I'm so excited this week, because I will be running THREE giveaways! I've already shared one with you, and today's is another treat.
I am always looking for ways to introduce my kids to classical music. I have a nice collection of CDs that I play on a regular basis with classical pieces from Mozart, Grieg, and many others. A week or two ago, I clicked on a link that had caught my eye, and it led me to the most wonderful website: Maestro Classics.com.
You cannot even begin to imagine my delight to discover a company that produces educational materials centered around classical music - for young children! They offer a series of classical CDs, each one dedicated to a particular orchestral story. Inside each CD set you will find a short story (length varies depending on the particular story), a section about the story, another section about the music, and one or two bonus soundtracks. It also comes with an activity booklet.
You can also sign up for their Kids Club and receive monthly puzzles, games, and other activities in your email. January's email was focused on Swan Lake, and came with a video, music excerpt, link to their curriculum guide, and a coloring page. Yes, I said curriculum guide. Their awesome site also includes a section with education materials perfect for homeschoolers, teachers, and parents. Yay!
Intrigued, I purchased their album, Juanita the Spanish Lobster, and downloaded the MP3 version because, a) I prefer to be able to download it on my children's school computer, and b) I was too impatient to wait for the actual CD. The best description of this story is found on their website:
"Juanita is an imposing Spanish lady lobster. Not content to knit seaweed with the other lobsters in the grotto, Juanita prefers to dance a fierce flamenco and sing about her troubles. She loathes her boring underwater life and longs for more excitement. Thinking she can find more fun on the land, she leaps into a fisherman’s lobster trap one day. Her admirer, a lovesick little lobster named Caradoc (as in the Arthurian knight) saves her from certain doom. In the end, a newly contented Juanita learns to love the grotto, and she sings about her marvelous life with all of the other sea creatures."
Not only did I love it, but more importantly, my kids loved it! They have been listening to it over and over. We sat and listened to the story, then learned about who created it and how, then listened to it again, then learned about the different music styles used in the story. It was just fantastic. The MP3 download came with a pdf version of the activity booklet, which was perfect because with two children, I was able to print up the same pages so that they could each have a copy to work on. It is filled not just with activities, but also with a History of Flamenco and Amazing Facts About Lobsters.
Now for the best part: They offer a Spanish version of this particular CD! Juanita la langosta española has been completely translated into Spanish by the very talented, Yanitzia Canetti, whose translations of children's literature I have admired for its smooth sophistication and the way in which it captures the essence of the story.
The music on the Maestro Classics CDs are performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Stephen Simon. The narrator of Juanita the Spanish Lobster is Dr. Konrad Czynski (a.k.a. Yadu), professor of Humanities at Minnesota State University-Moorhead. (He has, in fact narrated several of the other CDs including Peter & the Wolf, Mike Mulligan & His Steam Shovel, and The Sorcerer's Apprentice.)
But the narrator of Juanita la langosta española is Rosi Amador, lead singer of Sol y Canto. Rosi has narrated a number of childrens books, including recent releases by Barefoot Books (which I mentioned yesterday).
THE GIVEAWAY
Maestro Classics is kindly offering a copy of their Juanita la langosta española CD to one MommyMaestra reader.
By entering this giveaway, you agree to the Official Sweepstakes Rules. No purchase required. Void where prohibited.
Not only did I love it, but more importantly, my kids loved it! They have been listening to it over and over. We sat and listened to the story, then learned about who created it and how, then listened to it again, then learned about the different music styles used in the story. It was just fantastic. The MP3 download came with a pdf version of the activity booklet, which was perfect because with two children, I was able to print up the same pages so that they could each have a copy to work on. It is filled not just with activities, but also with a History of Flamenco and Amazing Facts About Lobsters.
Now for the best part: They offer a Spanish version of this particular CD! Juanita la langosta española has been completely translated into Spanish by the very talented, Yanitzia Canetti, whose translations of children's literature I have admired for its smooth sophistication and the way in which it captures the essence of the story.
The music on the Maestro Classics CDs are performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Stephen Simon. The narrator of Juanita the Spanish Lobster is Dr. Konrad Czynski (a.k.a. Yadu), professor of Humanities at Minnesota State University-Moorhead. (He has, in fact narrated several of the other CDs including Peter & the Wolf, Mike Mulligan & His Steam Shovel, and The Sorcerer's Apprentice.)
But the narrator of Juanita la langosta española is Rosi Amador, lead singer of Sol y Canto. Rosi has narrated a number of childrens books, including recent releases by Barefoot Books (which I mentioned yesterday).
Below is a short video of Maestro Classics' co-creator, Bonnie Ward Simon, talking about Juanita la langosta española:
THE GIVEAWAY
Maestro Classics is kindly offering a copy of their Juanita la langosta española CD to one MommyMaestra reader.
To enter to win, simply leave a comment below.
The deadline to enter is 11:59 EST, Monday, January 23rd. The winners will be chosen using Random.org and contacted via email - so be sure to leave a valid email address in your comment!
And to increase your chances of winning, you can:
1) Visit Maestro Classics' website, then come back and leave a comment telling me which CD you'd like to hear most.
2) Follow Maestro Classics on Facebook
3) Follow me on Twitter and tweet the following: Win a a copy of Maestro Classics' Juanita la langosta española from @LatinMami http://bit.ly/xtAwyq #Spanish #classicalmusic #giveaway
Don't forget to let me know by posting a separate comment for each entry!
