A round up of the Autumn programme of inclusive music making opportunities for children and young people at MAC in Birmingham, UK.
Facts about the Trumpet
What do you know about the trumpet? How do you play the trumpet? What is the history of the trumpet? The answer to these questions and more can be found here.
MAC Makes Music: Music Events for Families Over the Summer
What on earth do you do with your children to fill the time in the summer holidays? Well if you live near Birmingham City Centre like me, why not check out these events over at #MAC #summermusic #summerholidays #summermusicevents #musicforkids #makeyourownmusic
Saxophone
What is a saxophone? Who invented it and why is it a surprise he made it to adulthood at all? How do you play saxophone? These and more questions are answered in this post.
Music Book Review: The Bear, The Piano and Little Bear’s Concert by David Litchfield
The Bear, The Piano and Little Bear's Concert by David Litchfield is a lovely follow up to the Waterstones Children's Book Prize winning book The Bear and The Piano.
Music Book Review: When Step met Skip by Vicky Weber
This Music Book Review is a lovely book When Step Met Skip by Vicky Weber, illustrated by Geneviève Viel-Taschereau. Written by an Early Years music teacher, the book introduces simple music theory concepts in a fun and engaging way for young readers.
Can You Buy Sheet Music From The National Book Chains?
Is it worth going into one of the National Chain book shops if you are looking to buy sheet music? I went into 2 in Birmingham, UK and this is what I found.
Facts About the Bassoon
In this post I turn the spotlight onto the bassoon, one of the lowest pitched and largest members of the woodwind family of instruments. What do you know about this unique and fabulous instrument? A lot more than before, if you read this post!
Where to Buy Sheet Music Online?
So your child is learning a musical instrument? Where would you go to to buy the sheet music they need? Starting with online retailers I talk about where to go to buy sheet music from.
A History of Music for Children
This #MusicBookReview looks at a brilliant book for children about the history of music. Full of engaging and informative facts about all sorts of music throughout the ages, the authors have written a great, fun book that any music loving child will really enjoy.
DIY Wood Block- Decorate Your Own Kit from Baker Ross
Making a woodblock with my 4 year old using DIY Baker Ross Mini Wooden Block kit. A fun way to spend a rainy afternoon, spending family time together.
Composition Game to Play with your Children
Musical games to play at home. A fun way to get your children to have a go at composition, and to make their own music. Great for homeschool music composition class.
Music Book Review: Lift-the-flap Questions and Answers about Music
This month’s Music Book Review looks at Usborne Books’ Lift-the-flap Questions and Answers about Music. This is a good book for younger readers to learn more about music. It is a lift-the-flap book which will engage even younger readers.
What do children study creative arts for?
Why do we teach children creative arts? If children are not going to be professional artists or musicians etc is it worth teaching them these subjects? My answer is a resounding yes, for the reasons outlined in this post.
Facts about the Clarinet
Fun facts about instruments of the orchestra - this time a member of the woodwind family, the clarinet. How much do you know about this musical instrument?
Facts About the Oboe
This month’s featured instrument of the orchestra is a member of the woodwind family: the oboe.
Hello Bird, Hello Fish! Review of new Work In Progress Opera from B’Opera
A review of the new work in progress opera Hello Bird, Hello Fish by Birmingham based children’s opera company B’Opera.
Interview with Zoë Challenor, B’Opera
In this post I interview Zoe Challinor, one of the founders of an opera company for under 5s and their families based in Birmingham, UK.
Music Book Review: Rhythm Rescue by Vicky Weber
Tala is a little girl who lives in Music Metropolis and who has special powers through the power of music. Read my review of the book Rhythm Rescue by Vicky Weber and illustrated by Geneviève Viel-Taschereau.
Music Book Review – The Story Orchestra, Four Seasons In One Day by Jessica Courtney-Tickle
A review of Four Seasons In One Day, one of The Story Orchestra series of books that bring famous musical words to life for young children.
Facts about the flute
How much do you know about the flute? Some interesting facts about my favourite wind instrument (the one I play myself).
Music for Winter – Playlists
A couple of winter themed music playlists to listen to with your children. Grab an instrument and play or sing along, dance around, grab pens and paper and make art inspired by the music you hear. Whatever you want to do, I hope you enjoy this playlist at home, or in your music homeschool.
Facts about the Trombone
How much do you know about the trombone? Here are some trombone facts to increase your musical general knowledge on this brass instrument.
Living In A Musical House
What are the consequences of children being encouraged to enjoy music? Well yours will never be a quiet home if that is the case. Actually, it is quite fun!
Fun facts about Christmas Music
How many times have you listened to the same Christmas songs in the shops? They start being played earlier and earlier each year, don't they? But how much do you know about our musical festive favourites? Here are some fun and interesting seasonal facts about Christmas music.
Music Book Review: Once Upon a Tune Stories from the Orchestra
Ever wonder what inspired some of the most famous pieces of music? Well in this wonderful book, Once Upon A Tune: Stories From The Orchestra by James Mayhew, the stories behind many brilliant pieces of music, including The Sorcerer's Apprentice, The Flight of the Bumblebee and The William Tell Overture, are told.
Baker Ross DIY Castanets Kit
Reviewing a DIY castanets kit from Baker Ross, and demonstrating how to make your own castanets.
Black History Month – Composers
A tour through music history from the classical period highlighting the music of Black Composers, in celebration of Black History Month.
Music Book Review: Wheels on the Bus from Cocomelon
This Music Book Review looks at the board book of children's favourite song Wheels On The Bus. This version of the song if from YouTube children's animation channel Cocomelon. I challenge you not to sing along when reading this with your children.
Music Product Review: Kazoo that Tune game
A review of a silly, fun musical game- Kazoo That Tune!
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