SEPTEMBER MUSIC LESSON TEACHING RESOURCES PART 1 for 2024

In September, so much is happening for you to integrate into your music lessons! MTR has music lesson teaching resources to spice up your classes and connect them to real-life people, music, and events!

SEPTEMBER is CLASSICAL MUSIC MONTH

And what better time to introduce your student to extraordinary female composers: Clara Schumann, Amy Beach, Isabella Leonarda, Francesca Caccini, Nadia Boulanger and Hildegard von Bingen.

It's all about how you introduce and present classical music to students. Teach them to enjoy classical music and appreciate its history with these MTR resources focused on classical music.

1 SEPTEMBER is Johann Pachelbel's Birthday

Johann Pachelbel was a German composer and organist. He is very popular for his organ music and strongly influenced the development of the chorale.  Some of his music has been said to have even influenced the work of Johann Sebastian Bach.

Pachelbel is best known for his Canon in D, a piece that most students recognize.

Learn more about Pachelbel and his music with these MTR resources. My guitar classes really enjoy learning and performing this easy arrangement of the Canon.
  

Watch this version of the Canon in D performed on original instruments from the time of Pachelbel.

1 SEPTEMBER is Gloria Estefan's Birthday

Gloria Estefan, a.k.a. the "Queen of Latin Pop", is a Cuban-born American singer and songwriter. She has made a significant contribution to making Latin music popular worldwide. Moreover, her music opened the doors for several Latin artists, such as Shakira and Selena. Estefan has won three Grammy Awards and is among the best-selling female singers ever.

These MTR resources take students on a deep dive into Estefan's life and music:
    

1 SEPTEMBER is the Beginning of SPRING in the Southern Hemisphere

Spring is the season of new beginnings. The weather is warmer, leaves appear on trees, and flowers bloom. Take the opportunity to review theory concepts with these SPRING theme resources.

5 SEPTEMBER is Amy Beach's Birthday

Amy Beach was the first American woman to succeed as a composer without receiving training from Europe.

Beach was also a child prodigy. At the age of 1, Beach was already capable of accurately singing 40 songs!

She began composing at the age of four.

Beach was considered one of the most respected and acclaimed American composers of her era.

MTR's resources to learn more about Amy Beach: 
  

6 SEPTEMBER is Isabella Leonarda's Birthday

Isabella Leonarda was an Italian composer. At 16, Leonarda entered a covenant where she stayed for the rest of her life.

She composed more than 200 compositions during her life, making her one of the most productive female composers of her time.

Learn more about Isabella Leonarda and her music with this resource:

7 SEPTEMBER is Buddy Holly's Birthday

Charles Holley, a.k.a. Buddy Holly, was an American rock and roll singer, songwriter, and musician.

Holly produced some of the most distinctive and influential work in rock-and-roll music.

He is often regarded as the artist who defined the traditional rock-and-roll lineup of two guitars, bass and drums.

Holly's music had a significant influence on popular artists, including The Beatles and Eric Clapton.

MTR offers several teaching resources to learn more about Buddy Holly.
      

Listen to Buddy Holly's live performance of 'Rave On'.

8 SEPTEMBER is Antonín Dvořák's Birthday

Antonín Dvořák was a Czech composer. Dvořák never took composition lessons. However, he was the first Bohemian composer to achieve worldwide recognition, turning folk material into 19th-century Romantic music.

Dvořák also taught composition at the Prague Conservatory and in New York City.

Students can deepen their knowledge about this amazing Czech composer with these MTR resources: 
  

8 SEPTEMBER is PINK's Birthday

Alecia Beth Moore, better known as PINK, is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She is famous for her distinctive raspy voice and acrobatic stage presence.

Pink has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making her one of the world's best-selling music artists.

She has won three Grammy awards and two Brit Awards.

MTR has several resources to support lessons about PINK.
          

9 SEPTEMBER is Michael Bublé's Birthday

Michael Steven Bublé is a Canadian singer. His first album reached the top ten in Canada and the United Kingdom.

He is regarded as the "King of Christmas" and found a worldwide audience with his 2005 album It's Time and his 2007 album Call Me Irresponsible.

Learn more about Michael Bublé and his music with this research activity by MTR.

12 SEPTEMBER is Hans Zimmer's Birthday

Hans Zimmer is a German movie score composer and music producer.

He has written music for over 150 movies, including Hollywood blockbusters such as The Lion King, Inception, and Sherlock Holmes.

Zimmer's works are notable for integrating electronic music sounds with traditional orchestral arrangements.

Zimmer's career accolades include four Grammys and two Golden Globes.

Check out MTR's resources for Hans Zimmer:
    

13 SEPTEMBER is Clara Schumann's Birthday

Clara Schumann was a German pianist and composer.

Schumann began taking concert tours at the age of 13.

In 1840, she was married to the composer Robert Schumann, and soon they became one of the most significant musical partnerships of all time.

Clara was one of the first pianists to perform from memory, making that the standard for concert performances.

Learn more about Clara Schumann and her music with these MTR resources:
      

Download the 'SEPTEMBER Teaching Ideas and Resources' as a PDF to keep in your files for quick access.

CLICK here for your copy.

See PART 2 of this blog post. 

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