Listening as an Event
Welcome to "Listening as an Event"!
How many people today listen to music? Probably almost everyone. How many people today listen to art music as an event -- just pure, unadulterated listening? Many people listen to music while doing other things like working out, cleaning, studying, eating; however, listening to art music, whether live or recorded, as an end in and of itself, (without doing anything else!) is much more limited.
As musicians and music educators, we know the instrinsic value of art music to the individual and society. And, importantly, we have a prodigious opportunity to foster the love of art music to future generations by teaching the art of listening as an event.
This blog will feature various avenues of engaging students of all ages in relevant listening experiences that can be succinctly added to any lesson's weekly home assignment. Share the love of art music and build the skills of listening with your students and their families.
To jump start listening experiences in your studio, you can begin with a short Youtube video by renown conductor and world-class pianist, Daniel Barenboim. In his video, "How to Listen to Music", Barenboim describes the importance of 'classical' (art music) to society and culture. He addresses some challenges to the lost art of engaged listening, while initiating thought on the subject. The video is a great antecedent for discussion on the topic of engaged listening, both practicallly and philosophically, with students in the music studio.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCKZDSIHV80&list=RDLCKZDSIHV80
Comments
Eneida Larti
Wed, 08/24/2016 - 15:20
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Great blog! Thank you!
Great blog! Thank you!
Kellie Johannik
Sun, 09/04/2016 - 13:09
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September 2016 - William Tell Overture
Engaged Listening Activity for the Late Elementary Student
William Tell Overture by Gioachino Rossini
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIbYCOiETx0
This piece comes from an opera composed by Rossini, a very famous opera composer from the Romantic Era. Rossini wrote 39 operas! William Tell, written in 1829, was Rossini’s last opera. The excerpt you will hear is the finale from the overture played by the Milwaukee Symphony. An overture is a piece of music that introduces all the music that will be heard within the opera – like a trailer to a movie. The piece is fast, exciting, and full of energy. It features the full orchestra, showcasing especially the brass and string family.
First, watch the video and listen to the music. Get a feel for the role each instrument family plays in the character of the piece. Then, lay back, close your eyes, and listen again. Allow your imagination to ignite! What do you see in your mind’s eye? What do you think this piece is about? What do you picture?
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