October is almost here, and the start of a new month means it is time for a new "Musicianship Monthly" activity!
What is "Musicianship Monthly?" Each month, I share links to free resources you can use to focus on a specific musicianship skill with your students all month long! Want to see past skills we have covered? Click HERE!
This month, we will be learning about 4 famous classical pieces that we often hear played at Halloween! Read on to see video performances, printable composer biographies, and links to free and paid sheet music for each of these famous spooky classics....
What is "Musicianship Monthly?" Each month, I share links to free resources you can use to focus on a specific musicianship skill with your students all month long! Want to see past skills we have covered? Click HERE!
This month, we will be learning about 4 famous classical pieces that we often hear played at Halloween! Read on to see video performances, printable composer biographies, and links to free and paid sheet music for each of these famous spooky classics....
| Below you will find 4 famous and spooky classical pieces--one for each week in October! Under each video you will also find a link to a printable biography of the piece's composer, as well as links to where arrangements of the sheet music can be found. Print out the "Spooky Active Listening" worksheet HERE so your students can make notes on what they hear as they are listening to each piece. |  |
Week 1: "Toccata in D minor" by J.S. Bach
What better way to kick off the month than by listening to this famous organ piece by Bach that has become synonymous with Halloween?
This video performance of the famous piece also offers students an insight into the workings of the pipe organ.
What better way to kick off the month than by listening to this famous organ piece by Bach that has become synonymous with Halloween?
This video performance of the famous piece also offers students an insight into the workings of the pipe organ.
Find a free, printable biography of J.S. Bach on the Making Music Fun website HERE.
Free Sheet Music
Late elementary piano arrangement (arranged by Andy Fling) available HERE.
Intermediate piano arrangement (arranged by Gilbert DeBenedetti) available HERE.
Sheet Music for Purchase
Beginner piano arrangement (arranged by Chrissy Ricker) available HERE.
Early intermediate piano arrangement (arranged by Chrissy Ricker) available HERE.
Week 2: "In the Hall of the Mountain King" by Edvard Grieg
Next we have another well-known piece that is a student favorite! This listening map video helps students follow the melody of this famous piece as it moves between different instruments of the orchestra.
Free Sheet Music
Late elementary piano arrangement (arranged by Andy Fling) available HERE.
Intermediate piano arrangement (arranged by Gilbert DeBenedetti) available HERE.
Sheet Music for Purchase
Beginner piano arrangement (arranged by Chrissy Ricker) available HERE.
Early intermediate piano arrangement (arranged by Chrissy Ricker) available HERE.
Week 2: "In the Hall of the Mountain King" by Edvard Grieg
Next we have another well-known piece that is a student favorite! This listening map video helps students follow the melody of this famous piece as it moves between different instruments of the orchestra.
Find a free, printable biography of Edvard Grieg on the Making Music Fun website HERE.
Free Sheet Music
Beginner piano arrangement (arranged by Chrissy Ricker) available HERE.
Sheet Music for Purchase
Easy piano arrangement (arranged by Chrissy Ricker) available HERE.
Early intermediate ragtime style arrangement (arranged by Chrissy Ricker) available HERE.
Week 3: "Moonlight Sonata" by Ludwig van Beethoven
Many students will recognize this famous piano work. Mitsuko Uchida's performance of the famous first movement of this piece is exquisite.
Free Sheet Music
Beginner piano arrangement (arranged by Chrissy Ricker) available HERE.
Sheet Music for Purchase
Easy piano arrangement (arranged by Chrissy Ricker) available HERE.
Early intermediate ragtime style arrangement (arranged by Chrissy Ricker) available HERE.
Week 3: "Moonlight Sonata" by Ludwig van Beethoven
Many students will recognize this famous piano work. Mitsuko Uchida's performance of the famous first movement of this piece is exquisite.
Find a free, printable biography of Ludwig van Beethoven on the Making Music Fun website HERE.
Free Sheet Music
Late elementary piano arrangement (arranged by Gilbert DeBenedetti) available HERE.
Complete sonata in original form available from G Major Music Theory HERE.
Sheet Music for Purchase
Early intermediate piano arrangement (arranged by Chrissy Ricker) available HERE.
Intermediate pop-style arrangement (arranged by Chrissy Ricker) available HERE.
Week 4: "Danse Macabre" by Camille Saint-Saens
This classical masterpiece may be less well-known, but it is a great example of storytelling through music! Below is a listening map video that shows both the instruments used in this orchestral work as well as how each section relates to the story behind the music.
Free Sheet Music
Late elementary piano arrangement (arranged by Gilbert DeBenedetti) available HERE.
Complete sonata in original form available from G Major Music Theory HERE.
Sheet Music for Purchase
Early intermediate piano arrangement (arranged by Chrissy Ricker) available HERE.
Intermediate pop-style arrangement (arranged by Chrissy Ricker) available HERE.
Week 4: "Danse Macabre" by Camille Saint-Saens
This classical masterpiece may be less well-known, but it is a great example of storytelling through music! Below is a listening map video that shows both the instruments used in this orchestral work as well as how each section relates to the story behind the music.
Find a free, printable biography of Camille Saint-Saens on the Making Music Fun website HERE.
Sheet Music for Purchase
Easy piano arrangement (arranged by Chrissy Ricker) available HERE.
What do you think? Did your favorite Halloween classic make the list? Leave a comment below and let me know!
Want to explore even more spooky classics? Check out my 2 collections of "Spooky Classical Favorites," available at Sheet Music Plus HERE.
Sheet Music for Purchase
Easy piano arrangement (arranged by Chrissy Ricker) available HERE.
What do you think? Did your favorite Halloween classic make the list? Leave a comment below and let me know!
Want to explore even more spooky classics? Check out my 2 collections of "Spooky Classical Favorites," available at Sheet Music Plus HERE.
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