Not all family Christmas albums are created equally.

Which is why Putumayo’s newest CD “A Family Christmas” is the one and only disc we’ve been playing this holiday season. The entire 11-track set is
so festive and includes new interpretatios of classic tis-the-season favorites in jazz, blues, retro-swing, folksong and country.

Take a look:

1. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” – Johnny Bregar
2. “Holly Jolly Christmas” – Martin Sexton
3. “Is Zat You Santa Claus?” – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
4. “Let it Snow” – Leon Redbone
5. “Winter Wonderland” – Deana Carter
6. “Sleigh Ride” – Sam Bush
7. “Here We Come A-Wassailing” – Kate Rusby
8. “Jolly Old St. Nick” – Brave Combo
9. “Mele Kalikimaka” – Debbie Davis and Matt Perrine
10. “Boogie Woogie Santa Claus” – The Christmas Jug Band featuring Angela Strehli and Maria Muldaur
11. “Frosty the Snowman” – Lars Edegran and his Santa Claus Revelers featuring Big Al Carson

Listen to a sample by clicking here

The minute we’re in the car, my 3-year-old starts asking me to put in the disc, saying “Play it from the beginning!” I love that he’ll always consider Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s “Is Zat You Santa Claus?” as as much of a Christmas classic as “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”

You can hear sample tracks of A Family Christmas or purchase the CD at Putumayo World Music or at Putumayo Kids (where you can also download a free mp3 from A Family Christmas).

Putumayo’s “A Family Christmas” will lift your mood, no matter how stressed you are this season. Enjoy!

Kelig Neal!

Congratulations. Kelig wins a free Kindermusik semester of classes for her baby.

Kindermusik  has three new parent-and-me music classes starting this month at three locations – Mondays in the Sandfly area, Tuesdays on Wilmington Island and Saturdays on the Southside. The classes run November through January 2010.  

To register for Kindermusik, visit the Coastal Empire Savannah Kindermusik Web site and click on the Kindermusik for Ages 0-7 button. Or call 912.728.KEYS (5397)

Click here more information.

Check out Kindermusik’s sister site 88 Keys, for piano tuning, piano service, sales/rentals, even piano moving. The family-owned business also buys, sells and RENTS pianos. You can rent a spinet piano for $1 per day. That’s right  -$30 a month for a piano. For more info, click here or call 912.728.KEYS.

This week, a lucky SouthernMamas reader will win a free Kindermusik semester of classes for her baby.

Kindermusik  has three new parent-and-me music classes starting this month at three locations – Mondays in the Sandfly area, Tuesdays on Wilmington Island and Saturdays on the Southside.

These particular classes in the giveaway are open to babies ages newborn to 20 months, although Kindermusik has classes for ages 0 to 7. This week’s giveaway is for one of the three 0-20 mth. old classes, which start in November and run through January 2010. It can only be used for one of those sessions and can’t be redeemed for cash.  A minimum of five children are required for each class.

Children and parents in the class will move, fly and dance with an exciting curriculum called ‘DoSiDo’. The value of the giveaway is $104, which is the cost for the class and includes tuition through January 2010 and home materials. Find out more here.  

Check out the rules below to enter to win:

Don’t want to wait for the giveaway to register for Kindermusik? Enrollment is limited, so sign up soon. For exact details on times and dates or to enroll online TODAY, visit the Coastal Empire Savannah Kindermusik Web site and click on the Kindermusik for Ages 0-7 button. Or call 912.728.KEYS (5397)

A Kindermusik session makes a great  gift. Kindermusik “gift certificates” are available for a semester of classes. Click here more information.

Check out Kindermusik’s sister site 88 Keys, for piano tuning, piano service, sales/rentals, even piano moving. The family-owned business also buys, sells and RENTS pianos. You can rent a spinet piano for $1 per day. That’s right $30 a month for a piano. For more info, click here or call 912.728.KEYS.

