To play the best composers wouldn’t it be nice to know them?
Some of our best classical composers had very interesting lives from the time they were young. Melanie restarted her violin lessons this week. She has the best teacher. I popped my head in and heard her teacher giving her a history lesson on one of the composers! My kind of teacher! I’m so grateful she is willing to take on this new era in our lives of virtual lessons with Melanie. Mrs. Francis IS the best and has taught my two other girls cello.
When I heard her mention this composer’s historical fact, I immediately knew what are first book of 6th grade would be.
Handel (at the Court of Kings)
Written by Opal Wheeler, this book not only is going to give us a look into young Handel but is part of a series. You’ll see the ones I have in the picture above.
I remember as a kid reading about Mozart and being so impressed with how diligent he seemed in music.
I was taking piano lessons as a 10 year old and I wasn’t that excited about practicing. As is true with any child at that age, practice seems a waste of time when there are playgrounds to be explored! However, to this day, I am grateful for the brief time my parents were able to give me lessons. It was a joy to to start playing for my father’s church (age 12) and I haven’t stopped serving churches with music since. I saw the purpose and that is my aim for Melanie this year. I want her to see the power of practice and the joy of serving in her church.
These composers will show her as she sees Handel playing in front of royalty! She will be able to relate to the times of practices and see that Handel’s practice took him places.
Opal Wheeler does a great job of weaving a story about these composers in a way that any child would appreciate. The illustrations are great as well.
I’m a firm believer in reading to your children daily from birth on. With a new granddaughter, I plan on reading to her via FaceTime (joys of technology when you’re living across the states) from now on. I want my children and grandchildren to enjoy the books that I enjoyed and to learn history through stories told.
Here’s to a great week of reading (learning) about Handel and next week I’ll give you a new book to read and enjoy!