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Back to School Giveaway – Maestro Classics $170 10-CD Collection for Kids!

Written on August 20, 2013 by Deb Chitwood in Giveaways, Resource Reviews

I have a FABULOUS back-to-school giveaway sponsored by Maestro Classics! Someone from the U.S. has a chance to win the Maestro Classics 10-CD Collection for a child, homeschool, preschool, or elementary school!!! (Total value approximately $170!) And there’s a worldwide option, too! If the winner is from outside the U.S., the winner will receive 10 downloads of MP3s and PDF booklets!
Disclosure: I was given the 10 Maestro Classics CDs to facilitate my Maestro Classics review and giveaway posts. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are honest and my own. This post contains a Montessori Services affiliate link at no cost to you.

I love having Maestro Classics as one of my blog sponsors. Maestro Classics has top-quality CDs for reasonable prices. Maestro Classics music CDS for kids have won over 45 national awards – and those awards are from the top children’s product reviewers in the country!
Maestro Classics fits in perfectly with Montessori education (or any type of education)! You’ll find Maestro Classics products listed in the Montessori Services catalog. Maestro Classics has amazing CDs that encourage music appreciation through a mixture of classical music and story. The music is even performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra!
The music is sophisticated enough for advanced musicians to appreciate, and the narration and booklets are clear and simple enough that parents without any musical background can feel comfortable sharing the experience with their children. Most of the CDs are intended for ages 5+ and families, although many children from about age 4 on would love them.

About Maestro Classics 10-CD or MP3/PDF Collection

The 10-CD or MP3/PDF Collection contains

Each CD is $16.98 when purchased individually. Each MP3/PDF download is $9.98.

Here are the descriptions of the 10 titles (in italics) from Maestro Classics with some of my impressions of Carnival of the Animals, Peter and the Wolf, The Story of Swan Lake, The Tortoise and The Hare, Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, and My Name is Handel: The Story of Water Music.

The Maestro Classics CDs are wonderful, and I love the MP3s and PDF booklets, too. I have the set of CDs and a number of the MP3/PDF booklet downloads. I often found it helpful to be able to print out the booklets to help in making hands-on activities (as you can see in some of my activity posts).
Carnival of the Animals
Lions roar, elephants dance, roosters whistle, and fossils clatter. A brilliant new child-friendly recording. The fully illustrated program book includes the complete Ogden Nash verses.
I love introducing poetry to children, and Carnival of the Animals is an especially great way to introduce poetry along with classical music. Ogden Nash poems are used throughout first track in the work for narrator and orchestra. As usual, the London Philharmonic Orchestra makes listening a pleasure even for accomplished musicians.
Young children would enjoy moving like the animals along with the music as well as watching (or, especially, performing) a Carnival of the Animals puppet show using animal puppets. When my children were middle-school age and older, we often listened to CDs as we drove to their sports- or dance activities. Maestro Classics’ Carnival of the Animals is interesting enough to be a perfect travel CD for homeschoolers.

I also found the “About the Composer: Camille Saint-Saëns” track by Bonnie Simon and “About the Music” track by conductor Stephen Simon very interesting. The “About the Music” track is rich with information about the music … telling how it correlates with the animals and explaining how humor is shown throughout.
You’ll find Montessori-Inspired Carnival of the Animals activities here: Montessori-Inspired Music Appreciation: Carnival of the Animals.
Peter and the Wolf
A young boy named Peter disobeys his grandfather and climbs over the garden wall. When he encounters a wolf, with quick thinking and the help of his friends – a bird, a duck and a cat – Peter captures the wolf and it is taken to the zoo.
I’ve always absolutely loved Peter and the Wolf as a way to introduce young children to classical music. There are so many fun activities you can do to enrich this story, although the CD alone is amazing. Because it’s played by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the music is wonderful for anyone. The CD is recommended for ages 4+ and families.

The illustrated booklet has some great activities and information about Russian folk music. I really enjoyed the Russian folk version of the title song and the dance along at the end. I could imagine how much my daughter especially would have loved the dancing when she was little. My feet were dancing just listening to it!

You’ll find Montessori-inspired Peter and the Wolf activities here: Montessori-Inspired Music Appreciation: Peter and the Wolf.
The Story of Swan Lake
Swan Lake, Tchaikovsky’s greatest ballet score, is the tale of a prince who falls in love with a beautiful princess. The princess, however, has been turned into a swan by an evil magician, and only the prince’s love can break the spell. This narrated version of the classic tale for children is sure to delight all who love ballet and enchanting storytelling.
Swan Lake is a great way to expose children to classical music and story in the form of ballet. The London Philharmonic Orchestra and narration provide a beautiful introduction to the story. I also loved the creativity in a speed metal version of Swan Lake by Joe Stump on electric guitar.

The illustrated booklet is filled with background information and activities. I know my children would have enjoyed each of the Maestro Classics booklets. The Swan Lake booklet even has a simple explanation of major and minor music. I especially enjoyed the original lyrics to “Tchaikovsky Wrote a Great Ballet,” a fun song for kids and parents to sing along with after listening to the story.
You’ll find Montessori-inspired Swan Lake activities here: Montessori-Inspired Music Appreciation: Swan Lake.

The Tortoise and the Hare
Hare, certain that talent and new running shoes will win the race, stops for a little French onion soup at the bistro along the route. All the small animals in the forest cheer poor, slow Tortoise along, while Hare, who is far ahead, decides to take a nap. The charming musical score, complete with “The Pretzel Vendor of Paris” song, won a Parents’ Choice GOLD award.

