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Maggie
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| Posted: Aug 10 2009 at 10:17am | IP Logged
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Has anyone used this curricula for their littles?
It is VERY expensive.
Any reviews?
God Bless,
Maggie
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Wife to dh (12 years) Mama to dd (10) ds (8), dd (1), ds (nb) and to Philip Mary (5/26/09), Lucy Joy (12/6/09), and Margaret Mary (3/6/10) who entered Heaven before we had a chance to hold them.
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JennGM
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| Posted: Aug 10 2009 at 10:32am | IP Logged
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Maggie,
I just saw it at FCL and got their sample cd. I think it is very wonderful, with only one criticism. I haven't purchased it yet, because while I'm thrilled it includes Gregorian chant, it's done incorrectly (or not the way I want it sung and taught). That's my pet area, so it bothers me, and I don't want to have to reteach, especially since the music on the cd will be so inviting and easily learned.
If it wasn't for that I'd jump in right away. This would be perfect for the first morning activities and really giving a solid grounding in music/matching pitch/rhythm, working in the Liturgical Year, and having it all planned and ready to go.
Even if you didn't use the whole program, the music recordings are VERY well done and professional. I'm picky about children's music cds. There is one child that sings a little breathy which I don't like, but the recordings are not tinny, repetitive, or electronic sounding, and the voices (except that one) are singing voices, not yelling, and clear and musical --all positive in my vote.
Minnesota Mom reviewed it.
The cost is a lot for right off the bat, but for a year with 5 cds and workbooks, $96 is quite reasonable. 5 cds at $15 would be $75 alone.
Order the sampler, and maybe decide where would music fit best in your year -- Ordinary Time? Advent? and give it whirl.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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cvbmom
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Maggie,
I bought this for my younger kids. I was feeling like I needed something specifically for them because I spend so much time and effort on the older ones.
The program is EXCELLENT! Of course I tweak everything  , but it is so great to have liturgical and seasonal music to play and learn. We've listened to the CDs to get an idea of what the songs are like. The singing is great and easy to understand. Each song is specifically chosen for developing musical skills. I was surprised, but my 14mo. old even tried to coo along to one song. I'm happy with it! The price IS a bit high, but it is 5 CDs and the manual is VERY thorough. You could try the free sample CD to see if you like the music.
Please let me know if you have any specific questions I can help with 
God bless,
Christine
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ekbell
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I've also purchased it for my younger children.
It is expensive, particularly after I bought the suggested instruments (you can do the program with shaky eggs and homemade instruments and scarves) but with a one year old, I'll be using it for quite some time!
I found the teacher's manual was quite helpful. The manual gives suggestions for incorporating more music everyday as well as giving formal lesson plans. I really like the suggestions on what to do with babies. It also gives suggestions for making your own lesson plans so that you can incorporate other music after once you are used to the setup.
The way the program is set up (you learn most of the music and sing it to the children with the CDs used for dancing, free instrument play and back-up where you are uncertain) it would be quite simple to substitute your own music or singing style wherever desired.
The children love the music, they've played the CD's quite a bit. They also love the Boomwackers I bought to go with the program!
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sunny
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| Posted: Aug 11 2009 at 11:32pm | IP Logged
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JennGM wrote:
| while I'm thrilled it includes Gregorian chant, it's done incorrectly (or not the way I want it sung and taught). |
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JennGM wrote:
| I'm picky about children's music cds. |
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I also am very picky about children's music. I am very interested to understand you point of view. Would you mind explaining?
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JennGM
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| Posted: Aug 12 2009 at 9:21am | IP Logged
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sunny wrote:
JennGM wrote:
| while I'm thrilled it includes Gregorian chant, it's done incorrectly (or not the way I want it sung and taught). |
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JennGM wrote:
| I'm picky about children's music cds. |
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I also am very picky about children's music. I am very interested to understand you point of view. Would you mind explaining? |
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Well, this falls into two categories for me.
First, the children's music. Generally I don't have modern "children's" cds with children singing on them. Wee Sing is an exception (ETA, but I don't like all of the recordsing). Many of them aren't using sweet melodic "singing" voices. An example of good children's singing would be from the movie "Going My Way" with Bing Crosby Breathy singing, talking or yelling voice to sing ("sing loudly, children" is not a good command for children's choirs).
I also like good accompaniment. I'm not crazy about all digital recordings without real instruments to accompany.
But I play music all the time. We play a variety of classical, folk music, showtunes, chant, hymns. I have a good collection of old records I like to play, including children's records. Just because it's old doesn't mean it's good; I am consistent with my criteria. 
