Music Appreciation Resources

I have to admit that I have a natural inclination for gathering up resources for our homeschool and especially love music history and appreciation resources as I have a master's degree in music education.   Here are some of the resources that we have used and loved in the past few years.   I have to admit that we do not own all of the composers audiobooks and all of the Opal Wheeler biographies, but will be adding some more to our home library soon.   The following are affiliate links, so if  you purchase any of these I will get a small percentage as a commission.

We will be starting back with our composer studies in the next few weeks.  The older boys will be away from home working with their dad on filming project for a couple of weeks, so we will start back up after that is finished.


These Mr. Pipes books written by Douglas Bond cover the music through the history of the church.  We have read most of these out loud as part of our group studies and I have to admit that we really liked them and I, myself, really learned a lot about what makes a good hymn.

Mr. Pipes and the British Hymn Makers By Douglas Bond / Christian Liberty Press An understanding of the great hymns of the Christian faith is often lacking in today's generation; convey the fabulous glory of hymnology as Mr. Pipes escorts two young Americans around England, learning about hymns and Christianity wherever they go. 242 pages, softcover.

Mr. Pipes and Psalms and Hymns of the Reformation By Douglas Bond / Christian Liberty Press Follow Mr. Pipes throughout Europe as he accompanies his two young American friends on a tour of the famous hymn writers. Examining the significance of worship and the godly traditions they're built upon, this book aims to rekindle a genuine interest in the traditional hymns of the faith. 240 pages, softcover. Grades 7-10.

Mr. Pipes Comes to America By Douglas Bond / Christian Liberty Press Cultivate a love of traditional hymns in your young believers as they follow Mr. Pipes from his cozy English cottage to America! From Plymouth to Amesbury, Princeton to Boston, Mr. Pipes leads Annie and Drew on a delightful historical adventure, teaching them about the lives and music of John Eliot, Phillips Brooks, John Greenleaf Whittier, and other great hymn writers. Includes music and lyrics. 194 pages, softcover.

The Accidental Voyage: Discovering Hymns of the Early Centuries By Douglas Bond / P & R Publishing Get ready for a great story about two American teens traveling in Europe with David McCallum, an English organist known in his parish as Mr. Pipes. During a series of hair-raising adventures across Europe, Mr. Pipes introduces Annie and Drew to sixteen hymns from the early centuries, and to hymnists Ambrose of Milan, Bernard of Clairvaux, St. Francis of Asissi, St. Patrick, and more.

A Young Scholar's Guide to Composers is what we are currently using in our studies.  Timelines, biographies, musical selections and coloring pages make this guide a great multi-level teaching tool.

A Young Scholar's Guide to Composers By Melissa E. Craig & Maggie S. Hogan / Bright Ideas Press Introduce your students to the music, life, and times of famous composers! With this user-friendly resource, reluctant and enthusiastic musicians alike will enjoy learning about Mozart, Beethoven, Joplin, and others. This creative curriculum features 32 weekly lessons; 26 biographies; easy-to-use maps; a comparative timeline; information cards; games; note-taking pages; quizzes; answer keys; listening suggestions; coloring pages; and suggested resources. Grades 4 to 8. 299 pages, softcover.

We don't have all the CDs in the set, but do have several and my children of all ages have enjoyed and learned a lot from them.  The audiobooks tell an interesting story about the featured composer that will keep the listener engaged throughout.  Musical selections are also included.

Beethoven Lives Upstairs         - Audiobook on CD By Classical Kids / Children's Book Store Dist. In this tale of genius and childhood, an eccentric new boarder turns a young boy's life upside-down.  Ludwig Van Beethoven has moved in upstairs!  Young Christoph exchanges letters about the chaotic arrival of Mr. Beethoven and learns to appreciate and understand the great composer and his music.  The CD features over two dozen excerpts from Beethoven's music including the Moonlight Sonata, Symphonies #5-9, Fur Elise, Pathetique Sonata, Flute Serenade, and Minuet in G Major.

Daydreams and Lullabies      - Audiobook on CD By Classical Kids / Children's Book Store Dist. Follow a young family from playtime to dream time through the nursery, the park, the streets of Olde London and off to bed. Newborns to 90-year-olds will enjoy this magical mix of classical music, classical poetry and poems written and performed by children.Daydreams and Lullabies features a rich variety of the great classical lullabies, rounds for family singing and traditional English songs. Includes the music of Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Vivaldi, Schubert, Pachelbel, Tchaikovsky and Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel.

Hallelujah Handel        - Audiobook on CD By Classical Kids / Children's Book Store Dist. In 1750, George Frideric Handel gave musical history's greatest gift - his Messiah - to an orphanage in London. From that city's dark lanes comes Thomas, a boy who sings like an angel but will not speak. Finally the boy is healed with the help of Maestro Handel, Katarina (from Vivaldi's Ring Of Mystery) and the power and glory of the music. Includes more than two dozens excerpts of Handel's music, including the Sarabande in D minor, Water Music, Music for the Royal Fireworks, Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, Harp Concerto, oratorios, operas, and of course, Messiah.

Mozart's Magic Fantasy        - Audiobook on CD By Classical Kids / Children's Book Store Dist. The Story: With magic bells and flute, Sarah and the dragon find their way from the Queen of the Night's realm to  Sarastro's castle. Together they help Prince Tamino find Princess Pamina and the bird-man Papageno find his Papagena.  The Music: Features Mozart's best known arias, originally translated and freshly recorded with child-appropriate verse. Lyrics enclosed.

