Sonya and I are classical concert pianists who happen to be sisters.  You can read about us at www.schumannduo.com and www.elizabethschumann.com.

We decided to record a children's CD which, through narrative storytelling, is an attractive vehicle for classical piano pieces. 

Why do we want to record a children's CD?

Government funding for Arts Education has been cut everywhere, and we're worried that children are not exposed to classical music. If classical music could be presented to young children in a way that captured their imaginations, a larger audience of children could grow to love music in a way that would enrich their whole lives.

What is the goal?

To allow elementary school aged children to discover the world of classical music

What are the objectives?

1. To record a CD!!

2. To distribute free copies to programs and educators where arts funding is being cut!  We're working with like minded non-profit organizations including Save the Music and The Fine Arts Initiative to help make sure that kids have the opportunity to hear high quality classical music.

So, what is the narrative plot of the CD?

The recording will present 20 short movements and classical piano pieces, each shorter than 2 minutes.  These pieces will be presented within two narratives, in a combination of the classic radio drama and a concert of classical favorites. 

The first story, written in verse, is about a little girl who loves animals so much that she hides at the zoo's closing time and is locked inside overnight.  There she sees wondrous things: A tortoise who moves so slowly that he sees everything else in the world as a blur, a midnight skeleton ball (tuxedo clad fossils!) and a myriad of other mysterious creatures doing bizarre and whimsical things.  This poetry is based around the Saint-Saëns “Carnival of the Animals”, written for two pianos.

In the second story, the little girl has a magic, talking piano, which plays any piece she asks.  At first she uses the piano so that her strict grandma and grumpy piano teacher will think she's practicing... However, they think her playing is so marvelous that they send her on concert tour with her piano! Trapped in her own fibs, she fools everyone into thinking she is a prodigy, until the inevitable moralistic end, when the piano tires of her hubris and refuses to play for her!  Every piece that the magical piano performs will be logically integrated into the dialogue.

How will this Save the Arts?

Well, of course, the arts don't really need saving--they will always be there!  But it is very worrisome that kids aren't being exposed to high quality music.  We've seen first hand how just one pure musical seed can blossom into a lifelong, enriching love of music.  Showing a few children the power of classical music will open a door for them to see and experience music in a meaningful way.

How do I request a CD for my school or kids' program?

So glad you asked!!  Just write us an email and we'll be in touch!  savethearts@elizabethschumann.com

How do we plan to spend your hard earned money?