More Than Just A Story ~ Maestro Classics Reveiw

As soon as I received Maestro Classics in the mail to review for TOS Crew (The Old Schoolhouse Magazine) I immediately threw it into the stereo.  As we went through our day, I had this CD playing in the background.  I absolutely love the music that is in the CD.

Maestro Classics ~ Stories In Music is a series of CD's that have classic stories such as The Tortoise and the Hare set to orchestra music.  The CD is so much more than just a story to listen to.  It's a whole package.  More on that later.

Three Major Benefits of Maestro Classics

• To expand listening horizons
• To hone listening skills and accumulate musical memories
• To encourage adults and children to listen to music together

When you go to their website, you can listen to a samples.  If you click on the "Music Is On" button at the top next to the Maestro, you can hear 3 different samples.
Maestro Classics

I had the chance to review the Tortoise and the Hare.  It's package is very colorful as is the CD.  Presentation is important to me and they hit the mark. 

When you open the CD package, there is a little book inside.  That is what makes this CD a package deal and more than just a story.  Inside the book, there are pages that explain (even for young children) an orchestra.  It has pictures of the intruments, and explainations of notes, fractions and  time signatures. 

The book then goes on to explain small tidbits of information on the animals and similar animals used in the story such as turtles & tortoises and rabbits & hares.  This book has 21 pages of information to help further your childs understanding. 

The CD includes the story, of course, and several other helpful elements. 

• About the Story
• Song
• About the Music
• Now That You Know a Little More...
• Prepare to Perform
• Sing Along

When I sat down to write the review for this CD, Double Espresso came in the room.  He looked at the CD folder and immediately started to retell the story and summed it up with the lesson learned, "Slow and steady wins the race."  Another lesson learned, "Not to brag."

I was pleased to hear him, after several months, recall what he had learned.  I personally believe that the orchestra music behind the story had a lot to do with that.  I did have to skip through some of the other elements on the CD as we thought that they were a little boring but all in all, the story is soothing and beautiful. 

The Tortoise and the Hare

Time: 53 min / 57 sec

Cost:  $16.98

(I was not paid to review this product.)