Musical Notes: Music industry news and releases for children and teens

‘Playing Guitar’ photo by Petr Kratochvil

Welcome to “Musical Notes,” this weekly column is dedicated solely to music. Like our Friday “Popcorn Report,” which features the latest information on movies, this post highlights current news and announcements in the music industry, and introduces you to the best of everything in CDs, music videos, games, instruments and upcoming performances for children, teens and families. Be sure to check back each Thursday.

LIVE PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS

On Friday, March 11, 2011 at 7:30 p.m., that energizing and fun duo from Okalahoma, the Sugar Free Allstars bring their grooving mix of music and beats to the McKinney Performing Arts Center (at the Historic Collin County Courthouse) 111 N. Tennessee, McKinney, TX 75069.

Families will enjoy everything from New Orleans funk and Memphis soul to rock and roll.

General Admission $11.50 adults; $9.50 seniors 55+/students 13+; and $6.50 for children under 12- Tickets are available online or by calling (214)-544-4630.

Below is a music video of the song “Cars and Trucks” from their latest album release, FUNKY FRESH AND SUGAR FREE.





In celebration of the new release, WHEELS ON THE BUS, Groove Kid Nation is hosting a charitable fund raising event and CD release party Sunday, March 13 at 4 p.m. (doors open at 3:30 p.m.) at Capoeira Besouro Studio, 2901 Ocean Park Ave. #103, Santa Monica, CA 90405, Telephone: 310.314.2617

WHEELS ON THE BUS features the incredibly fun and funky music for today’s generation performed by Rodney Lee on keyboards, Fred Clark on guitar, Katisse Buckingham on sax and flute, Andre Berry on Bass, Satnam Ramgotra on percussion, and Jeff Robinson on vocals.

One Hundred percent of the proceeds of this event will benefit The YWCA Family Cooperative Preschool at the YWCA Santa Monica/Westside.

Patrons will receive one FREE CD with the minimum suggested donation of $25 per family or $15 per single person. Additional CDs will be available for $15 each.

Take a look at the adorable video below that features the song “The Itsy Bitsy Spider,” one of the tracks from WHEELS ON THE BUS.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

Kinder Harp
One of the loveliest sounds for making gentle, almost ethereal music comes from a Kinder Harp, which is also known as a Kinder Lyre.

The beautiful sound this instrument produces is primarily because it is set in the five-note pentatonic scale: d' e' g' a' b' d' e'.

Young children studying at Waldorf Schools are introduced to the calming musical properties of this unique instrument at a very early age.

The video below from demonstrates the finely crafted Choroi Pentatonic Kinderharp, which retails online through Bellaluna Toys for $99.95.

MUSIC APPS

KIBOOMU
Some of the first songs that parents and caregivers share with the child in their lives are “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,” “Old Mac Donald” and the “ABC” song, and now all three of these toddler top hits are available in apps for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad from the Montreal based company, KIBOOMU.

Co-founded by entrepreneurs Wendy Wiseman and Sherry Segal, KIBOOMU launched as a company in January 2010 and has established a strong following from their website.

These music apps have a variety of play modes in addition to being colorful, engaging and educational. All three apps are available for $0.99 each from iTunes.

The video below does fine job of explaining the multiple features for the “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” app.

CD

Beethoven's Wig 4: Dance Along Symphonies
Getting children and teens interested in listening to classical music is sometimes a daunting task, but not with the multi-award-winning CD series, Beethoven’s Wig.

In this fourth installment from Rounder Records, one again finds some of the world’s most beautiful instrumental music expertly performed, and as an added bonus (in a separate version) paired with delightful rib-tickling lyrics.

A five star entertainment winner for the entire family, the full CD comes with a booklet that includes not only the lyrics but trivia questions and activities.

All 24 tracks are available to sound sample and download at iTunes or Amazon.com for $0.99 per track.

Best pricing for the entire MP3 album is $9.49 through Amazon.com.

Best price for the actual CD with booklet is currently through Amazon Marketplace for $9.79.

ONLINE VIDEO

Something special for St. Paddy’s Day was delivered online by popular children’s recording artist/entertainer DidiPop (aka Deborah Poppink Hirshland).

Hirshland says, “My daughters asked me to explain St. Patrick's Day. I was a bit stumped, so I checked out a book from Delilah's elementary school library (which was really fun), read it and wrote this song for them. Please enjoy it here and share it with your friends:”

Below is the catchy song “Potatoes and Cabbage,” which is actually a full history of St. Patrick's Day in less than 1 1/2 minutes! Enjoy, and be sure to share with the child in your life.