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Lifelong Listeners Newsletter
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Thanksgiving is a holiday unique to America. In celebration of Thanksgiving, we will be learning about American composer Aaron Copland. Aaron Copland was born in November, which seems appropriate considering that his music often celebrates American ideas, stories, history, and musical traditions. Through musical examples, we will learn about four ways that Copland celebrates America in his music. Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Listening!
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11/20 (Sun.), 4 P.M. (or 2:30P.M.)* - Performance Class This month's performance class will feature Music 101's soprano Alicia DePaolo! Hear Alicia perform and learn about her music. Then, share something you are working on in your lessons.
Please note, the 4P.M. class is full, but we are accepting wait list registration for an additional 2:30 P.M performance. Click
here for registration form.
Enrichment Classes! Have you heard? Music 101 is offering several new enrichment classes this year along with our popular performance classes. Best of all, certain classes are FREE of charge, while others remain at a low cost. Meet other kids who are interested in music and enhance what you learn in your private lessons. Classes meet periodically with no long-term commitment required, so they are easy to fit into busy schedules! |
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11/5 (Sat.), 8 P.M. - Melrose Symphony (Melrose)
Support our hometown symphony as they open their new season! This unique concert will feature famous pieces of instrumental music from operas. Even if you aren't an opera fan, you will probably be surprised how many melodies you will recognize.
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Copland celebrates America in his music through:
American Hymn Tunes:
Aaron Copland "Variations on a Shaker Melody" from Appalachian Spring (New York Philharmonic) When the pilgrims came to America, they didn't have room to bring a lot of things with them. However, their religion was very important to them, so they did bring a book of hymns. Ever since then, hymn tunes have been a large part of American pioneer traditions. This hymn tune was written many years after the pilgrims (in 1848) by a member of another religious community who settled in America: the shakers. Aaron Copland thought it sounded very American, so he used it here in his ballet Appalachian Spring. The ballet tells a story about some American pioneers in the 1800s.
American Fiddle Sounds and Cowboy Stories:
Aaron Copland "Hoe-Down" from Rodeo (Sofia Festival Orchestra) This music is also from a ballet, but this ballet is about cowboys and cowgirls instead of pioneers. Copland had a lot of fun with this comic ballet about a cowgirl trying to get the attention of a cowboy she likes. He uses melodies from fiddle tunes and has the string players use their open strings to sound like fiddlers. He also has the trombone make funny sounds to make people laugh. You can learn more about the ballet Rodeo here.
American Jazz Sounds:
Aaron Copland "Jazzy" from Three Moods (Jan Lassker, piano) Fiddle and bluegrass music isn't the only kind of music invented in America. Jazz music was also invented in America and it was very popular during Copland's life. Copland decided to use the sounds of jazz music in a lot of his classical compositions. This also helps to give Aaron Copland's music a unique American sound.
American Ideals:
Aaron Copland "Fanfare for the Common Man" (New York Philharmonic) Sometimes, Aaron Copland didn't need to quote other types of music to make his music sound American. This piece was written when America entered World War II to celebrate the heroic efforts of the soldiers and other common people. Traditionally, fanfares were written for Kings and Queens and other very important people. But, America doesn't have a King or Queen and was founded on the idea that all of the people should have a say in government. Copland celebrates those every day American people in this piece.
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How to Earn Listener Points!
You can earn Listener Points by exploring this newsletter! Here is how:
about something you heard for 10 additional points.
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