Composer Study – A Music Appreciation Journey Through Time

Composer Study – A Music Appreciation Journey Through Time

Can you imagine a world without music? What a sad world that would be!

Music makes weddings more joyful… movies more suspenseful… restaurants more inviting… sports more exciting… and churches more worshipful. Whatever your emotion or event may be, there is a special kind of music to pair with it!

Behind every special kind of music, you will find a special kind of composer. These composers are uniquely gifted by God to create music in their own way… hopefully collectively for His glory!

As Christians, we know the Lord is the ultimate Creator of music. Just open your Bible, and you will see music from the beginning of Genesis to the end of Revelation! On earth and in heaven, music of the past, present, and future can be made to glorify God!

We are all created to bring glory to God! We can do this by singing, playing instruments, writing music, or simply enjoying others’ music! The children of today will certainly be the singers, musicians, and composers of tomorrow. So, why not inspire them to “meet” the famous composers of music through time? Well, Heart of Dakota brings you this one-of-a-kind Composer Study to do just that!

What makes this Composer Study special?

Amazing resources that connect beautifully tell a seamless story of music! That is what makes this Composer Study extra special! First, join Marin Alsop, a famous conductor and musical personality. Marin takes you on a chronological journey through time via her audio, The Story of Classical Music!  Each era of history and composer’s bio pairs with famous, representative snippets of music. By the end, you’ll have heard 150 snippets – and all performed by world-class musicians!

In A Young Scholar’s Guide to Composers, see how music impacts history and culture, events and beliefs. This close-up look at famous composers, their music, and their times, gives special attention to character traits and Christian testimony (or lack thereof).

In Color the Classics: Hymn Writers, travel to Wittenburg Castle with an ex-monk, to the swamps of Georgia with the Wesley brothers, and more! Enjoy retelling short biographies, coloring pages, and listening to inspiring hymns via the provided music download!

Step into the 1920’s streets of New York City, and explore the city’s sights and sounds with Gershwin in Gershwin’s Magic Key! Arrive in America just in time for the grand opening of Carnegie Hall in Tchaikovsky Discovers America.

Join a little girl just practicing her piano when Mr. Bach drops in for a dramatic send-off of his music into space aboard Voyager II in Mr. Bach Comes to Call!  Exchange letters with a young Christoph about the chaotic arrival of Mr. Beethoven into his house in Beethoven Lives Upstairs!

Finally, join Mozart’s son Karl as he embarks on an incredible journey back in time to Mozart’s childhood and future in Mozart’s Magnificent Voyage!

Why did Carrie create this?

Heart of Dakota author Carrie Austin carefully chose only the best resources for this incredible Composer Study! First, her goal was to provide excellent means for children to be able to fully understand and appreciate music in a more meaningful, memorable way.

Second, her Revival to Revolution guide gives students a unique opportunity to meet some of classical music’s most famous composers! This Composer Study provides an unforgettable look at the legacy of classical music and hymns. It invites students to discover what makes each period of music unique.

Third, as students journey through time, they will listen to enduring music, learn about the instruments, and study famous composers and hymnwriters. This will lead them to see what makes their work so timeless.

Finally, these lovingly chosen books, audios, downloads, and coloring pages provide a unique combination of musical resources that are practically guaranteed to give kids a lasting love of music! Students will dive headfirst into the world of classic music. They will meet famous composers, and listen to unforgettable orchestral masterpieces. Perhaps most importantly, they will learn the timeless legacy of classic hymns and their writers.

How does this Composer Study work in Heart of Dakota?

Two days in each unit focus on music appreciation using a combination of The Story of Classical Music, A Young Scholar’s Guide to Composers, Classical Kids audio stories, and Color the Classics: Hymn Writers. These resources expertly guide students through a chronological journey of classical music, helping them discover what makes each period of music unique. Listening to timeless music, learning about varied instruments, and studying famous composers and hymn writers helps students discover why this music is so timeless!

The Classical Kids’ audios Mr. Bach Comes to Call, Beethoven Lives Upstairs, Mozart’s Magnificent Voyage, Tchaikovsky Discovers America, and Gershwin’s Magic Key showcase a unique combination of music, history, and dramatic story-telling. Designed to introduce students to the composers and their music, each story is told from the point of view of a child interacting with the composer.

Finally, learn about classic hymns and their writers – including Luther, Watts, Wesley, Newton, and Crosby – through Color the Classics: Hymn Writers. The accompanying fully orchestrated hymn audio is a joy to sing with and to hear!

Our chronological tour of music history will have students tapping their toes, humming a tune, and appreciating music in a whole new way. This music appreciation study is scheduled for the parent and student to complete and discuss together.

Finally, let’s take “a look inside” these resources!

Would you like to see the first week of plans for this amazing Composer Study? Well, just click here to see the Learning the Basics “Music Appreciation” boxes of plans!

Worried about having the right resources? Well, no need to worry! For ease of use, Heart of Dakota carries all of the necessary Composer Study resources in one convenient package! Click here to see the package and click “view details” for individual descriptions!

The Lord certainly has good plans for each of our children, and as our Creator, He may be planning for your child to be the next composer to display His glory! So, why wait to start this amazing Composer Study? Let’s get started today!