Make A Joyful Noise early childhood music classes has a new class:  “Altogether Now: Twist & Turn”  for babies to 5 year olds

Think singing, dancing, and instrument playing, listening and imaginative play.  The unique Music for Movement compositions on the CDs will enable children to explore walking and jumping (Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack jump over the candlestick), twisting and turning and many more concepts which are just right for your movers and shakers.

Attend the Make A Joyful Noise FREE preview class 10:15 AM Mon. Oct. 26 on the campus of Savannah Country Day School: Modular Village E2

Home materials include a CD and songbook, as well as a different manipulative each semester (i.e. rhythm sticks, beanbag, etc.), allowing the learning and fun to continue at home.

10 Mondays (Nov. 2, 2009 – Jan. 25, 2010; No Class December 21, 28 or Jan 18)
10:15 – 10:55 a.m.
$120 Tuition & $24 for Home Materials.

Mention SouthernMamas and receive a discount of $5 if registering before the 26th or at the Free Preview Class.

Contact Vicki to pre-register for the free preview class. 912-920-6542 or email MakeAJoyfulNoiseMusicStudio@comcast.net. Click here for more info.

In this new class, opportunity abounds for exploration and interaction with babies and movement for toddlers, while three year-olds and older will learn language skills and use their imaginations in fun new ways. This is a great opportunity for families with siblings in different age groups to make music together.

Learning to play a musical instrument can bring great joy and endless hours of pleasure to a child, but research shows its benefits go far beyond the enjoyment factor.

Musical instruction instills in students the habits of mind that last a lifetime: critical analysis skills, the ability to solve problems and deal with ambiguity, perseverance and the drive for excellence. In short, skills for a classroom and for a lifetime.

Kelly Burke of Burke Music Studio in Savannah has been developing those skills among young people in Savannah for over 25 years as both a violin and piano teacher and a private school administrator.

“I had wonderful teachers who understood the importance of combining classical training with lots of opportunities for playing fun, popular music that I recognized and loved,” says Kelly. She uses this same approach with her students to keep them motivated and develop self confidence. Whether dressing up in costumes for a Halloween Master class or playing Christmas songs in a candlelight recital in Bethesda’s Chapel, students have many opportunities to perform, have fun and form friendships with other student/musicians.

Kelly enjoys teaching girls and boys, but as a long-time principal of boys’ schools, she has a special appreciation for working with young men. “It can be difficult to find a teacher who understands boys’ unique attributes and channel that into good music-making.”

In addition to teaching school-age boys and girls, Kelly often works with teenagers, particularly those who are currently attending or are interested in attending a magnet academy. Many of her seniors prepare a recording of their playing to include with their college applications, even if they are not pursuing a degree in music. “Giving evidence of the ability to play a musical instrument demonstrates to college admissions offices that a student has self-discipline, motivation, and a creative nature. This sets their application apart.”

To get your child started on the road to the many benefits of musical instruction visit Burke Music Studio by clicking here or call 912.398.7280.

Time to start indoctrinating your kids with your love for all things Star Wars.

Star Wars: In Concert – a multi-media event featuring music from all six of John Williams’ epic Star Wars scores – will play 7:30 PM Oct. 29 at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.

Tickets for the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena go on sale Fri. Sept 25 at 10 a.m. (tommorrow!) at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena box office, by phone at (800) 745-3000, and online here.

Narrated live by the actor who portrayed C-3PO in all six films, the production features a full symphony orchestra and choir, accompanied by specially edited footage from the films displayed on a three-story-tall, high-definition LED super-screen.

Accompanying the concert is an exhibit of Star Wars costumes, props, artifacts, production artwork and specially created behind-the-scenes videos from the Lucasfilm Archives.

Kindermusik has added a new children’s music class to the fall schedule because of a large demand.

The additional class – for ages 18 months to 3.5 years – will be at 11:10 on Mondays at Marshview Senior Living, 7410 Skidaway Road. The class was added because the 10:20 AM class for that age group was full.