Mozart's Magnificent Voyage       - Audiobook on CD By Classical Kids / Children's Book Store Dist. The Story: The Dream Children are about to be written out of Mozart's most famous opera. In the hopes of changing their fate, they enlist the help of the composer's young son Karl. Together the children embark on an incredible journey that takes them back in time to Mozart's childhood and ahead to the future. Along the way, Karl comes to understand his father's legacy of timeless music.  The Music: More than 2 dozen excerpts of Mozart's music, including Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, the Clarinet Quartet, Flute Quartet, Horn Concerto, Symphony No. 1, Ave Verum Corpus, Piano Sonatas, Concerto k.467 and "twinkle" Variations, plus several excerpts from Mozart's best loved operas.

Mr. Bach Comes to Call       - Audiobook on CD By Classical Kids / Children's Book Store Dist. The Story: After the dramatic send-off of his music into space about Voyager II, Mr. Bach, along with his magic orchestra and choir, drops in on a little girl as she practices piano.  The Music: Over 2 dozen excerpts, including Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, Brandenburg Concerto #5, Flute Sonatas and Badinerie, Air for the G-String, Goldberg Variations, piano minuet and preludes, organ music and Choral Cantata #78

Tchaikovsky Discovers America       - Audiobook on CD By Classical Kids / Children's Book Store Dist. Tchaikovsky arrives in New York for the grand opening of Carnegie Hall in 1891. It's all aboard for a fun-filled musical adventure to Niagara Falls. During his trip, the great composer shares stories with a young family about his music, his life and his fear of conducting. In the end, both the composer and the family discover something about courage and about themselves. Includes more than two dozen excerpts of Tchaikovsky's music, including The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake, The First Piano Concerto, String  Serenade and 1812 Overture. Also included is a musical mosaic of well-known American music of the time, including ragtime, spirituals and popular folk classics.

The Gift of Music gives biographical information about many composers.  I have used this along with other studies as we learned about specific composers.  Probably written more to the 12-15 age group all can learn from and appreciate the information shared that gives insight into many of the world's composers beliefs about Christ.   My music loving 15 year old has been reading this book for his own enjoyment in the last few days.

The Gift of Music: Great Composers & Their Influence   By Jane Stuart Smith & Betty Carlson / Crossway Books & Bibles "The arts are not extraneous . . . but a vital and essential part of our existence," write the authors. This stimulating overview integrates the biographies, beliefs, and music of 45 composers from Schutz to Shostakovich; and suggests recommended reading and listening to expand your students' understanding and appreciation of great music. Joyously written from a Christian viewpoint. 317 pages, softcover from Crossway.

What a treasure trove of great reading for the younger crowd!!  I originally found these books by Opal Wheeler at our local library sale and was able to purchase several old volumes.  How wonderful that Zeedok Press is now republishing them!!  I didn't include links, but there are also study guides to go with each book.  

Sebastian Bach, The Boy from Thuringia Study Guide By Judy Wilcox / Zeezok Publishing, Llc This study guide accompanies Opal Wheeler's sold-separately Sebastian Bach, The Boy from Thuringia. Timelines, additional illustrations, tidbits of information, and reading comprehension questions are included. Answers follow the questions with referenced pages numbers where the answer can be found. 32 pages, softcover. Grades K-6.

The Young Brahms - Hardcover By Opal Wheeler & Sybil Deucher / Zeezok Publishing, Llc The story of young Brahms, children will love the vivid descriptions of his childhood, from his family to his music lessons, his inspiration and dedication. A wonderful living book you'll want to have on your shelf for history, music, and other unit studies! Vintage pen-and-ink illustrations bring charm to the text, and included selections allow musicians to perform some of his works. Hardcover, 126 pages. Grades K-6.

Joseph Haydn, The Merry Little Peasant By Opal Wheeler and Sybil Deucher / Zeezok Publishing, Llc Give your children a love for Haydn's compositions with this simple biography. From his boyhood to his early education to his adult life as a famous composer, this is one living book you'll want to have on your shelf for history, music, and other unit studies. Vintage pen-and-ink illustrations bring charm and whimsy to the text. 118 pages, softcover. Ages 8-12.

Franz Schubert and His Merry Friends By Opal Wheeler & Sybil Deucher / Zeezok Publishing, Llc A detailed biography written for children, this story of the brilliant, young, and mischievous Franz Schubert is the perfect introduction to the young composer's life. Learn how the "Unfinished Symphony" was left incomplete not because of any tragedy, but because his friends were starting for a picnic when he was in the middle of it; his pranks and escapades; and all about his beautiful music. Numerous selections are provided, including the March Militaire, the Moment Musicale, the theme of The Erlking, the Cradle Song and several more. Vintage pen-and-ink illustrations bring charm and whimsy to the text. 124 pages, softcover.

The Young Brahms By Opal Wheeler & Sybil Deucher / Zeezok Publishing, Llc The story of young Brahms, children will love the vivid descriptions of his childhood, from his family to his music lessons, his inspiration and dedication. A wonderful living book you'll want to have on your shelf for history, music, and other unit studies! Vintage pen-and-ink illustrations bring charm to the text, and included selections allow musicians to perform some of his works. Softcover, 148 pages. Grades K-6.

Robert Schumann and Mascot Ziff By Opal Wheeler / Zeezok Publishing, Llc This engaging biography will become a favorite on anyone's shelf! Learn about Schumann's happy life, and how his inability to play perfectly due to one of his fingers helped to fuel his compositions. Vintage pen-and-ink illustrations bring charm and whimsy to the text. 157 pages, softcover. Musical selections are included, with track numbers referencing the sold-separately companion CD.

We have used a few other musical resources through the years and I will share them at a later time.  If  you haven't included music appreciation or history in your homeschool, please consider doing so!  God did, indeed, give us the gift of music and it is such a wonderful way to add beauty to your home.

http://ateachingheart.com/2011/09/07/mozarts-family/