AN INTRODUCTION AND EXPLORATION OF CLASSICAL MUSIC FOR KINDERGARTEN TO 5TH GRADE

 

For our youngest Cliburn friends! Cliburn Kids is a (growing!) collection of wonderfully entertaining 7- to 10-minute videos designed to introduce children to the fun of classical music. How does music paint pictures, tell stories, express feelings? Host Buddy Bray and guest artists use individual pieces to explore topics that delve into the way music is organized and structured, counting and rhythm, expressive elements, and sometimes just lighthearted enjoyment!

Programs are geared towards elementary-aged children, and activities are provided for each episode that are perfect for in-classroom or at-home studies. More than 50 episodes are currently available by clicking through the scroller, or exploring the categories, below. Each episode page has links to the supplemental activities, as well as TEKS objectives for each.

Cliburn Kids programs are based on Cliburn in the Classroom curriculum, written by Dr. John Feierabend and Buddy Bray.
Learn more about Buddy Bray here.

WATCH THE LATEST EPISODES NOW

"STAND BY ME"

Play along with our new friends Charles and Peter as they perform a classic hit – with a surprise!

featuring KING “Stand By Me”

VIRTUOSO VARIATIONS

Do you recognize the tune in this episode? Buddy and friends show us some special techniques that can make familiar songs sound like something new! 

featuring VIEUXTEMPS Souvenir d’Amérique, Variations on “Yankee Doodle”

AQUARIUM

What does a piano sound like underwater? Can the piano imitate fish and sea creatures? Find out more in this episode!

featuring SAINT-SAËNS “Aquarium” from Carnival of the Animals.

PATTERN PLAY: THE RONDO

This episode is a musical matching game! See if you can spot the repeated tune as we explore rondo form.

featuring BACH Rondo from Partita No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 826

MUSICAL TOPICS

Browse videos by the categories below.

LESSON PLANS

All video episodes include supplemental class and individual activities. Search for lesson plans incorporating specific subject areas using the tabs below. Click through to view full lesson plans, including the video and activities, each coded with TEKS objectives.

Stand By Me

Stand By Me

Virtuoso Variations

Virtuoso Variations

Aquarium

Aquarium

Pattern Play: The Rondo

Pattern Play: The Rondo

Dance of the Elves

Dance of the Elves

Elephants and Reindeer and Basses, Oh My!

Elephants and Reindeer and Basses, Oh My!

Meet Pianist Kenny Broberg

Meet Pianist Kenny Broberg

Pianos and Harps, pt. 2

Pianos and Harps, pt. 2

Fun with Fiddles

Fun with Fiddles

Pianos and Harps, pt. 1

Pianos and Harps, pt. 1

Pattern Play

Pattern Play

Playing with Numbers: In 6

Playing with Numbers: In 6

Musical Opposites: Tempo and Dynamics

Musical Opposites: Tempo and Dynamics

The Chicken

The Chicken

Do Re Mi

Do Re Mi

Musical Opposites: Pitch

Musical Opposites: Pitch

Playing with Numbers: In 9

Playing with Numbers: In 9

Perpetual Motion

Perpetual Motion

The Sunken Cathedral

The Sunken Cathedral

Building Blocks

Building Blocks

Pianos and Guitars

Pianos and Guitars

Dancing Snow

Dancing Snow

Sleigh Ride

Sleigh Ride

Humor in Music

Humor in Music

The Piano Takes Flight: Insects

The Piano Takes Flight: Insects

The Piano Takes Flight: Birds & Butterflies

The Piano Takes Flight: Birds & Butterflies

Night Sounds

Night Sounds

My Country ‘Tis of Thee, pt. 2

My Country ‘Tis of Thee, pt. 2

My Country ‘Tis of Thee, pt. 1

My Country ‘Tis of Thee, pt. 1

Many Meters: Feeling Five

Many Meters: Feeling Five

Many Meters: Dances

Many Meters: Dances

Two Puppets

Two Puppets

PB&J

PB&J

Lime Jello

Lime Jello

Counting Game

Counting Game

Pictures You Can Hear: Musical Conversation

Pictures You Can Hear: Musical Conversation

Pictures You Can Hear: The Great Gate

Pictures You Can Hear: The Great Gate

Pictures You Can Hear: Baby Chicks

Pictures You Can Hear: Baby Chicks

Pictures You Can Hear: Gnomes

Pictures You Can Hear: Gnomes

Piano Gymnastics: Counting Challenge

Piano Gymnastics: Counting Challenge

Piano Gymnastics: Finger Workout

Piano Gymnastics: Finger Workout

Piano Gymnastics: Black Keys

Piano Gymnastics: Black Keys

Lenny and Lukas

Lenny and Lukas

How Many Hands: Trio

How Many Hands: Trio

Singing Game

Singing Game

Rabbit at Top Speed

Rabbit at Top Speed

How Many Hands: Racing Donkeys

How Many Hands: Racing Donkeys

How Many Hands: A Fairy Tale

How Many Hands: A Fairy Tale

Footsteps in the Snow

Footsteps in the Snow

The Little White Donkey

The Little White Donkey

How Many Hands: One or Two?

How Many Hands: One or Two?

The Cat and the Mouse

The Cat and the Mouse

In Five

In Five

Back It Up!

Back It Up!

Starts with a B: A-B-A

Starts with a B: A-B-A

Starts with a B: Rhythm Game

Starts with a B: Rhythm Game

Pictures You Can Hear: Playground

Pictures You Can Hear: Playground

Listening Game: Fugue

Listening Game: Fugue

Pictures You Can Hear: Circus

Pictures You Can Hear: Circus

Pictures You Can Hear: Oxcart

Pictures You Can Hear: Oxcart

DONATE TO CLIBURN KIDS

Cliburn Kids helps to fulfill the Cliburn’s mission of advancing classical piano music worldwide and Van Cliburn’s vision of sharing music with everyone. If you would like to help support the production of these Cliburn Kids programs, please donate by:

  1. Mail—send a check to The Cliburn at 201 Main Street, Suite 100, Fort Worth, TX, 76102
  2. Online—by clicking here
  3. Text— CliburnKids to 44-321

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