There are still spaces left in the Tuesday Wilmington Island class (9:30am) and Saturday’s Southside class (10:20am).

Online registration is available NOW for this new class, that begins next week Sept 21.

Kindermusik offers parent-and-me classes for children ages 0-7. Classes will run for 15 weeks and go through late January.

For more info, click here or call Marina Lindblom
at 912.728.KEYS (5397). Don’t forget to tell them SouthernMamas sent you!

Kindermusik parent-and-me classes are a perfect way to spend time with your child and spark your little one’s  interest in music.

Fall classes are available for children ages 0-7.

To register online, visit the local Kindermusik Web site here. For more info, email music@instrumentalinks.com or call 912.728-KEYS (5397)

All classes are limited to a certain number of children. Many fill up quickly, so register today. Please email this post your friends, family, neighbors and Moms’ groups.

All classes begin the week after Labor Day, with Monday classes beginning September 14. Classes will run for 15 weeks and go through late January.

Classes will be offered Monday mornings in Savannah (Sandfly area), Tuesday mornings on Wilmington Island and Saturday mornings in Savannah (Southside). For those who have interest in Wednesday classes at the Landings, or Wednesday classes in Richmond Hill, please email email music@instrumentalinks.com asap. A certain number of interested families are needed in order to hold classes there.

Kindermusik will also be offering a preschool class (ages 3-5) 11:10am Mondays.

Here are some brief descriptions of the fall curricula:

Kindermusik Village (ages 0-20 months) “feathers” and “dosido”:

• Feathers — The musical poems of Woody Guthrie, bird songs, and the naturally occurring sounds in nature help babies develop an early appreciation and accelerated aptitude for language, movement, and music in this class.  Home Materials: CD with over 25 specially-selected recordings from class, Kindermusik chimeball, a colorful picture book of birds. Feathers, and a set of Art Banners for the nursery wall that strengthens vision and promotes early literacy.
• Do-Si-Do — Pick up your baby and dance. Dance the Charleston, the Tango, and the Cha-Cha and learn why dancing with your baby helps develop vital learning skills from head-to-toe. In this class, play a variety of baby appropriate instruments, a dance with fun props. Home Materials: CD with songs from class, an instrument Kindermusik eggshaker and scarf, a picture board book Do-Si-Do with lilting move-to-it rhyming text, and a set of Art Banners for the nursery wall that strengthens vision and promotes early literacy.

Kindermusik Our Time (ages 18 months to 3.5 years)

• Wiggles & Giggles — The more than 30 songs, 15 dances, and eight different instruments create these unique music activities, designed to reflect the importance of movement in the life of a toddler.  Home Materials: Double CD features 50 songs, sounds, and recordings of favorite activities from class; two story books:Watch Me! and Pete and P.J., to develop early literacy skills; Home Activity Book; and specially-made pair of zigzag blocks instrument to develop rhythm and hand-eye coordination-all conveniently stored in a Wiggles & Giggles carry bag.

Kindermusik Imagine That! (ages 3-5 years)

• See What I Saw — In this class, preschoolers use their real experience of playing in the park to create imaginative, storytelling scenarios with music?go on an imaginary trip to Grasshopper Park where they sail down the park slide and then recreate the sound of that experience with a loooong vocal glissando. Each week provides preschoolers one uninterrupted session of imaginative play that’s guided in a very specific, sequential way with a special sharing time with parents in the last 15 minutes of class. Home Materials: Two books: Can You Find Me? and The Ant Picnic Feast, Two Home CDs, See What I Saw Play Set, a Family Activity Book, a slide whistle instrument, a slide whistle and lumi sticks instruments, and a backpack.

 Kindermusik in Savannah is a sponsor SouthernMamas

Your idea of music (twirling to Tchaikovsky, moving to Mozart) isn’t quite the same as your little one’s (using the toy piano as a tap dance stage).

Get everyone in perfect harmony with Make A Joyful Noise early childhood music classes. Think singing, dancing, and instrument playing, plus activities that improve motor skills and rhythm.