I just apply the same standards as I do about books. Give good examples of good, true, and beautiful music, no twaddle and dumbing down.
Second, about the chant. The examples on the sample cd included the English chant "Our Father" that is often sung at the Novus Ordo Mass. I don't know if it was because of copyright or what, but the one on the cd is close, but not the same to what is sung at Mass, and I don't like that confusion.
The other sample again was slightly different in the tune, but also the rhythm and the extra pauses. Chant is rhythmical, but not broken down in time signatures. While there are pauses naturally within the chant, the overall presentation should be flowing, not choppy and metrical. I was trained in the Ward Method, and if you want more information on chant, you can find so much free downloads (and purchase, if you prefer), including a whole course to use in schools at musicasacra.com. I've been loaning some of my old copies of books to be scanned and shared.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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sunny
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| Posted: Aug 12 2009 at 9:57am | IP Logged
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Jennifer, thx so much for your reply. I also do not buy most children's music. In fact, I do have a couple CDs from a particular curricula and my children ask me to turn them off! So even though my dc and I agree with you in general it was interesting to learn in detail your critique. Thx!!
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JennGM
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| Posted: Aug 12 2009 at 11:53am | IP Logged
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LOL, I realized I didn't even mention the obvious about avoiding the recordings that don't stay on pitch, and have poor pronunciation. Those are like fingernails on a chalkboard. 
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Family in Feast and Feria
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cvbmom
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| Posted: Aug 12 2009 at 12:01pm | IP Logged
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JennGM wrote:
| LOL, I realized I didn't even mention the obvious about avoiding the recordings that don't stay on pitch, and have poor pronunciation. Those are like fingernails on a chalkboard. |
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You aren't kidding  I CAN'T STAND those!
Thanks, too, for the wonderful links you posted re: chant. I am having a great time poking around that site  I have SO MUCH to learn!
God bless,
Christine
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sunny
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| Posted: Aug 25 2009 at 11:00am | IP Logged
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I just received my sample CD. I agree that overall the selections are very well done and very inviting! However, I also agree wholeheartedly with Jennifer's criticisms. Additionally, selection #8 is a LARGE problem for me. I dont want my dc singing, "It's me, oh Lord" while I am trying to impart proper grammar. (It is I, oh Lord.)
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SeaStar
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sunny wrote:
| I just received my sample CD. I agree that overall the selections are very well done and very inviting! However, I also agree wholeheartedly with Jennifer's criticisms. Additionally, selection #8 is a LARGE problem for me. I dont want my dc singing, "It's me, oh Lord" while I am trying to impart proper grammar. (It is I, oh Lord.) |
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I know it's not correct, but you have to love those old spirituals.
Can you tell that one is one of my favorites?
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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JennGM
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Melinda, I really like spirituals, also.
Sunny, I think you can get around the spirituals more easily, explaining that these songs were sung by people who were singing from their heart, had a different culture, and many didn't know the proper grammar. The style is so markedly different that I think they will be able to recognize that the style of singing is different from the way of talking.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Family in Feast and Feria
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SeaStar
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JennGM wrote:
Melinda, I really like spirituals, also.
Sunny, I think you can get around the spirituals more easily, explaining that these songs were sung by people who were singing from their heart, had a different culture, and many didn't know the proper grammar. The style is so markedly different that I think they will be able to recognize that the style of singing is different from the way of talking. |
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That is a great way to explain it. I love the next line: "standin' in the need of prayer."
That is right from the heart. Who isn't standing in the need? At my house we line up!
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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sunny
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| Posted: Aug 26 2009 at 6:39pm | IP Logged
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Although, it is a well known and well liked spiritual, IMHO, when you choose a song or two to represent an entire genre, you must choose carefully. Yes I can explain the language of spirituals very easily when we listen to a compilation. When it is just this one song which has really only one very obvious grammatical problem (until you listen more closely) and that particular grammatical problem happens to be one of the most difficult for children (and many adults) to grasp, I would choose another. There are so many great ones to choose.
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MarilynW
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I really like what I have reviewed of this program. We listen to a lot of music in our house and play several instruments. I have this on my list to purchase - with several children of varying ages from high school to newborn I believe that it will give me some fun time with the little ones and will be a great addition to our morning family block time. The family that sells it are very helpful too - email with any questions you may have - I have been very happy with all the suggestions they have made.
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Marilyn
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4Real Forums : The Arts in the Everyday
Topic: Making music, praying twice--reviews?
