Musicianship Monthly #31: Composer Focus with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Happy New Year, everyone! 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!

Did you know that this month marks the birthday of composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart? Mozart was born on January 27, 1756 in Salzburg, Austria. This month we will be focusing on music history by celebrating all things Mozart! In this blog post, you will find a slew of free activities, worksheets, sheet music, and videos that will help your students learn about this famous composer all month long.

​Keep reading to learn more....

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First, let's give our students some background on the Classical Period, when Mozart wrote his famous works. This information page will introduce your students the characteristics of this style period and some of the most famous pieces written during this time. 

​Click HERE to download your free copy.

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Next, let's take a look at these free biographies and activity sheets!

• The "Making Music Fun" website has a printable, kid-friendly biography of Mozart available HERE.
• The "Classics for Kids" website has a great podcast on the life of Mozart and a printable activity sheet available HERE.​

• Help your students compose a minuet in the style of Mozart using this fun worksheet inspired by a dice game used by Mozart himself!​​ Click HERE to download your free PDF.

How about having your students play a piece by Mozart? Check out free sheet music of some of Mozart's most famous pieces for students at each level:

Elementary

• Theme from "A Little Night Music" (Arr. Chrissy Ricker) available HERE.

Late Elementary

• "Rondo Alla Turca" (Arr. Gilbert DeBenedetti) available from G Major Music Theory HERE.
• Theme from "Clarinet Concerto" (Arr. Andy Fling) available from Making Music Fun HERE.

Early Intermediate

• Theme from "Symphony No. 40" (Arr. Andy Fling) available from Making Music Fun HERE.
• "Allegro in Bb Major" (original form, edited by Gilbert DeBenedetti) available from G Major Music Theory HERE.

Intermediate and up

• "Sonata, K. 545: Movement 1" (original form) available from G Major Music Theory HERE.
• "Rondo alla Turca" (original form) available from G Major Music Theory HERE.

​Finally, here are a few videos that will help your students learn more about Mozart and his most famous works!

What do you think? Do you enjoy teaching Mozart's music? What is your favorite piece by Mozart to teach, or to play yourself? I would love to hear from you in the comments!