The S’Cool Sounds Curriculum

The S’Cool Sounds Curriculum focuses on developing strong recorder technique together with ensemble skills, which are advanced through the addition of various percussion instruments. The method was developed by S’Cool Sounds Artistic Director and internationally acclaimed recorder virtuoso, Nina Stern, and was published in 2020.

This beginning curriculum was designed as a 10-week program, with full Lesson Plans consisting of recorder and general music instruction for entire classrooms of children.  Students are taught B, A, and G as foundational notes on the recorder and progress to a full octave later in the program.  Sound production and articulation technique are introduced and then reviewed throughout the curriculum. 

Six original Three-Note Songs, inspired by musical cultures from around the globe, are provided as ensemble performance pieces. The introduction contains beginning percussion instruction as well as ideas for arranging ensemble pieces and for teaching improvisation.

To order “The S’Cool Sounds Curriculum”, please click on the icon below.

Recorders without Borders

In February of 2008 Nina Stern published "Recorders Without Borders" a book of twelve original compositions for recorders and percussion in the styles of traditional music from around the world - intended for use in the school classroom. Volume II, along with its accompanying CD, was published in 2009.

In June of 2010 Nina brought her "Recorders Without Borders" program to students at the Drug Fighters School in the Kibera slum of Nairobi, Kenya. The program continues today in Kibera at the FAFU and Shining Hope Schools and Nina travels there once or twice a year to work with the children and their teachers. 

To order "Recorders Without Borders" from Sweet Pipes, please click on the icons below. 

Recorders Without Borders, Volume I: Nina Stern's innovative book for beginning recorder players and percussion is published by Sweet Pipes. The book contains 12 original compositions in the styles of traditional music from around the world.

Recorders Without Borders, Volume II: Volume II in the Recorders Without Borders series includes 13 traditional tunes from around the world arranged for recorders and percussion. This volume comes with a play-along CD featuring Nina Stern on recorders and Shane Shanahan on percussion.