In my last post, I mentioned that Newt and I have been studying different composers. What I didn’t mention is that I am quite musically ignorant. I can barely tell a Mozart from a matzo ball. And the only instrument I can play is my iPod.
But that doesn’t mean I can’t teach the classics. I just means that I will be learning as much as my girl, sometimes more.
We have set aside Fridays as our Arts and Humanities day. This includes our weekly composer study.
It is far easier than it sounds, even for a novice like me.
I grab my laptop and we cuddle up together while listening to a free six minute “radio show” on Classics for Kids. A different composer is featured each month. The radio show gives information about the composer’s life and music in an upbeat, kid friendly way. I also check out CDs from our library that feature that composer’s work. We listen to them while doing schoolwork or cleaning the house. Occasionally, we will talk about how the music makes us feel. At the end of the month, Newt completes Classics for Kids’s monthly activity sheet. It’s fun. We both enjoy those months that include a listening map. What a fun way to train your ear.
If you’d like to see an example, here is one on Edvard Grieg, this month’s featured composer.
That’s it. Easy, right?
This method has worked well for us for several months, but this month I decided to add a bit to it. I wanted a record of what Newt was learning so she could go back and review. I created a notebooking page for her to record her thoughts on. I think we will be doing this from now on. If you are interested, you can download a PDF of my page on Edvard Grieg here.
Simple but effective.
Last spring we studied Giacomo Puchini. Neither one of us had ever listed to opera before. In fact, it is quite possible that the only exposure I’d ever had to opera was this:

Secretly, I thought it would be a bit boring, even if Cher Loretta did not. But, I felt it was my duty to remain neutral and let my girl make up her own mind.
In addition to the CDs, I checked out a DVD of Madame Butterfly from the library. I intended to show Newt a few minutes worth so she could get a more complete picture of what the opera is all about. I put in the DVD and was surprised to find that I was enjoying myself. I was even more surprised to find that Newt was as well. She begged to watch all 2-plus hours of it. If you are not familiar with Madame Butterfly, I should tell you that every bit of dialog is sung.
In Italian.
Of course, there were English subtitles, and those kept us up with what was happening in the story, but it was the music that was so moving. By the time Madame Butterfly reached her tragic conclusion, Newt and I were both in tears.
Who knew?
A couple of weeks ago I was driving along and happened to hear on the radio that another Puccini opera, La Boheme, was playing the next weekend in Portland. I went home and looked online for tickets, but it appeared as though all the cheap ones were sold out and I did not have an extra $260 lying around for a pair of the good ones. Truthfully, these days I am hard pressed to find any extra money lying around, but I digress.

Luckily, I happen to know a secret to getting what you want.
Ask for it. The worst that can happen is a no.
I wrote a letter to the Portland Opera explaining my desire to take my eight year old to see La Boheme. I told them of her interest in Puccini and her love for Madame Butterfly. I explained that I am a poor homeschoolin’ mama and asked if they would be willing to offer me a couple of discounted seats. You know, to encourage a future patron of the arts? For good measure, I threw in this picture of my girl:

Two days after I mailed it off, I received a call from the lovely woman in charge of the Portland Opera’s Education and Outreach Department. I had no idea they even had such a department. It turns out that the Portland Opera is very supportive of educators.
She offered me student tickets for $20 each.
They were Orchestra, Row H.
Yes, please!
The day before the show, Newt and I went back to the Classics for Kids website spent some time playing with their interactive orchestra chart.
The next evening, we entered the auditorium and she made a beeline for the orchestra pit.
“Mom, look! That’s the percussion section! And there are the strings! And the brass!”
The performers continued to tune their instruments as they smiled up at this enthusiastic young girl.
We took out seats moments before the lights dimmed. The show was breathtakingly beautiful. The music, the acting, the sets: it was simply amazing.
Between acts, I whispered to Newt from the program what would be happening next. She also followed along with the subtitles they had projected above the stage.
She didn’t fidget. She didn’t look away. I’m not sure if she even blinked.
It was magical.
Last week Newt wrote a wonderful little thank you note to the Portland Opera. We both got a response. For her, some encouraging words and an invitation to write or email and discuss opera anytime. She is already drafting a response. For me, an offer for another pair of discounted tickets.
We will be going to Orphee next month. I paid $30 for the pair of tickets.
Lessons learned?
You are never too old, or too young, to appreciate beauty.
I don’t need to know everything in order to teach my daughter well. Learning together is really enjoyable for both of us.
Quality educational experiences do not have to be expensive or complicated.
Always ask for what you want; you may be surprised at how much you receive.
Cher Loretta was right. Opera is actually really cool – even if, as in my case, your date is holding your hand with one of hers and a stuffed animal with the other.