Music for Little Mozarts: Plush Toy -- Elgar E. Elephant Cover Image

Music for Little Mozarts: Plush Toy -- Elgar E. Elephant: Piano Plush Toy

$10.99 USD
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Music for Little Mozarts: Plush Toy -- Elgar E. Elephant Cover Image

Music for Little Mozarts: Plush Toy -- Elgar E. Elephant: Piano Plush Toy

By Christine H. Barden, Gayle Kowalchyk, and E. L. Lancaster

Level: 1, 2, 3 & 4

Item: 00-21228

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Description
Elgar E. Elephant is a lovable, overstuffed toy who often encourages Beethoven Bear and Mozart Mouse to "learn something new." He surprised all of his friends one day by playing the trombone! Huggable and wise-beyond-his-years, his bright plaid vest and monocle make him stand out in a crowd. Medium size. Elgar E. Elephant is a replica of the character first introduced in Lesson Book 1. Suggestions are made in the Lesson Book for integrating the animals into the lesson.

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Additional Details
Series: Music for Little Mozarts
Publisher: Alfred Music
UPC: 038081206424
SKU: 00-21228

More about this title

About the Authors

Christine H. Barden
Christine H. Barden is recognized internationally as a leading voice in early childhood music education. She co-developed Alfred's Music for Little Mozarts, the renowned preschool piano method, and maintains a private piano teaching practice in Reno, Nevada. Her students have won numerous awards in piano and composition competitions, and she continues to lead Music for Little Mozarts classes for young learners.

Her musical training includes a degree in piano performance from San Francisco State University, where she studied with Vladimir Brenner, a piano soloist for the NBC Symphony Orchestra. She spent four years in Europe furthering her education through performance and teaching, and became one of the first American teachers to train with Yamaha Music Foundation instructors in Japan. Over 17 years with Yamaha, she served as Director of Curriculum and National Chief Instructor for their music education system.

As a sought-after clinician, Christine regularly conducts workshops for piano teachers at conferences across the United States and internationally in England, Norway, and Singapore. Her published compositions include the Music for Little Mozarts series and several piano pieces, among them "Etude Toccata," which was selected as a National Federation of Music Club's Junior Festival piece.
Gayle Kowalchyk
Dr. Gayle Kowalchyk is a piano instructor and pedagogy specialist at California State University, Northridge, where she teaches class piano and piano pedagogy courses. She earned her bachelor's degree in piano performance from Ohio University, completed graduate studies in piano performance and pedagogy at Northwestern University, and received her Ed.D. in piano pedagogy from Teachers College, Columbia University.

Throughout her career, Dr. Kowalchyk has held faculty positions at Eastern Illinois University, Oklahoma Baptist University, and the University of Oklahoma. She spent four summers teaching class piano and ensemble at the National Music Camp in Interlochen, Michigan. As a clinician and adjudicator, she has presented at major national conferences including those hosted by the Music Teachers National Association, Music Educators National Conference, and the World Piano Pedagogy Conference.

In collaboration with her husband, Dr. E. L. Lancaster, Dr. Kowalchyk has authored more than 300 educational piano publications, among them Alfred's Premier Piano Course and Music for Little Mozarts. From 1981 to 1996, she maintained a private piano studio in Norman, Oklahoma, serving students across all age levels. Currently based in the Los Angeles area, she continues her work as a clinician for Alfred Music.
E. L. Lancaster
Dr. E. L. Lancaster served as Executive Editor for Piano at Alfred Music and currently holds an adjunct piano faculty position at California State University, Northridge. He earned degrees from Murray State University and the University of Illinois, culminating in a Ph.D. from Northwestern University.

During his nineteen years as Professor of Music at the University of Oklahoma (1979–1998), Dr. Lancaster established the institution's master's and doctoral programs in piano pedagogy and mentored more than 50 doctoral candidates. He directed the Piano Pedagogy Laboratory Program, which integrated group and private instruction for pre-college students, and co-operated an independent piano studio with his wife, Dr. Gayle Kowalchyk, from 1981 to 1996. His teaching excellence earned him multiple honors including the Regents Award for Superior Teaching (1984), the David Ross Boyd Professorship (1991), and the Provost's Outstanding Academic Advising Award (1996).

Beyond his academic work, Dr. Lancaster has held significant leadership roles within the music education community, serving as National Chairman of Group Piano and National Conference Chair for MTNA, as well as Chair of the Administration/Pedagogy Liaison Committee for the National Conference on Piano Pedagogy. In 2013, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia recognized him as a Signature Sinfonian, and Murray State University named him a Distinguished Alumnus in 2014.

Why we love this

This plush toy brings the Music for Little Mozarts characters off the page and into tactile, imaginative play. Students form genuine connections with Elgar E. Elephant and his friends, making the lesson book feel less like curriculum and more like time spent with familiar companions who happen to teach music.

What to expect

Elgar E. Elephant embodies curiosity and gentle wisdom. With his monocle and bright plaid vest, he stands ready to cheer on his musical friends, reminding students that learning something new happens one happy moment at a time.

Who it's for

This toy belongs in the hands of Music for Little Mozarts students in levels 1 through 4, as well as in preschool and early elementary piano studios where the series is used. Teachers can place Elgar E. Elephant within arm's reach during lessons to reinforce the character's encouragement and wisdom.

How to get the most out of it

  • Introduce Elgar during the first lesson so students connect the character to their new learning journey from day one.
  • Use the toy as a visual prompt when students encounter Elgar-related activities in their lesson books; let him 'watch' as they master new concepts.
  • Place Elgar on the piano during practice at home to encourage consistent engagement with assignments.

How to use it

Use Elgar E. Elephant as suggested in Music for Little Mozarts Lesson Book 1, where specific activities incorporate the character into lessons. The toy helps younger pianists stay engaged during practice sessions and makes the lesson room feel like a friendly musical community rather than a formal classroom.

Skills your students will build

  • Emotional connection to musical learning and character-driven motivation
  • Willingness to explore new musical concepts through a friendly, relatable presence

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