Update: The giveaway is now closed. Check out the award-winning CDs at Maestro Classics – and watch for the amazing giveaway at Maestro Classics (with more than one prize) to start soon! For the announcement of the winner of the Classic Pack, see the update right below the Rafflecopter form!
I have one more pre-Christmas giveaway with a chance for someone from the U.S. or Canada to win a fabulous gift for a child, homeschool, preschool, or elementary school! I love seeing young children develop a love of music, and I’m very excited about my newest sponsor – the award-winning Maestro Classics! Maestro Classics music CDS for kids have won 50 national awards – and those awards are from the top children’s product reviewers in the country!
You might have seen 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 performed by none other than the London Philharmonic Orchestra!
I had considered becoming a professional musician during high school – before education won out. And I’m extremely impressed just from listening to the samples available on the Maestro Classics site. I know I would end up ordering all the CDs if my children were young. So I’m very excited to give someone a chance to win a 4-CD Classic Pack in this giveaway sponsored by Maestro Classics!
About the 4-CD Classic Pack:
The 4-CD Classic Pack contains
• Peter and the Wolf
• The Story of Swan Lake
• The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
• My Name is Handel: The Story of Handel’s Water Music
The CDs are $48 when purchased in the Classic Pack, but they would be approximately $68 when purchased individually.
Here are a few reviews from the Maestro Classics website:
Peter and the Wolf review
Parents’ Choice
Fall 2007“Peter and the Wolf is creatively presented with both words (by narrator Yadu) and music (by the London Philharmonic Orchestra) in an unusual melodic fashion. This unique story arrangement involves instruments that enhance and support the story characters: The bird is represented by the flute; the duck by an oboe; the cat by a clarinet; Peter’s grandfather by a bassoon; the wolf by French horns; the hunters by woodwinds (with kettle drums for their guns); and Peter himself by all strings. As children listen to this musical story, they can process the complex patterns of classical/symphonic music in accordance with their own abilities and interests.
The story itself is followed by several tracks containing information about the composer (Sergei Prokofiev), the story character, the music, and other pertinent information. Accompanying the CD is a 24-page booklet containing follow-up activities and exercises for children to enjoy as they expand their musical knowledge and story skills. Offering tremendous possibilities for parents (and librarians, etc.) to expand children’s musical knowledge and to encourage their imaginations Magic Maestro’s approach is, in short, fascinating.”
The Story of Swan Lake review
AudioFile
November 2008“The Story of Swan Lake is elegantly told with music by the London Philharmonic, conducted by Stephen Simon, who is also the author of the accompanying narrative. Yadu’s (Konrad Czynski) simple, dramatic telling of the romance between the prince and the swan/princess is neatly interlaced amid Tchaikovsky’s Romantic music. Simon shares his views on how music helps tell the story and how slight musical changes vary the mood, lend drama, and move things along. Further, a performance of Swan Lake as a heavy metal piece by Joe Stump demonstrates the timelessness of the music. Bonnie Ward Simon offers a biography of Tchaikovsky, adding further depth and classroom value to this delightful contribution to the Magic Maestro Music series. Also available in this series: Peter and the Wolf, Casey at the Bat, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, among others.”
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice review
Parents’ Choice
Fall 2006“The classic story of the Sorcerer’s Apprentice is basis for this magical musical lesson. Using the now signature format, Bonnie and Stephen Simon bring lessons of classical music to life. Stephen Simon conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra in a performance of Paul Dukas’ music as Yadu narrates the story of the apprentice, a lazy young boy who tries to shortcut his studies and conjure up a magic spell to do his chores. In tracks 1-5, the Simons instruct listeners about the music and the story. A masterstroke of fun is found in tracks 6 and 7 as youngsters are invited to participate as kitchen percussionists. With music lessons like this, don’t be surprised when a young Harry Potter fan asks to trade in a wizard’s wand for a maestro’s baton.”
My Name is Handel: The Story of Water Music
School Library Journal Review
November 2011Stephen and Bonnie Ward Simon present another in their series of “Stories in Music,” this one devoted to George Frideric Handel. Their goal is to help children expand their listening horizons, develop their listening skills, accumulate musical memories, and encourage adults and children to listen to music together.
