Composers were real people and musicians with fascinating lives. Since children love stories, introducing them to composers is a great way to teach music appreciation.
Why teach about composers for kids
Learn about history
Sometimes history can seem dry, especially for younger children. However, all kids love music. And usually stories as well. By using the stories of composers and listening to their music, you can draw children into history easily.
Teaching about composers for kids can introduce them to other contemporary people in history as well. You can also connect to what was going on during the composers’ lives, and learn about historical events and time periods.
The most commonly taught composers are those of Western Classical music. For example, Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart. They are a great place to start, but you don’t have to stop there. Encourage your children to explore composers of cultures around the world. Explore other time periods, including modern music. Think everything from medieval, through jazz and current pop music. You can use composers for kids as a gateway to introduce the culture of each composer’s time period and country or culture.
Explore new styles of music
Many children don’t listen to classical music very often. By introducing them to classical composers, they are able to learn about a new style of music. Expand musical horizons even further by learning about composers of other countries, and styles. For example, movie composers, pop stars, and jazz composers, among others.
Learning that the music was written by these people with interesting lives and stories, brings the music to life and encourages a broader appreciation of music. Kids may be surprised to learn that and a lot of what they consider stuffy classical music was ‘popular’ music during the composer’s life, or even controversial!
Some classical composers have influenced music through history, including today’s pop music. For example, many popular songs are influenced by or even quote parts of classical pieces. Classicfm.com has an excellent list of some of these pop songs here.
How to teach composers for kids
Learning about composers for kids is relatively easy to start! There are 2 main areas to learn about. Their life story and history, and their music itself. The most interesting and comprehensive approach is to combine both areas.
Books
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Everyone loves storytime! I’ve included links (click the image) to each book for your convenience, but you may also be able to find them at your local library.
- The Usborne Famous Composers Picture Book – a great introduction to a variety of composers all in one book.
- Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Composers – this is a series of books, each about a different classical composer. The link is to the book on Beethoven, but other composers in the series are also listed at the bottom of the same page.
- Great Musician Series by Zeezok Publishing – this is a series of ‘living’ books. Each book is about just one classical composer, and is written in an engaging storybook style. I have linked the book on Mozart for you, but other composers are listed at the bottom of the linked page.
- Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra – this is a good picture book to introduce kids to a great jazz musician and composer.
Movies and films
Movies and films bring composers off the page. They are easy to digest, fun learning about composers for kids. These are suggestions on where to start, but always preview before showing to your kids. You know best what is appropriate for them.
I’ve included links for your convenience, but many of these might also be readily available in libraries, schools, or elsewhere online.
- Beethoven Lives Upstairs – this is a classic children’s movie that has been around for a while. It is about Beethoven from the point of view of a young boy living below him.
- Mr. Bach Comes to Call – this is a film about a present-day girl’s friendship with Bach. It includes many performances of Bach’s music.
- The Composers’ Specials – this is a collection of six films about classical composers. They are each presented through children’s eyes.
- Loony Tunes Musical Masterpieces – this one is my favorite! Music and composers are introduced in very easy to digest and fun cartoons! You have likely seen some of these before, and kids are sure to enjoy it.
Printable Activities
Printables will get kids involved in learning, and actively thinking about what they’ve learned. Examples of printable composer activities include:
- Worksheets – look for or create your own word searches, writing exercises, and so much more!
- Workbooks – comprehensive composer studies to guide your child’s introduction to a composer. You can check out my free printable Bach workbook here.
- Lapbooks and flipbooks – these are fun activities for children who enjoy cutting or manipulating something.
- Listening journals – these encourage active listening and discussion about a composer’s music.
- Timelines – You could create a composer timeline on the wall or bulletin board as a group activity. Or create a composer timeline on a poster board or even in a notebook as a project.
Listening
Listening to the composer’s music is arguably the most important part. We are learning about writers of music after all!
There is a huge variety of listening activities. You can choose the ones best suited to your children’s age and learning style:
- Movement to music
- Discuss the main characteristics of the musical piece
- Music style, form, and tempo
- Draw to music
- Creative writing about a musical piece.
Resources on composers for kids
Lots of resources, both free and inexpensive, are available both online and in your community. Remember to check out your local library!
Printable Composer Workbooks
- FREE Bach Composer Workbook
More Composer Workbooks – Fun, guided introductions to the composers’ lives and music. Each workbook includes reading, writing, listening, and coloring pages!
YouTube
YouTube is a goldmine of learning resources!
Just remember to always preview before using something with your kids – you know best what is appropriate for them.
- The Free School channel has bios of composers. For example, here is a link to one on Beethoven. Also check out their classical music videos, which feature pieces such as Scott Joplin’s Maple Leaf Rag here.
- Composers for kids videos by Paul Wilkinsin. He has a couple of fun, short, puppet videos about composers on his channel. These would be especially great for younger kids. Here is the link to one on Beethoven, and one on Mozart.
- The Bedtime Stories Collection channel has a short animated children’s bio of Mozart.
- You can find almost any piece of music you would like to listen to by most composers you might want to explore just by doing a quick search on YouTube!
Online resources on composers for kids
- kidsmusiccorner.co.uk – has resources on a wide variety of composers for kids. You can find some great resources for learning about jazz composers here.
- Makingmusicfun.net – has loads of worksheets (both free and paid). You can find their composer resources here.
Where will you start?
There are so many benefits to learning about composers for your kids, and easy ways to get started. Pick up a printable or workbook, find a video or book, or turn on some music, and start learning today! What composers would you like to learn more about? Let me know below, and I’ll be sure to work on more resources for you soon!
You may also like these articles: Learn About J.S. Bach, 27 Ways to Homeschool Music, and Printable Composer Workbooks