The Tortoise and the Hare is LOTS of fun! I really enjoyed the narrated story and music. It’s a great way to introduce young children to classical music. And the Dixieland “Pretzel Vendor of Paris” song is especially fun.
You’ll find Montessori-inspired Tortoise and Hare activities here: Montessori-Inspired Activities for The Tortoise and the Hare.

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel
Virginia Lee Burton’s classic American storybook, a childhood favorite for generations, is brought to life with this beautiful new music for orchestra and Irish bagpipes.
In the story, Mike Mulligan refuses to give up his aging steam shovel Mary Anne as they travel to find one last job together. A tale of loyalty and friendship, perseverance and good ideas, this musical CD won a Parents’ Choice GOLD award.
This CD is delightful! I always liked the story of Mike Mulligan and Mary Anne. I can’t think of many things more fun than sitting cuddled up on the sofa with kids, looking at the book Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel while listening to this CD. I really enjoyed the addition of the Irish bagpipes, which fit perfectly with the story.
“About the Author” by Bonnie Ward Simon is fascinating. I especially enjoyed the “About the Music” track by composer Stephen Simon. Although Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel is a book for young children, even adults will have fun learning why Stephen Simon made his choices of instruments.
My Name is Handel: The Story of Water Music
When Handel, the brilliant young German composer living in London, needed to get back into the king’s good graces, he had a brilliant idea.
He composed a suite of dances, hired a boat and 50 musicians, and headed down the River Thames to surprise King George I. The music became known as “Water Music,” one of Handel’s best-loved compositions.
Even as an adult, I enjoy learning more about composers, and My Name is Handel is a fascinating introduction to Handel’s life and music. The booklet gives an interesting version of both music and London in Handel’s time. My favorite, though, is “My Name is Handel” with its original lyrics and fun sing-a-long with the orchestra and chorus to the “Hornpipe” from Handel’s Water Music.
Casey at the Bat
When the Mudville Nine are almost certain to lose the game, Mighty Casey takes his turn at bat, and the fans hold their breath as each pitch is thrown.
The upbeat, jazzy music performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra is highlighted by cheering crowds, vendors hawking their wares, the cheers of spectators and the sounds of the ball being hit, which bring the story to life.
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
The lazy apprentice, confident that he can use his master’s spell to do his chores, chants the magic spell and takes a nap. As the water swirls around the workshop getting ever higher, the apprentice awakens, only to discover that he does not know the spell to stop the brooms! A thrilling narration accompanies Paul Dukas’ dramatic musical score.
Juanita The Spanish Lobster
This new musical work from England combines flamenco guitar music with bel canto opera, poking fun at both, while telling a delightful story. The music of this tale invites you to not only have fun listening but also to learn and sing along.You’ll get a kick out of the high level of quality music performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the dynamic storytelling and the multifaceted tongue-in-cheek humor. Fun for all!
The Soldier’s Tale
Stravinsky’s greatest work for narrator and orchestra. It is the story of a soldier, on leave from the army, who trades his old violin for a magic book that can tell the future and make him rich. He soon discovers, however, that he has made a deal with the devil and that money does not bring happiness.

More about the Maestro Classics CDs:

The CDs and MP3s typically follow the same format:

A work for narrator and orchestra with the music and story equally important.
Information about the life and times of the work and composer.
Introduction of a new musical genre in which the theme from the title track is transformed into jazz, folk, Dixieland, or another style.
The conductor talking about what to listen for in the music with musical examples.
The opportunity to listen again with or without narration (and to realize just how much you’ve learned).
A play-along, sing-along, or dance-along track. These are very creative and fun.

More about the Maestro Classics Site

Products: In addition to individual CDS for $16.98 each and MP3 downloads for $9.98 each, check out the 4-CD Classic Pack for $65, and the 11-CD Collection for $186.78! You can find more about each CD by clicking on the products link and going to each individual product. And be sure to click on the CDs at the top of the Maestro Classics homepage for videos and to see inside each CD booklet!
At the Maestro Classics site, you’ll find free educational materials: “Lesson plans, homeschool cross-curriculum plans and fun home projects are being developed to accompany the Maestro Classics CD series.”
There’s a Music & Life page with ideas for including music in your family life, whether or not you have music experience.
There’s a free Kids Club with more fun with music, puzzles and games, and activity book answers.
You can also follow Maestro Classics on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. (There’ll be optional entries for those on the Rafflecopter form.)

“Non-Stress Musical Learning”with Bonnie Ward Simon from Maestro Classics

“Non-Stress Musical Learning” article

Now for the Giveaway

What You Will Win: 1 very lucky winner from the U.S. will win the 10-CD Collection worth $170!!! There’s a worldwide option! If the winner is from outside the U.S., the winner will receive 10 downloads of MP3s and PDF booklets!

Who is Eligible:

This giveaway is open to anyone 18 and older worldwide. The first entry is mandatory. You must leave a blog post comment telling why you want to win the Maestro Classics Collection (and be sure to click the green “ENTER” on the Rafflecopter form to let me know you left your blog post comment and to open up the optional entries)! After you’ve completed your mandatory entry, there are lots of optional entries. You have many chances to win! (Note: For the extra entries, you may count ways of following that you already do. For example, if you previously “liked” Living Montessori Now on Facebook, you may still count that for your “like” Living Montessori Now on Facebook entry!)
It’s easy to enter giveaways with Rafflecopter! Just follow the directions to enter.If you still have questions about the Rafflecopter form, here’s a 52-second video with quick directions for entering through Rafflecopter. (Note: If this form doesn’t work for you, you can also sign up on the Rafflecopter form at the Living Montessori Now Facebook page. Just be sure to leave your blog comment here!)

You must complete the Mandatory Entry to qualify for any additional entries. The giveaway closes 10:00pm MST on Tuesday, August 27. Best of luck!

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