CU 9.03Composer Study and Listening
The child listens to short pieces by composers from many places, learns their names, and finds where they lived.
Age 4½–6Work 3 of 3 in Music
Presentation
- 1
Show the composer's photograph and say their name.
- 2
Find where they lived on the globe.
- 3
Say: 'Let's listen with our eyes closed.'
- 4
Play one short piece (2–3 minutes).
- 5
Ask: 'How did it sound? Fast or slow? Loud or soft? How did it make you feel?'
- 6
Show pictures of the instruments heard.
- 7
Play the same piece again on later days.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Draw while listening
- Match a piece to its composer
- Compare two pieces
- Attend a live concert or have a musician visit
Control of error
The composer card is labeled on the back with the piece name; a control card lists pieces by composer.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Names three composers
- Describes a piece using music words
- Listens quietly for a full piece