The Question: How do we get kids interested in classical music?
The Answer: Exposure. Let them hear it. How can they know they like something if they never hear it?
I grew up many years ago in an atmosphere where classical music was played a lot. My mother listened faithfully to opera on the radio from The Met every Saturday afternoon. My dad would listen to Berlioz or Rimsky-Korsakov late at night.
When my own kids were very little they fell asleep in my arms listening to Chopin or Mozart. As they grew, I often put on classical music and let them dance around as princesses or they acted out Tchaikovsky's ballets.
When my grandkids came along I just naturally did the same thing. When they're at my house they hear a whole range of pieces from different musical eras. I'm not overt about it-- it's just playing in the background as we do other things.
If you want the next generation to be interested in classical music then you need to have it playing around the house. Don't know much yourself? You'll find some resources below to help you get started on your musical journey with your kids.
NEW! But what if I know nothing about Classical music?
TV Shows, Movies
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Little Einsteins TV Shows
and Movies 2 to 5 years I love this show! Leo, Annie, June and Quincy along with their friend Rocket, travel all over the world on various adventures. There is a different musical theme each week and a featured work of art. The plot is often interactive with the children patting out rhythms or singing as they listen to the theme. More info: Wikipedia: Little Einsteins |
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Barbie Movies Nutcracker: The Christmas classic retold with the Tchaikovsky music. Swan Lake: Tchaikovsky's music for the ballet. Magic of Pegasus: Portions of Beethoven's 6th Symphony, and Prokofiev's Lieutenant Kije Suite. Rapunzel: Portions of Dvorak's 9th Symphony (New World). 12 Dancing Princesses: Portions of Mendelssohn's Italian Symphony and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Mermaidia: Bibble sings the Queen of the Night Aria from Mozart's Magic Flute.
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Disney's Fantasia (the
original one) I know lots of grownups who will always love this movie. Although some parts are dated, it's a classic. My favorite is still the Sorceror's Apprentice (and it still irks me the way Dukas' music is chopped up to fit the animation). More info: Wikipedia Fantasia |
Kid's Websites
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Carnegie Hall Listening Adventures The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra is probably best for school age kids, but a younger child can get through it with help. The music by Benjamin Britten showcases each orchestra section in turn. |
Adult Music Resources
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Classical
Music Archives The Classical Archives is the largest classical music site on the web. You can listen to their web radio for an everchanging mix of classical music. |
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E Music I get most of my music these days from eMusic.
They have a huge classical music section. eMusic is different
than other services as it offers MP3s free from
copy protection. This means that eMusic customers truly
own the music they download. |