2) Follow Maestro Classics on Facebook
3) Follow me on Twitter and tweet the following: Win a a copy of Maestro Classics' Juanita la langosta española from @LatinMami http://bit.ly/xtAwyq #Spanish #classicalmusic #giveaway
Don't forget to let me know by posting a separate comment for each entry!
By entering this giveaway, you agree to the Official Sweepstakes Rules. No purchase required. Void where prohibited.
¡Buena suerte!
Thank you for such a great giveaway! lhs10@earthlink.net
ReplyDeleteAfter visiting the Maestro Classics website, I would most like to hear the Tortoise and the Hare CD with my children since that is such a classic story. lhs10@earthlink.net
ReplyDeleteI am now following Maestro Classics on Facebook! lhs10@earthlink.net
ReplyDeleteI love this! pinkflo4@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteI visited the Maestro Classics site and would love to hear the Casey at Bat CD :) pinkflo4@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteI am following the Maestro Classics on Facebook too! pinkflo4@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteI'm excited for this giveaway. My e-mail strllradvsocal@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteI just visited the Maestro Classics website and would love to enjoy Swan Lake CD. strllradvsocal@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteI follow you on twitter and have tweeted about the contest. @strllradvsocal
ReplyDeleteMil gracias para el "giveaway!" orchardamanda@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteI love your giveaways
ReplyDeleteI looked into Maestro Classics website and would love to get my favorite Swan Lake. email justcindyc@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteI'm a friend of Maestro Classics on facebook.
ReplyDeleteemai justcindyc@hotmail.com
Thank you for this post! I am already in love with "Maestro Classics"! beckyb922@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI would like to hear "The Sorcerer's Apprentice". beckyb922@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI visited the maestro classics webpage and would love to hear the story of the tortise and the hare...my kids already know a version of this story - so that would be fun! Lindzey_rose@msn.com
ReplyDeleteI now follow Maestro Classics on Facebook :)
ReplyDeleteLindzey_rose@msn.com
I follow you on Twitter and tweeted about the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteLindzey_rose@msn.com
wowwwwww... this is a great giveaway..! thanks for sharing..
ReplyDeleteI would love this!!!
ReplyDeleteCarla
cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com
Great giveaway! Do you ever have your kids watch classical videos on youtube?? some of the performances are amazing. Good for you for introducing them to wonderful art so early on.
ReplyDeleteYou have the best giveaways! Maybe someday I'll win one!
ReplyDeletejodimonrrroy@yahoo.com
I just visited the Maestro Classics web site and my girls would love to listen to Swan Lake!
ReplyDeleteI "like"Maestro Classics on Facebook
ReplyDeletejodimonrrroy@yahoo.com
Follow you on Twitter and tweeted!
ReplyDeletejodimonrrroy@yahoo.com
WOWZERS!! I just found your blog and I am super EXCITED!!!
ReplyDeleteI just started a dual language blog.
http://glitzyinfirstgrade.blogspot.com/
Thank you. What a wonderful giveaway!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great giveaway! I'd love to win this. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLori L.
monlor AT aol DOT com
They have a great selection but I think I'd love to listen to "The Soldier's Tale" most. Great site!
ReplyDeletemonlor AT aol DOT com
I'm Maestro's FB fan :)linadanna at aol dot com
ReplyDeleteI would love this for my daughter! linadanna at aol dot com
ReplyDeleteI am a liker of Maestro Classics
ReplyDeleteI visited Maestro Classics and would love Casey at Bat CD
ReplyDeleteVisited Maestros and would like to hear Swan Lake or Peter and the Wolf...hard choice
ReplyDeleteAlready Follow Maestro Classics on Facebook
ReplyDeletetweeted on twitter
ReplyDeleteI've been to the website, Swan Lake would be my choice.
ReplyDeleteI follow MC on Facebook
ReplyDeleteI tweeted about the giveaway.
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/#!/carlrscott/status/161472888522813441
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win! :)
ReplyDeletewww.walkingbytheway.com
I "like" MC on Facebook. :)
ReplyDeletewww.walkingbytheway.com
I own a few. I think the one I want the most is The Tortoise and the Hare. :)
ReplyDeletewww.walkingbytheway.com :)
We love Mike Mulligan because the book is available to follow along.
ReplyDeleteFollow them on FB
ReplyDeleteI visited the maestro classics webpage and we would love to the story of the tortise and the hare. It was a tough choice, I would love them all!
ReplyDeletehpixley at comcast.net
I Like them on Facebook.
ReplyDeletehpixley at comcast.net
I followed you on twitter and tweeted. Hope to win! My son's Spanish class at co-op would love this!
ReplyDeletehpixley at comcast.net
I'd love to win this!
ReplyDeleteXa Lynn
xalynn13 at yahoo.com
The Tortoise and the Hare would be most helpful to me right now, as we are about to start 6 weeks of Aesop's Fables, and this would fit right in...
ReplyDeleteXa Lynn
xalynn13 at yahoo.com
TORTISE & HARE.
ReplyDeletejimpat34@broadstripe.net
I already follow Maestro Classics. :)
ReplyDeleteI visited the website....Juana La Langosta or Tortoise and the Hare.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post! My son loves Classical and I would love to teach him more in Espanol! glendagg@mac.com
ReplyDeleteMy niece would love this as they're trying to teach her Spanish.
ReplyDeleteThe Tortoise and the Hare sounds like a good one.
ReplyDeleteI am in Mexico right now and would love to do a puppet show with children in an orphanage using one of these stories in particular - Juanita la Langosta Espanola. Peter and the Wolf, or Carnival of the Animals or The Tortoise and the Hare would be great too!
ReplyDeletechronny80@gmail.com