Chrissy Ricker
  • Home
  • Publications
    • Piano collections
    • Pop & rock arrangements
    • Video game arrangements
    • Vocal music
    • Instrumental music
  • Search
    • Search my catalog!
  • About
  • Blog
  • Free Stuff
  • Contact

Fun Halloween Listening Activities

10/16/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Nothing sets the mood for Halloween like a good, spooky piece of music! Luckily there are lots of descriptive pieces--many by famous classical composers--that are often associated with Halloween.

Take advantage of these spooky pieces to do a few listening activities with your students this month! You can use these pieces to learn about storytelling through music, introduce students to a variety of musical instruments, review dynamics and music vocabulary, listen for musical themes and form, and more.


Keep reading for a few fun listening activities (including some really cool YouTube videos!) to use with your students as Halloween approaches...​

1. "In the Hall of the Mountain King"  story worksheet
If you downloaded my Musicianship Monthly freebies for October, you may have seen the link to this cute worksheet from the "Classics for Kids" website that walks students through the story told in the music of Grieg's famous piece. Includes a brief biography of Edvard Grieg. Click HERE for your free PDF!

2. Halloween Music Podcast
The Classics for Kids website also has a special podcast dedicated to Halloween music! This short episode introduces kids to several famous spooky selections by a variety of classical composers and includes a short quiz. Click HERE to visit the website.
​
3. Toccata in D Minor performed on pipe organ
I never pass up the opportunity to show students a performance of J.S. Bach's famous piece played on a pipe organ. This video demonstration (recorded on Chicago's largest pipe organ) gives students an up-close look at the keyboard, pedals, and stops of this impressive instrument.

​​

4. Danse Macabre Visual Listening Guide
"Danse Macabre" by Camille Saint-Saens is another Halloween favorite! This fun video walks students through the story behind the music, as well as identifying different musical themes used in the piece and the instruments of the orchestra that play each one.




​5. Beethoven's Fifth Line Rider Video
This video, created with the "Line Rider" app, shows a visual representation of the first movement of Beethoven's famous "Fifth Symphony." Fun to watch, and a great opportunity to review the dynamic markings and articulations shown throughout the video!


​
And for an alternative to these familiar classical pieces, take a look at:

6. 8-Bit Music Theory Videos

If you have video game fans in your studio, the 8-Bit Music Theory YouTube channel is a must-see! Your more advanced students will get a kick out of these two videos that explain the music theory behind some of the creepiest songs in the Super Mario and Legend of Zelda video games.


What do you think? What are your favorite listening activities to use at Halloween? I would love to hear your ideas in the comments!
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Chrissy Ricker is a pianist, teacher, and composer from North Carolina. These are her thoughts on teaching, composing, and all things music.


    Looking for teaching ideas related to a specific topic? Use the "search" feature or scroll down to see blog posts organized by category!

    Archives

    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016

    Categories

    All
    2 Minute Teaching Tips
    Active Listening
    Composer Focus
    Composition
    Duets
    Ear Training
    Easter
    Fall/Halloween
    Free Stuff
    Friday Funny
    Games
    Group Classes
    Holiday Music
    Lesson Planning
    Living Composers
    Memorization
    Music For One Hand
    Music History
    Musicianship Monthly
    NFMC Selections
    Online Lessons
    Patriotic Music
    Performing
    Pop Arrangements
    Practicing
    Professional Development
    Repertoire
    Rhythm
    Rote Teaching
    Saint Patrick's Day
    Sight Reading
    Sports Themed Resources
    Summer
    Summer Challenge Calendars
    Technique
    Technology
    Thanksgiving
    Theory
    Tips For Teens
    Transposition
    Travel Teaching
    Valentine's Day
    Wedding Music
    Young Beginners

    RSS Feed

    Subscribe to my monthly newsletter to stay informed about my latest publications and free teacher resources. Once you subscribe below, a fresh newsletter will be delivered to your inbox on the first of each month!

    *Your email will never be shared or used for any other purpose besides this once-monthly newsletter, and you may unsubscribe at any time by clicking "unsubscribe" at the bottom of your newsletter email. 

Subscribe
 © ​Copyright 2016-2025 Chrissy Ricker. All Rights Reserved.
Photos from hyekab25, Giancarlo - Foto 4U, geraldbrazell, djordjemiladinovich, Rosmarie Voegtli, barnimages.com, brownpau, magicatwork, wuestenigel