The Story of the Orchestra: Listen While You Learn About the Instruments, the Music and the Composers Who Wrote the Music

Eye-catching illustrations and an accompanying 70-minute CD make this an exciting and educational introduction to the world of classical music-from composers and music history to the instruments of the orchestra-for elementary age children (and parents, too!).



Illustrated in exquisite and colorful detail with over 100 original drawings and photographs, the engaging text is broken into three sections:

• An introduction to each instrument of the orchestra from the cello to the timpani
• The stories of famous composers from Bach to Stravinsky.
• An explanation of different musical styles from Baroque to Modern.

Each step of the way, children can listen to actual musical examples of what they are learning about. Young readers will hear the sound of an actual violin as they study the instrument and enjoy the playful tune of a Mozart minuet as they read about the composer's precocious exploits as a child.

Join Orchestra Bob on this fun and exciting musical journey. Perfect for young students just starting to play an orchestral instrument as well as for parents and teachers looking for a simple introduction to the principles and history of classical music.

Meredith Hamilton graduated from Brown University and has an MFA from the School of Visual Arts. Formerly an art director at Newsweek and Time, she illustrated the previous six books in the Child's Introduction series, among other books, and her work can be found in magazines and animations as well. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and three children.

Author Robert Levine is an internationally known music and travel writer whose work has appeared in dozens of publications. He was the co-editor of Records' Classical Pulse! Magazine, helped launch and was the Senior Editor-in-chief of Andante.com, a world wide web site devoted to every aspect of classical music and musicians. He attends his operas and symphonies in New York.