Exploring Classical Music with Art

Completed by 8 learners

Ages 7-11

Live Group Class

Each week, we will respond to a different piece of classical music by creating something new (such as a drawing or short story) while we listen to it; wild imaginations encouraged!

Nicole Dyson-Smith

Average rating:

4.9

Number of reviews:

(1,261 reviews)

Live video meetings

1x per week, 15 weeks

3-7 learners per class

35 min

About Learning Overview Teacher Reviews

What's included

15 live meetings

8 hrs 45 mins in-class hours

Class Experience

There are so many adventurous, engaging, exciting pieces of classical music to explore! In this 15-week class, students will experience a different piece each week, learn a little about it, and create something inspired by the music as they listen to it. Here's how the class will be structured:
- (5-10 minutes) I will present a short introduction to the piece, which might include elements to listen for (such as texture, rhythm patterns, instruments to identify, emotions expressed, dynamics, etc.), historical background of the piece, or information about the composer. Students will choose a creative activity from a list of suggestions, such as writing a movie scene to match the music, painting a picture, or drawing "album art" to reflect the music.
-(15-20 minutes) We will listen to the piece together as the students work on their chosen activities. If it's a long piece, an excerpt of it might be played; if it's a short piece, we might listen to it several times or listen to two different short ones.
- (5-10 minutes) If students have finished their work, they may share their creations with the class if they'd like to. It is also okay to finish up outside class, and students are also free to post their work in the classroom.

Students do not need any previous music knowledge to enjoy this class.

Here is a list of the pieces we'll be exploring:
August 22: Symphony No. 25 by Mozart
August 29: String Quartet in G by Florence Price
Sept 12: Overture to Tannhauser by Richard Wagner
Sept 19: Scenes from Childhood by Robert Schumann
Sept 26: Concerto for Mandolin and Strings by Vivaldi
Oct 3: Excerpts from "The Barber of Seville" by Rossini
Oct 10: Nights in the Gardens of Spain by Manuel de Falla
Oct 17: Symphony No. 2, "Mysterious Mountain", by Alan Hovhaness
Oct 24: Tangos by Astor Piazzolla
Oct 31: Excerpts from "Swan Lake" by Tchaikovsky
Nov 7: Piano Concerto No. 3 by Bela Bartok
Nov 14: Nocturne for Flute and Piano, by Lili Boulanger
Nov 21: Fantasie-Impromptu by Chopin
Nov 28: Turangalila-Symphonie by Olivier Messiaen
Dec 5: Concerto for 3 Harpsichords by Bach

Other Details

Parental Guidance

-The lyrics to "O Fortuna" (Week 3) could be troubling to students; however they are sung in Latin and we will not be analyzing the words. Instead, we will focus on the music.

Supply List

Each week, students will need paper and a pencil or pen. They may also bring markers, colored pencils, watercolor paints, or crayons. On some weeks there may be specific materials preferred, such as construction paper or glue, and I will post those in the classroom the week before.

External Resources

Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.

Meet the teacher

Nicole Dyson-Smith

Joined April, 2020

4.9

1261reviews

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

Through my teaching, I strive to encourage a love and knowledge of music that will be valuable to the student for a lifetime! I enjoy sharing the vivid beauty and excitement of music, and helping students explore new sounds and masterpieces that open up new worlds of music to them.

I have taught music history & theory, music appreciation, piano lessons, and other music courses from preschoolers to adults, over the past 15 years. I currently teach piano lessons, and music courses at a community college. 

I have a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance, and a Master of Music degree in Piano Pedagogy. My main instrument is the piano, but I also play the harp for fun, and I'm teaching myself to play the banjo. In my spare time, I enjoy discovering new music (the weirder the better!), modern art, eating dark chocolate, and figuring out how magic tricks are done!