Classics for Kids

Published Date: April 15, 2003

Kids listening to classical music? It's happening in Cincinnati, thanks to WGUC and the support of the Dater Foundation.

The station's Classics for Kids radio broadcasts air twice every weekend and the Classics for Kids website (www.classicsforkids.com) makes music fun for children and provides curriculum resources for music and classroom teachers in grades Kindergarten through eighth grade.

"The majority of children in the Greater Cincinnati area are unfamiliar with classical music or think of it as their grandparent's music," said Len Sternberg of WGUC's development staff.

"Classical music is not played in their homes. Their families often cannot afford or choose not to attend the symphony, ballet or opera. An occasional school assembly may be their only exposure to classical music. Many do not have a music teacher in their school. WGUC's Classic for Kids radio broadcast and curriculum materials makes classical music accessible and exciting for elementary school-aged students."

The Dater Foundation provided the initial seed money for the pilot project and has been an ongoing supporter the program.

"WGUC can honestly say that without the Dater Foundation's commitment and generosity there would be no Classics for Kids program, lessening the learning experience of more than 50,000 children," said Sternberg.

Rebecca Gribler, elementary music teacher for West Clermont Schools, wrote to WGUC expressing her enthusiasm for the Classics for Kids program:

"I have sent home information concerning the radio program broadcast on WGUC on Saturday mornings and Sunday evenings. I have taught my children how to access and enjoy the Classics for Kids website in their homes and classrooms. Many of my children enthusiastically look forward to listening to your broadcasts on Saturdays and Sundays."

Ms Gribler went on to describe a project based on music from the Nutcracker:

"We learned how the music had a specific form and compared the two pieces using Venn Diagrams. We made predictions about how the dancers would dress and move. We tried moving to the music ourselves emulating ballet dancers. We discussed ballet as a gender issue. Would there be any men? Finally, we watched a video of the Baryshnikov version of the two pieces. The children were very excited about the music by then and were surprised to see how athletic the dancers were, especially after trying some of the moves themselves. We discussed various ways to access the rest of the ballet such as renting or buying the video, watching for it to appear on TV, or asking Grandma or Aunt Sue or Uncle Frank to take you downtown to see it live. Because of the excitement generated, several of my children who would not have had the opportunity actually did get to see the live production and many others persuaded their parents to rent or buy the video. Tchaikovsky is no longer an unknown composer at Withamsville-Tobasco Elementary School."

For more information, visit WGUC's web site --

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