SFS Kids
Safe, simple introduction to classical music and composers.
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this website.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that SFS KIDS is a music-focused site from the San Francisco Symphony that encourages kids to learn about and discover classical music, instruments, and composers. Through simple activities, it offers an elementary introduction to what goes into creating an orchestra, from types of instruments to the difference between rhythm, pitch, tempo, and harmony.
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What’s It About?
As a safe, kid-friendly companion to the San Francisco Symphony website, SFS KIDS offers kids an opportunity to engage with classical music on many levels. It provides an overview of orchestral music, including the types of instruments you'd find, the sounds they make, and where the musicians sit within the orchestra. The site's Music Lab requires some reading but is peppered with quick activities that encourage interaction and experimentation while reinforcing concepts such as tempo, rhythm, pitch, and harmony.
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Is It Any Good?
As a basic introduction to classical music, SFS KIDS is a smart place to start. It's colorful, fun to explore, and has some interesting interactive activities that may pique a young kid's interest in music. It might even get them geeked enough to try a musical instrument or take a trip to see the symphony. That, of course, is the motivation here. Aside from giving a general overview of music, instruments, and composers, this site aims to encourage kids to visit the San Francisco Symphony. Although there are only a small number of activities, younger kids will find some fun, music-oriented spots to hear snippets of classical pieces, learn about instruments, see the symbols used to write music, and learn musical concepts. Though it requires a bit of reading, kids will find a cursory collection of activities that may spark some musical creativity -- or at least a desire to hear and learn more.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how many different types of musical genres there are. How many can you name? What are your favorites and why?
Discuss how kids can use computers to learn about the arts. What do you like to create using the computer? How does it add to the arts education you receive in school?
Chat about how learning about composers and music can tell you a lot about history. Why do you think classical music was such an important part of history? How did composers use music as a form of storytelling?
Website Details
- Subjects: Arts: music, playing, rhythm
- Skills: Creativity: combining knowledge, innovation, making new creations
- Genre: Music
- Pricing structure: Free
- Last updated: November 5, 2015
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