The award-winning Classical Kids series introduces children–and adults–to the joys of classical music. A dramatic story, a little bit of history and the world’s best-loved classical music set the scene for these fun-filled musical adventures.
Now Available as Audiobooks!
Find the Classical Kids Audiobooks available on all Audiobook Streaming Platforms
The Children’s Group is excited to release the studio recording of the Classical Kids production, Gershwin’s Magic Key, featuring the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras and including the two actors featured in the original live concert, which premiered with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Gershwin’s Magic Key is available on CD & MP3 now.
“Susan Hammond has probably done more to promote classical music than anyone since Bernstein.” (NPR)
Classical Kids originator and producer Susan Hammond is acclaimed for her award-winning and best-selling Classical Kids CDs introducing children to classical music. A dramatic story, a little bit of history and the world’s best-loved classical music set the scene for fun-filled musical adventures the whole family will enjoy. It’s a symphony of stories for all ages, presenting the great composers – Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi and Handel — as heroes for today’s children.
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The stories connect with kids; the music touches their hearts and becomes a part of their lives. Classical Kids builds a foundation in the classics that lasts a lifetime.
“Making the masters accessible to the young.” – Time
“…a painless way to expose young folks to classical music” – TV Guide
Susan Hammond has three great passions in life: making recordings, exploring the piano, and talking to teachers. Her infectious enthusiasm and innovative teaching style has made her a popular speaker at workshops across North America.
Over its 20 year history, Classical Kids has created a whole new generation of classical music fans through its unique blend of children’s entertainment and classical music. Beethoven Lives Upstairs, Mr. Bach Comes to Call, Mozart’s Magic Fantasy, Vivaldi’s Ring of Mystery and six other titles all feature freshly recorded music with a fact-based drama from a child’s point of view. From its modest beginnings at her dining room table, Hammond has also created an Emmy-Award winning video, five acclaimed touring Symphony shows, four beautifully illustrated books, two DVDs, and acclaimed Teacher’s Notes. For her efforts, Hammond won an unprecedented six Juno Awards and has been honored with the Order of Canada for her contribution to the Arts.
“Classical Kids has so much to offer music education in context which results in meaningful learning. Teachers will benefit greatly.” (Dorothy Straub, MENC)
Shortly after the CD releases, Susan was asked to describe her approach to educators across North America. She eagerly probes the ideas of others while seeking to find the best way to make classical music exciting and relevant to kids today.
Recently, Sue turned back to her first love, the piano. Having studied at London’s Royal College of Music, with Karl Ulrich Schnabel, Lawrence Pitchko and John Covelli, she has now begun performing again. She is also applying her inquisitive mind to writing a book to help pianists improve their practicing, teaching and performance. Based on courses she taught at the Glenn Gould School in Toronto and the PEI Conservatory, the book will offer practical ideas on technique, interpretation, the emotions, listening, and programming for the practising pianist interested in retooling their skills. Being Sue, she uses the Classical Kids idea of embedding these facts in a fictional Conservatory “where I would love to spend a year myself!”
Susan Hammond now lives in Toronto, Canada, with her husband.
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“Susan Hammond has probably done more to promote classical music than anyone since Bernstein.” (NPR)
Classical Kids originator and producer Susan Hammond is acclaimed for her award-winning and best-selling Classical Kids CDs introducing children to classical music. A dramatic story, a little bit of history and the world’s best-loved classical music set the scene for fun-filled musical adventures the whole family will enjoy. It’s a symphony of stories for all ages, presenting the great composers – Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi and Handel — as heroes for today’s children.
Read More
The stories connect with kids; the music touches their hearts and becomes a part of their lives. Classical Kids builds a foundation in the classics that lasts a lifetime.
“Making the masters accessible to the young.” – Time
“…a painless way to expose young folks to classical music” – TV Guide
Susan Hammond has three great passions in life: making recordings, exploring the piano, and talking to teachers. Her infectious enthusiasm and innovative teaching style has made her a popular speaker at workshops across North America.