Attend the Make A Joyful Noise open house Sat. Aug. 8 for a free preview of a class (babies to 6 years) at 10:30 AM as well as drawings for FREE CLASSES; and an 11:30 AM audition for the Sounds of Praise Children’s Choir

Contact Vicki to pre-register for the preview class. 912-920-6542. Click here for more info.

The Savannah Children’s Choir will present a free, End-of-Camp concert 7 PM Fri. July 31 in the Jelks Auditorium at Savannah Country Day School.  The concert is free and open to the public.

The event is the culmination of a two-week Summer Choral Camp program, now in its fourth year. This year’s theme is “Rhythm”, and daily classes in music history, sight singing, composition  and percussion reinforced the campers’ abilities to read and understand rhythmic concepts in music.

Camp instructors include interns from top music educational colleges such as Florida State and the University of Georgia along with professionals in the field, assisted by local high school interns. 

The concert will feature music the children have learned and will also debut music some of the kids have composed, performed by professional artists. For more info, click here or call 912. 228.4758.

Registrations for the summer session of Make A Joyful Noise music programs are under way.

Mention SouthernMamas to receive a 10 percent discount. You’ll find sessions for toddlers to teens. Classes run July 2 – August 8 and include:

Music for Toddlers: 18m – 3 year olds
Cycle of Seasons/Twist & Turn: 3 – 5 year olds
Music Makers: 5 – 7 year olds
Sounds of Praise: Intro to Choir 7 – 15 yr olds
Sounds of Praise Choral Camp: August 3 – 7; 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. 7 – 15 yr olds

Audition for Sounds of Praise Children’s Choir’s 2009-2010 Season.  Contact Vicki to schedule the audition by August 3. The season begins September 10.

The classes and choir audtitions are @ White Bluff Presbyterian Church, 10710 White Bluff Road on Savannah’s Southside.

To find out more about summer class times and to register, click here.Contact Vicki @ MakeAJoyfulNoiseMusicStudio@comcast.net or call 912.920.6542.

Vicki Mills, who has a masters in vocal performance and more than 20 years of experience teaching children, offers the Make A Joyful Noise early childhood music program and  Sounds of Praise Children’s Choir.

OK, so the annual free summer concerts in Savannah’s city squares don’t actually include children’s music.
But the live concerts are a fun way to expose your kids to some of Savannah’s finest musicians.

Sixteen concerts are planned from this Wed. June 3 through July 31. Concerts are @ 11:30 AM on Wednesdays and Fridays and will alternate between Johnson and Wright Squares.

The concert series is being produced by the New Arts Ensembles (NAE), a Savannah-based group that showcases some of the region’s finest musicians.

The series kicks off on this Wed. June 3 with modern jazz group Silver Lining in Johnson Square.

Concerts are free and open to the public.
For more, 912-651-6417 or click here.

2009 Summer Concerts in the Squares Schedule

June 3, 2009: Silver Lining in Johnson Square (Modern jazz)
June 5, 2009: Roger Moss with Eric Jones in Johnson Square (Mercer standards)
June 10, 2009: The Jimmy Wolling Band in Wright Square (bluegrass)
June 12, 2009: Gina René Quartet in Wright Square (Jazz)
June 17, 2009: Claire Frazier in Johnson Square (Jazz)
June 19, 2009: Doug Carn and Marielouise in Johnson Square (Jazz)
June 24, 2009: Claire Frazier in Wright Square (Jazz)
June 26, 2009 Bottles ‘n Cans in Wright Square (Blues)
July 8, 2009: Silver Lining in Johnson Square (modern jazz)
July 10, 2009: The Jimmy Wolling Band in Johnson Square (bluegrass)
July 15, 2009: Lolintar Trio in Wright Square (Latin Jazz)
July 17, 2009: Bottles ‘n Cans in Wright Square (Blues)
July 22, 2009: Roger Moss with Eric Jones in Johnson Square (Mercer standards)
July 24, 2009: Gina René Quartet in Johnson Square (Jazz)
July 29, 2009: Lolintar Trio in Wright Square (Latin Jazz)
July 31, 2009: Doug Carn and Marielouise in Wright Square (Jazz)

Savannah’s “MusicAlive!” string quintet will have FREE music programs for children starting next week (June 8)  @ branches of the Live Oak Public Libraries. Children will learn about the musical genius of Johnny Mercer and his music.

