Unicorn Crossing, a new children’s release from local music teacher “Angel” Pam West and Friends, was awarded a prestigious 2012 Parents’ Choice Recommended Award as a top audio product for children, placing it among the very best that entertain and teach with flair, stimulate imagination and inspire creativity.
Parents’ Choice Foundation has been reviewing and recommending quality children’s media for more than 33 years. The awards are determined by a panel of educators, scientists, artists, librarians, parents, and kids and they are designed to provide parents reliable, unbiased information about quality products.
Artist and Director of The Community Music and Arts Network, Pamela West-Finkle (Angel Pam West), said “We’re very honored to receive the award. Seven years of hard work went into the album and I’m so grateful to my family, friends, and the wonderful Catskill Mountain school children who contributed.” The album also features the talents of West’s husband, Theodore Finkle, as well as Fred Harris (Aleph & Co, Delhi), Henry Herman (fiddler for the Catskill Mountain Boys), and Jersey Shore guitarist, Matthew Curran. Local students of West, as well as her niece, Luca Rowe, nephew, Lane Rowe and three youngest daughters (Akasha, Sage, and Denali) also sang in children’s choirs that accompany five of the songs.
Parents’ Choice President, Claire Green wrote:
“Pamela West grew up on a farm, believed in unicorns, raced frogs and was mesmerized by fireflies. This childhood formed the foundation for Unicorn Crossing, her long-in-the-making collection of songs. Each song has a back-story. Her allergy to furry pets inspired "Amphibian Amore." She also shares the story of a sheep that preferred the company of cows in "Lily the Unique Ewe", and she introduces listeners to Pumpkin, the Border Collie who had pet rocks. Yes, the stories about love, imagination, differences, and the lyrics they inspired are fun, and the tunes are singable. But what comes shining through most of all is that this talented group really enjoys playing and singing together. And that, fellow listeners, is not a bad way to produce a CD.”
Parents’ Choice Awards Committees identify the very best products for children of different ages and backgrounds, and of varied skill and interest levels. The Parents’ Choice Awards® program has established the benchmarks of achievement in children’s media. Approximately 20% of those items submitted to the Parents’ Choice Awards™ program receive a commendation in one of the six award levels: Classic, Gold, Silver, Recommended, Approved, and Fun Stuff, underscoring the influential and celebrated achievement of being honored with a commendation from the Parents’ Choice Awards program.
Since 1978, Parents’ Choice has been reviewing and recommending quality children’s media and toys. To learn more about Parents’ Choice, visit http://www.Parents-Choice.org.
Unicorn Crossing is available at CD Baby.com, and on Amazon.com and iTunes. To purchase the CD directly, go to www.cdbaby.com/angelpamwest. A portion of the proceeds from the album will go to benefit all ages, all access community music programs and educational products.
The Community Music & Arts Network is an all ages, all access community music center, offering early childhood Music Together® parent/child and preschool classes, after school music programs, private lessons in voice, piano, woodwinds, guitar, drums, theory, songwriting, and music competency, community music facilitation, and a summer jam camp for ages 8 - 18. In addition, the organization provides musical outreach services to special needs populations and those residing in economically challenged and geographically isolated areas, as well as arts in education support for local school districts, home schooled, and preschool students.
For more information, email FunMusic4Kids@aol.com, call 607-652-2330, 607-441-8448, or visit our website at www.communitymusicnetwork.com.
