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Platinum-Selling Classical Kids Releases First New Album In 20 Years 'Gershwin's Magic Key'

Platinum-Selling Classical Kids Releases First New Album In 20 Years 'Gershwin's Magic Key'
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In work Billboard lauds as “one of the most completely wondrous examples of children’s entertainment… ever,” multi-award winning and Platinum selling non-profit Classical Kids LIVE! present their newest studio recording, Gershwin’s Magic Key—available now!

It’s ‘Extra, extra! Read all about it!’ as audiences step into the streets of 1920s New York as a newspaper boy has a chance encounter with the famous composer, George Gershwin.

From there, the musical masterpieces of one of America’s greatest composers are magically woven into a 50-minute story as the two actors explore the sights and sounds of the city—sharing anecdotes and observations based on true incidents from the composer’s extraordinary life along the way.

To be filed under history, drama, music, and fun, Gershwin’s Magic Key is the first-ever educationally entertaining musical story that introduces children to his life’s work, and is endorsed by the Gershwin Family Interests and supported by the National Endowment for the Arts. The robust production features the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras, and premiered with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Most famous for Beethoven Lives Upstairs, the Toronto-created, Chicago-based non-profit Classical Kids Music Education is internationally acclaimed by parents and educators alike for their unique series introducing young listeners to Classical music through inventive storytelling.

With a dedicated mission to enrich the lives of children through an exciting and educational point of entry to the genre, the group ensures their shows are available to schools wherever they play— including up to 30 orchestras across North America, and International trips on alternating years; as of now, they’re slated to visit Malaysia and Hong Kong in 2022.

The organization also hosts workshops in the Chicago area for schools—which, as it happens, is how they managed to complete the recording of Gershwin’s Magic Key prior to COVID-19 restrictions pressing pause on their tour schedule.

Entertainment Weekly calls Classical Kids LIVE! “art made accessible; nobody does it better than Classical Kids!” and nowhere does this resonate more than Gershwin’s Magic Key and other Classical Kids LIVE! releases’ availability through local public libraries for digital lending in addition to traditional sales. Incidentally, sales of Gershwin’s Magic Key will assist in keeping the philanthropic organization stable through the remainder of pandemic-related touring restrictions.

First launched in 1999, the Classical Kids Series is a platinum-selling and award-winning series proven effective at creating awareness and appreciation for Classical music among new generations.

The Classical Kids Series has won an unprecedented six JUNO Awards for Best Children’s Recording, a Billboard International Achievement Award, Parent’s Choice Awards, iParenting Media Awards, American Library Association Notable Children’s Recording Award, National Parenting Publications Award, Dove Foundation Family Approved Seal, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Awards, and more.

Additional productions include Beethoven Lives Upstairs, Mozart’s Magnificent Voyage, Tchaikovsky Discovers America, Vivaldi’s Ring of Mystery, Hallelujah Handel, and Christmas on Main Street.

Gershwin’s Magic Key is available now!

Visit Website | Purchase

Track Listing

Tin Pan Newsboy; THE George Gershwin; Find Your Key; Mind of a Composer; The American Chorus; Voice of the American Soul; Music Unites Us All; A Composer's Best Friend; Show Em What We Got; Musical Kaleidoscope of American; The Title Comes Last.

Personnel

Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras
band / ensemble / orchestra

Album information

Title: Gershwin's Magic Key | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: Classical Kids LIVE!


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