Over its 20 year history, Classical Kids has created a whole new generation of classical music fans through its unique blend of children’s entertainment and classical music. Beethoven Lives Upstairs, Mr. Bach Comes to Call, Mozart’s Magic Fantasy, Vivaldi’s Ring of Mystery and six other titles all feature freshly recorded music with a fact-based drama from a child’s point of view. From its modest beginnings at her dining room table, Hammond has also created an Emmy-Award winning video, five acclaimed touring Symphony shows, four beautifully illustrated books, two DVDs, and acclaimed Teacher’s Notes. For her efforts, Hammond won an unprecedented six Juno Awards and has been honoured with the Order of Canada for her contribution to the Arts.
“Classical Kids has so much to offer music education in context which results in meaningful learning. Teachers will benefit greatly.” (Dorothy Straub, MENC)
Shortly after the CD releases, Susan was asked to describe her approach to educators across North America. She eagerly probes the ideas of others while seeking to find the best way to make classical music exciting and relevant to kids today.
Recently, Sue turned back to her first love, the piano. Having studied at London’s Royal College of Music, with Karl Ulrich Schnabel, Lawrence Pitchko and John Covelli, she has now begun performing again. She is also applying her inquisitive mind to writing a book to help pianists improve their practicing, teaching and performance. Based on courses she taught at the Glenn Gould School in Toronto and the PEI Conservatory, the book will offer practical ideas on technique, interpretation, the emotions, listening, and programming for the practising pianist interested in retooling their skills. Being Sue, she uses the Classical Kids idea of embedding these facts in a fictional Conservatory “where I would love to spend a year myself!”
Susan Hammond now lives in Toronto, Canada, with her husband.
Read Less
Classical Kids Teaching Edition
This comprehensive book-style set combines musical studies with many other subject areas and skills and is designed to move children from passive listeners to active participants in music, drama, social studies, history and other arts. The set also promotes literacy, critical thinking and communication skills.
The Teaching Edition includes 9 award-winning and best-selling Classical Kids CDs plus the Beethoven Lives Upstairs and Mr. Bach Comes to Call DVDs. The set also features 3 exclusive bonus discs:
– Teacher’s Resources CD-ROM: includes Teacher’s Notes and scripts for all 9 CDs
– Slideshow DVD: hundreds of images from the times of the great composers
– Music Only CD: 40 minutes of instrumental-only music from the Classical Kids CDs
The Teacher’s Notes support the Integrated Curriculum, Whole Language Learning, Enquiry-based Learning and Visual Thinking Strategies. They provide activities and suggestions to help students and musicians develop general creativity, multi-level thinking, memory skills, cooperation and time management. The scripts are ideal for class read-alongs or ESL programs. The Slideshow DVD also comes with hundreds of questions and activities to encourage class discussions.
Classical Kids Teaching Edition
This comprehensive book-style set combines musical studies with many other subject areas and skills and is designed to move children from passive listeners to active participants in music, drama, social studies, history and other arts. The set also promotes literacy, critical thinking and communication skills.
Read More
The Teaching Edition includes 9 award-winning and best-selling Classical Kids CDs plus the Beethoven Lives Upstairs and Mr. Bach Comes to Call DVDs. The set also features 3 exclusive bonus discs:
– Teacher’s Resources CD-ROM: includes Teacher’s Notes and scripts for all 9 CDs
– Slideshow DVD: hundreds of images from the times of the great composers
– Music Only CD: 40 minutes of instrumental-only music from the Classical Kids CDs
The Teacher’s Notes support the Integrated Curriculum, Whole Language Learning, Enquiry-based Learning and Visual Thinking Strategies. They provide activities and suggestions to help students and musicians develop general creativity, multi-level thinking, memory skills, cooperation and time management. The scripts are ideal for class read-alongs or ESL programs. The Slideshow DVD also comes with hundreds of questions and activities to encourage class discussions.
Read Less