First!: CD Kit (Book & CD)

This songbook delivers genuine educational content without sacrificing musical engagement. Albrecht pairs memorable melodies with profiles of historical inventors and achievers, creating natural opportunities for cross-curricular connection while keeping the focus firmly on singing and ensemble experience rather than lecture.

The songs celebrate human achievement and innovation with warmth and accessible melodies. Unison writing keeps the focus on clear text delivery and storytelling, while the variety of subjects ensures each piece feels fresh and offers something new to discover.

This collection works beautifully for elementary choirs and general music classes in grades 3 and up, where teachers want to combine singing with authentic learning. It is also ideal for young performers who are ready to carry a full concert program but benefit from material rooted in relatable, inspiring stories.

• Use the recorded accompaniments to establish steady tempos and harmonic clarity during initial rehearsals, then gradually transition to piano or accompaniment-free singing as students internalize their parts.
• Read through the profile pages before introducing each song so you can share a brief story with your students. Personal details about the subjects often spark genuine curiosity and deeper engagement with the lyrics.
• Take advantage of the unison voicing by rotating song leadership among different students; this builds confidence and creates natural performance variety across the 45-minute program.
• Honor the chord symbols by having an instrumentalist (piano, guitar, or ukulele) accompany rehearsals. This reinforces harmonic thinking and gives students a richer sonic experience than voice alone.

Program this as a complete 45-minute children's concert, letting each song stand as a window into a different inventor or achiever. Alternatively, select individual songs to weave through a school assembly or interdisciplinary unit, pairing music with classroom studies in history, science, or social studies.

• Reading and performing unison melodies with clear diction
• Understanding rhythm and phrasing within song-story contexts
• Building confidence in ensemble singing through accessible, grade-appropriate material
• Making connections between music and historical or scientific subjects
• Interpreting and conveying character through vocal expression