The musicians will also present a segment on songwriting.

My toddler’s attended a coupleMusicAlive! performances and afterwards there’s often a string instrument “petting zoo” when children are allowed to touch the instruments.

The FREE performances are recommended for children of all ages. Here’s the schedule for the MusicAlive! events:

11 AM Mon, June 8 @ W.W. Law Branch Library
4 PM Mon., June 8 @ Oglethorpe Mall Branch Library
6 PM Mon,, June 8 @ Islands Branch Library
10:30 AM Tues., June 9 @ Port City Branch Library
1 PM Tues. June 9 @ South Effingham Branch Library
4 PM Tues. June 9 @ Kayton Branch Library
10:30 AM Wed. June 10 @ West Chatham Branch Library
2:30 PM Wed. June 10 @ Tybee Branch Library
4 PM Wed. June 10 @ Ogeechee Branch Library
10: 30 AM Thurs. June 11 @ Bull Street Branch Library
3 PM Thurs. June 11 @ Midway Branch Library
6 PM Thurs., June 11 @ Liberty Branch Library
10:30 AM Fri., June 12 @ Effingham Branch Library
3 PM Fri. June 12 @ Hitch Branch Library
5 PM Fri. June 12 @ West Chatham Branch Library

Contact your local branch for more information

OK. Here’s our chance to spark our kids’ interest in playing a string instrument.

Savannah’s “MusicAlive!” string quintet will have classical music programs for children next month @ branches of the Live Oak Public Libraries. Children will learn about the musical genius of Amadeus Mozart and his music.

There will also be a string instrument “petting zoo” after the program when children will be allowed to touch the instruments.

The FREE performances are recommended for children of all ages. Here’s the schedule for the MusicAlive! events:

Tues., Oct. 14, 10 a.m. @ West Chatham Branch Library
Tues., Oct. 14, 4 p.m. @ Islands Branch Library
Wed., Oct. 15, 10 a.m. @ WW Law Branch Library
Wed., Oct. 15, 4 p.m. @ Oglethorpe Mall Branch Library

Call your local branch for more info. Click here for branch phone numbers and addresses. Sponsored by Live Oak Public Libraries Foundation and the Savannah Friends of Music.

Registration begins Wednesday (Sept. 24) for for the Baby Programs @ the Hilton Head Branch Library.

Beth Green, dubbed the “Music Lady,” will present the programs for babies ages newborn to 6 months @ 11 am on Sat. Oct. 11, 25 and Nov. 1. The fourth program will be @ 12:30 pm Sat., Nov 8.

Please bring a blanket for your little one. Each class explores parental-musical bonding, baby sign, certified infant massage techniques choreographed to music, and musical stimulus and response activities. Each class will be different.

Register for each session in person, by phone @ 843.342.9200 or by emailing jmorgan@bcgov.net.

Hilton Head Branch Library also offers a regular Do-Drop-In storytime @ 10 am every Saturday in the library’s indoor amphitheater. For children of all ages.

Stories, songs, silliness, take-home ideas and more. Residents and visitors are welcome.

Prepare to experience your first Wiggles mosh pit.

Join The Wiggles, Captain Feathersword, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Henry the Octopus, Wags the Dog as part of the new all-live concert tour sponsored by Toys R Us.

“Pop Go The Wiggles Live” takes place at 6:30 pm Nov. 18 @ the Savannah Civic Center. Tickets for the show go on sale to the general public starting at 10 am Oct. 10. Cost ranges from $18-$38. Order tickets online by clicking here or call 912.651.6556 or 800.351.7469.

