Have A Hoe-Down With Your Kids

Yesterday I was driving in the car with my kids and they started getting restless, which means N started bugging C to get a rise out of her. So, I turned on the radio to the classical station (89.1 FM around here) to distract them with music. I've found they do better when there's music playing, and I've also found that they love the classical station (Hmm...could that possibly be because I'm a big nerd and that's pretty much all I listen to?) To my delight, they were playing the final movement from Aaron Copland's Rodeo. Most of you will recognize this as the "Beef- it's what's for dinner" song from the commercials that used to be on T.V. It's one of those songs that makes you want to get up and dance and wish you lived in the 19th century American West.

I cranked the volume, and we had our own little hoe-down in the car (don't worry- my driving was fine). The kids LOVED it! I looked in my rear view mirror and saw big smiles on their faces, and when it was over C clapped her hands to show her approval. N wanted me to play it again, which I would have gladly done if I could have.

I decided that Copland's Rodeo is a definite must to my classical music collection. Not only is it wonderful music, but it's great for kids. If you're interested in adding it to your collection I found a very good and inexpensive recording on Amazon that also includes Copland's Billy the Kid. Your kids will love it.