Music for Children

Every two years UC Berkeley presents the Berkeley Festival and Exhibition, a week-long celebration of early music featuring renowned musicians from around the world. Early music, if you're not familiar with the term, refers to music from the middle ages through approximately the end of the 18th century, played on instruments of the period and using period performance practice. While much of this may not be all that interesting to kids, they usually present at least one family friendly concert.
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In our second in a series of interviews with Bay Area children's musicians, we talk to singer and instrumentalist Betsy Stern, who's  jazz- and world-influenced music for children and families can be heard at live venues throughout the area, such as Novato's Playtime Safari, and in her new CD Foyo. In fact, we're giving away a free copy of Foyo, courtesy of Betsy Stern, to one lucky visitor to this site. To enter the drawing, send an email to contests@marinmommies.com with the word "Foyo" in the subject line by midnight on Sunday, June 1, 2008. We'll select one winner at random on Monday, June 2. 

Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your new CD.
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One of the things our family loves is music, and in the Bay Area there's no shortage of skilled and talented musicians who specialize in performing for children. One of the most popular performers in both Marin and San Francisco is multi-instrumentalist and singer Enzo Garcia, who has been delighting children and their parents with his "Breakfast with Enzo" for over five years. In what he hope is the first of a series of interviews with area musicians, we asked Enzo some questions about himself and his music and why he loves doing what he does.

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Are you looking for a fun music class for your child? One popular music class is Music Together of Marin, a family music education program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and their families and caregivers. Beth Crespan, a former preschool teacher, started her business 10 years ago, and offers ongoing classes in Ross, Mill Valley, Corte Madera, and San Anselmo. One of Beth’s goals is for students to bring the music home that they learned in class and share it with their families.

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As regular readers of this site know, we're always happy to get our hands on great childrens' music. We also happen to be living in a time when there seems to be a lot of really great music for kids. No exception to this is a CD we received a few weeks back called Mr. Oscat Says. Mr. Oscat Says is by the band Mr. Oscat, which is based down south in Bakersfield. The "band" is multi-talented musician Olen Taylor, of the "truck-stop pop" band The Wichitas, and his daughters Caitlin, 10, and Alison, 6.

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In our never-ending search for great kids music, we've come to realize that sometimes it's better to have something softer and more calming for those times that kiddie rock tunes just won't do. That's why we were pretty happy when a copy of Siente showed up here at Marin Mommies World Headquarters. Siente is a collection of lullabies from around the world, performed by classical guitarist Hilary Field and vocalist Patrice O'Neil, as well as a guest artists on a variety of instruments. It's beautiful, calming, and comforting music--perfect for the children's bedtime, although we've found ourselves playing around the house while working. After all, it's marketed as "lullabies for grownups... and their kids".

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Here at MarinMommies.com we're constantly on the lookout for great kids' music, and, as always we're always happy when we find something that doesn't make us lose the will to live. So we were especially pleased when a copy of The Hipwaders' just-released CD, Educated Kid, landed on our desk at Marin Mommies Corporate World Headquarters (AKA the kitchen table). The Hipwaders, based in the East Bay, are an award-winning band comprised of two paramedics, guitarist/lead vocalist Tito Uquillas and bass player/vocalist Chris Blubaugh, and a high school art teacher, drummer/vocalist Nick Baca.

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In our household, where we're always on the hunt for children's music that doesn't make you lose the will to live, we've been fans of Susie Tallman and her children's music ever since we received copies of her lullaby CDs as new baby gifts for Trevor, who's now 4. We're excited about her recent release, Let's Go! Travel, Camp & Car Songs.
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