The giveaway is now closed. You’ll find the announcement of the winner at the bottom of this post right below the Rafflecopter form! Maestro Classics has a special offer for my readers … use discount code MONTESSORI20 to receive 20% off your full order at Maestro Classics from now to next Friday, September 7! (1 coupon per customer).
Read my review for information about the wonderful Maestro Classics CDs and MP3s! You can find more ideas for activities to use with Maestro Classics CDs at Montessori-Inspired Music Appreciation: Peter and the Wolf and Montessori-Inspired Music Appreciation: Swan Lake.
I have an ABSOLUTELY AWESOME back-to-school giveaway with a chance for someone from the U.S. or Canada to win a Maestro Classics 9-CD classical music collection for a child, homeschool, preschool, or elementary school! (Note: if the winner is from outside the U.S. or Canada, the winner will receive 9 downloads of MP3s and PDF booklets.)
I’m proud to have Maestro Classics as one of my blog sponsors. 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!
Music (clarinet) was my main extracurricular activity in high school, and I had even considered becoming a professional musician – except that I loved education too much. It’s important to me to see young children develop a love of music. And I LOVE Maestro Classics CDs. So I’m thrilled to give someone a chance to win the full 9-CD Collection in this giveaway sponsored by Maestro Classics!
Maestro Classics fits in perfectly with Montessori education (or any type of education, for that matter!) 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 the 9-CD Collection:
The 9-CD Collection contains- Peter and the Wolf
- The Story of Swan Lake
- My Name is Handel: The Story of Handel’s Water Music
- The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
- The Solider’s Tale
- The Tortoise and the Hare
- Juanita the Spanish Lobster
- Casey at the Bat
- Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel
The CDs are $150 when purchased in the 9-CD Collection, but each CD is $16.98 when purchased individually.
Here are the descriptions of the 9 CDs (in italics) from Maestro Classics with some of my impressions of Peter and the Wolf, The Story of Swan Lake, and My Name is Handel.
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! 
UPDATE: 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.
UPDATE: You’ll find Montessori-inspired Swan Lake activities here: Montessori-Inspired Music Appreciation: Swan Lake.
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.
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.
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.
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:
Each CD has a similar format with the following:
- 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 9-CD Collection for $150! 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
Disclosure: I received a Maestro Classics CD Collection in order to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and any opinions expressed are my own.
Now for the Giveaway:
What You Will Win: 1 very lucky winner from the U.S. or Canada will win the 9-CD Collection with a value over $150 (CDs are $16.98 when purchased individually)!!! Update on 8/24: The giveaway has been opened up worldwide … if the winner is from outside the U.S. or Canada, the winner will receive 9 downloads of MP3s and PDF booklets!
Who is Eligible:
This giveaway is open to anyone 18 and older worldwide. Maestro Classics will pay for shipping if the winner is from the U.S. or Canada. (A winner outside the U.S. will receive downloads because of shipping costs and risk of losing an international parcel during shipment.) The first entry is mandatory. You must leave a blog post comment telling why you want to win the Maestro Classics 9-CD 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.
You must complete the Mandatory Entry to qualify for any additional entries. The giveaway closes 10:01pm MST on Thursday, August 30. Best of luck!
UPDATE:
It’s Friday morning, August 31. I really appreciated all your comments and the 2,225 entries! A winner has been selected using Random.org through Rafflecopter!
The winner of the $150 9-CD Collection from Maestro Classics is Hanna M. E.!
I’m so happy for Hanna, who had multiple entries! (Note: Hanna, you have 48 hours to respond to my email, or a new winner will be chosen.)
The comment for Hanna’s mandatory entry (why she wanted to win the 9-CD Collection) said:
“My kid loves music we are always listening to something!!! she would think this was awesome, I would too”
CONGRATULATIONS, Hanna!!! THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH to Maestro Classics for sponsoring this amazing giveaway – and thank you to everyone who entered!
And, always, thanks so much to all my blog sponsors!
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I'm Deb Chitwood. My header photo models are my children, Christina, at 1 1/2, my son, Will, at 3, and Christina again at 16. Christina is now 22, and Will is 27. Please see the 
I am a brand new assistant in a toddler classroom at Atlanta Montessori International School and would love this music collection. It would make a wonderful donation to our classroom.
I want to win because I love classical music and want my children to love it too!
My kid loves music we are always listening to something!!! she would think this was awesome, I would too
We so need some music appreciation in our homeschooling journey! Thanks for the opportunity!
I would love to win this. what a great way to introduce classical composers to my children
I like the variety of music that is covered, and the fact that most are story line oriented can add to the comprehension and appreciation
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