Other kid-friendly shows coming to the Savannah Civic Center include:

• Disney Live! Winnie the Pooh, Live On Stage, 2 pm & 5 pm Oct. 5
• Disney on Ice: Mickey& Minnie’s Magical Journey, 7 shows Nov. 5-9

Click here for showtimes and more info.

Bang your drum, shake your tambourine, sing and dance with your child at one of the Kindermusik classes that start next week in Savannah, Richmond Hill, Wilmington Island, The Landings and Rincon.

There’s still time to sign up for this early childhood music program. Registration includes your own Kindermusik CD so you can continue the dancing at home.

Attention work-outside-the-home SouthernMamas who have difficulty finding weekend mommy-and-me activities: Saturday Kindermusik sessions will be offered in Savannah, starting Sept. 20!

Kindermusik classes are available for children ages 0 to 7. Classes are divided by age including the “Zoom Buggy and Dream Pillow” class for ages 0-20 months; “Milk and Cookies” for ages 18 months to 3.5 years; “Hello Weather, Let’s Play Together” for ages 3 to 5; and Family Time classes for newborns to 7 year-olds and the whole family.

Kindermusik also has a baby sign language class, “Sign and Sing,” for hearing children ages 6 months to 36 months and their parents. You and your child will learn over 150 signs to help you communicate.

Browse the local Kindermusik Web site and register for the Fall’08 session. Be sure to tell them SouthernMamas sent you!

Learn about a new early childhood music program @ an open house, 5-7 pm. Thurs. Sept. 4 @ Trinity Lutheran Church, 12391 Mercy Blvd. on Savannah’s southside.

Vicki Mills, who has a masters in vocal performance and more than 20 years of experience teaching children, offers early childhood music for ages newborn to 8. Classes begin Sept. 25 and are held Thursday @ Trinity Lutheran Church.

At the open house, you will be able to experience a FREE demo class @ 5:30 pm. Come dressed to move with your newborn to 5-year-old. There will also be drawings every half hour of instruments, CDs and reduced tuition. Those who register @ the open house receive 10 percent off tuition.

To find out more about class times, contact Vicki @ MakeAJoyfulNoiseMusicStudio@comcast.net or call 912.920.6542.

Time to register for fall Kindermusik sessions, which start after Labor Day in Savannah, Richmond Hill, Wilmington Island, The Landings and Rincon.

Attention work-outside-the-home SouthernMamas who have difficulty finding weekend mommy-and-me activities: Saturday Kindermusik sessions will be offered in Savannah, starting Sept. 20!

Kindermusik classes are available for children ages 0 to 7. Classes are divided by age including the “Zoom Buggy and Dream Pillow” class for ages 0-20 months; “Milk and Cookies” for ages 18 months to 3.5 years; “Hello Weather, Let’s Play Together” for ages 3 to 5; and Family Time classes for newborns to 7 year-olds and the whole family.

Kindermusik also has a baby sign language class, “Sign and Sing,” for hearing children ages 6 months to 36 months and their parents. You and your child will learn over 150 signs to help you communicate.

Browse the local Kindermusik Web site and register for the Fall’08 session. Be sure to tell them SouthernMamas sent you!

The Sandbox, an interactive children’s museum on Hilton Head Is., is more than just a fun place to visit with the kids.

The Sandbox also will offer a music enrichment class and dramatic arts class for kids September thru October.

The parent-accompanied classes are taught by Beth Green, a professional children’s music and drama educator, entertainer and children’s choir director known as the Music Lady. The 45-minute classes are from Sept. 2-Oct. 7.
The musical enrichment class, for children 1-3 years old, is 9:30-10:15 am Tuesdays. The dramatic arts class, for children 4-6 years old, is 10:30-11:15 am Tuesdays.

Each class is $25 per child for the six-week sessions. Family rates are available when registering three or more children. Registration is required and space is limited. 843.842.7645