and "Stephen Foster and his Little Dog Tray" Sadly out-of-print, these are books that are worth the search. My mother read them to me, I've read them to my children and they've read them all on their own. Lovely books.
For Mom, a good resource appropos to this topic, "Raising Musical Children" by Cavanaugh (or was it Kavanaugh?) Also, of course, Mr. Suzuki's classic, "Nurtured by Love".
Last but not least, an easy way to teach your children to recognize the melody of famous pieces, is to take a musical phrase out of the piece, usually the opening bit, and put a silly sentence to it to help them remember the composer. For example, for "Hall of the Mountain King" by Edward Grieg, we made this chant:
"Edward Grieg, he wrote a song
Not too short, not too long,
Edward Grieg, he wrote a song,
About the monsters here!"
It really works. Just today my 7 year old heard "Hall of the Mountain King" playing in a movie and said, "Hey, there's music by Edward Grieg!"
Kelly in FL
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Mary G
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Another great resurce for the music -- are the Beethoven's Wigand Beethoven's Wig 2 that are available on CD -- Richard Perlmutter (who must teach kids?) took 10 songs for each CD and set them to silly words such as:
(to the tune of the Beethoven's 5th):
Beethoven's Wig
is very big
Beethoven's wig is is long and curly and it's white
Beethoven takes his wig off when he sleeps at night
Because it's big
It's very big....
You get the idea! Another song on the 1st cd is from Purcell's Trumpet Time -- its the Kings and Quens of England -- a great "cross-curriculum" way to remember the royalty in England!
Anyway, after the silly words, the 2nd half of the CD has the symphony without words. All my kids love these!
Another CD they've found quite pleasant and a great intro to orchestra is
Classical Cats - A Children's Introduction to the Orchestra. My mom sent this and the kids love to hear Fiddlio and Christina (cats) explain the different instruments and then play selections at the end of the CD.
HTH
Blessings,
__________________
MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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Kelly
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The Beethoven's Wig cds look great. I'm going to add them to my "library" right away! Thanks for the recommendation!
Kelly in FL
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4Real Forums : The Arts in the Everyday
Topic: How do you study music in your house?
