Famous Composers & Musicians Lesson Plans

Students research a musician or composer of their choice and present their research through a written paper and free choice activity. This lesson can be done over the course of five to six classes with some homework. The paper correlates with the English Language Arts Curriculum as set forth by the NC Standards.

Students explore the work of Paul Dresher. In this musical arts activity, students watch a video segment about musician Paul Dresher and study the acoustic and electronic instruments and music he has invented during his career.

Students attend a variety of school concerts and performances to determine how to act at them. In class, they role-play audience members as well as describing the role of performers, composers and conductors. They repeat the lesson whenever there is another performance at their school.

Students practice appropriate concert etiquette by role-playing and attending concerts, They identify musicians by exploring the roles of musicians including performers, conductors and composers.

Learners identify and interpret what legendary traditional musicians of Louisiana that allows them to hear new genres of traditional music. They also identify what it means to be a legendary artist and read, write, and create a project about these extraordinary figures.

Learners research a composer using both Internet and print media. They demonstrate how to read a piece of music. They conduct interviews of each other to determine material for a news broadcast which they videotape as they simulate being camera and production crews.

Fourth graders study Baroque composers. In this music instructional activity, rotate trough three stations, collecting information on particular Baroque composers. Worksheets, information cards, and procedure included.

Students delve into the life and music of Duke Ellington as a major American musician and composer. The elements that made the sound of his orchestra unique and the talents of his band members are explored in this lesson plan.

Students view a video about street musicians/singers and then perform in a small ensemble, recognizing that there is no real star of an ensemble.

Ninth graders discuss how a song can represent a culture or part of a culture and the role of the musician. They will discuss and prepare projects that compare and contrast the music to be performed for an audience.