Narrated by Yadu (Dr. Konrad Czynski) in warm, smooth tones, the album includes biographical information on Handel interspersed with several of his compositions from Water Music and “The Hallelujah Chorus” from The Messiah. The superb London Philharmonic Orchestra provides excellent instrumental accompaniment. Julianne Baird sings the solo part for one of the Handel arias. Baritone James Shaffran sings “My Name Is Handel” to the tune of Handel’s “Hornpipe.” Stephen Simon provides definitions of several musical terms such as concerto, opera, and oratorio. Finally, listeners are encouraged to sing along to “My Name Is Handel.” The accompanying booklet includes additional biographical material; information about the orchestra, instruments, and in Handel’s day; and the treble clef score and lyrics for “My Name Is Handel.” Another fantastic, unique introduction to classical music for children from Maestro Classics.” –Beverly Wrigglesworth, San Antonio Public Library, TX
More about Maestro Classics:
Stories in Music™ is the new classical music CD series for children and families. Produced by Maestro Classics™ (formerly Magic Maestro Music®), this series of works for narrator and symphony orchestra features new, sophisticated performances with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and child-friendly, fun-filled stories and musical explanations. Educational for adults and children alike, this series grew out of family concerts created by conductor Stephen Simon and his wife, music educator/executive producer Bonnie Ward Simon, and premiered at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Rave reviews nationwide and numerous top awards have greeted this unique series of classical music CDs for kids with its signature format.
Products: In addition to individual CDS for $16.95 each and MP3 downloads for $9.98 each, check out the 4-CD Classic Pack for $48 (saving $20), and the 8-CD Collection for $95 (saving over $40)!
Any 3 CDs for $40!
Holiday Special Through December 20th.
FREE (USPS) Shipping on ALL orders
Use promo code: HOLIDAY
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.
Now for the Giveaway:
What You Will Win: 1 lucky winner from the U.S. or Canada will win the $48 4-CD Classic Pack (approximately $68 when purchased individually)!
Who is Eligible:
This giveaway is open to anyone 18 and older in the U.S. and Canada. Maestro Classics will pay for shipping. The first entry is mandatory. 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. You must complete the Mandatory Entry to qualify for any additional entries. The giveaway closes 10:01pm MST on Tuesday, December 20. Best of luck! 🙂
Here’s a 45-second video with quick directions for entering through Rafflecopter:
How to Enter Rafflecopter Giveaways from Rafflecopter on Vimeo.
UPDATE:
It’s Wednesday morning, December 21. I read all your comments and really appreciated the 681 entries! A winner has been selected using Random.org through Rafflecopter!
The winner of the $48 4-CD Classic Pack from Maestro Classics is Hope J!
I’m so happy for Hope, who had multiple entries! (Note: Hope, you have 48 hours to respond to my email, or a new winner will be chosen.)
The comment for Hope’s mandatory entry (why she wanted to win the Classic Pack) said:
I would like to win because I have 3 children that love music and I’ve heard wonderful things about your CD’s.
CONGRATULATIONS, Hope!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH to Maestro Classics for sponsoring the giveaway – and thank you to everyone who entered!
NOTE: To celebrate reaching 1,000 Facebook followers, Maestro Classics is having a huge giveaway (with more than one prize) to start soon!
And, always, thanks so much to all my blog sponsors!
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Gwen says
Growing up with an older brother named Peter, the “Petere & the Wolf” piece were always a favorite around our house. What a lovely opportunity to expose my own children to some great music. Thank you for offering this giveway!
Moriah says
I would love to include this CD set include our daily practices! We especially enjoy listening to stories and such right after lunch time, when we are unloading and loading dishwasher! Thanks for the chance to win!
Pamela Cain says
What a great giveaway! I know my son would love this set and learn so much from it!
Jo Ricker says
I would like to win this so I can give it to my kids.
Debbie Kennedy says
I love having kids learn thru music. It’s an association they can take with them for a lifetime.