Pine Brook Author Gets Gold Award for Music Book

A Pine Brook author recently received an award and has a musical event coming up next week.

Claudia B. Lemmerz wrote and published “My Book about Musical Instruments” in 2011 and this past November, her book was awarded the Gold Medal for the Moonbeam Children’s Book Spirit Award.

Lemmerz—a Early Childhood Music Educator and Educational Consultant—is the founder and director of Touch the Music, a music program that gives children an opportunity use and explore instruments.

On Saturday, Feb. 8, the New Jersey Symphony Family Concert series will present the Gretchen Lochner Gonzales Memorial Family Concert at 2 p.m. and just before the event, there will be a Pre-Concert Adventure with Touch the Music starting at 1 p.m. The concert will be at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. For tickets go to www.NJsymphony.org.

In 2013, the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards chose three books in three different areas and all recipients received gold medals. Lemmerz’s book received the Moonbeam Spirit Awards for the music category.

Her book “presents a one of a kind introduction to the world of musical instruments for children of all ages. Filled with photos of children making music, this book will make anyone want to try an instrument. Young preschool aged children will relate to the over 100 photos in this book. Young elementary school readers will learn important facts. Simple explanations for each instrument are child comprehendible as well as informative for adults. Printed in 3 languages side by side, English, Spanish and German, this multi-lingual book can be shared by readers and music lovers across generations,” said Lemmerz.

“The awards are intended to bring increased recognition to exemplary children’s books and their creators, and to celebrate children’s books and life-long reading,” according to the Moonbeam organization. 

With “Touch the Music” Lemmerz brings real orchestral instruments into preschools and elementary schools to give children and students the opportunity to try different kinds of instruments.

“Touch the Music” participates regularly in the Pre-Concert Adventure of the New Jersey Symphony Family Concerts at NJPAC in Newark. “Touch the Music“ Family and Community events throughout New Jersey grow the awareness on how important early music education is for the overall development of young children, according to Lemmerz.

For more information and to purchase “My Book about Musical Instruments” for a special celebration price, visit www.TouchtheMusic.us