Introduction to Investigating the Orchestra from The Composer Detective Course

Welcome to Investigating the Orchestra by Jus’ Classical! This is a unit study on the orchestra, but if you want more in-depth study of composers, consider purchasing one or more of the composer units, or upgrade to the whole course. Go here for more information.

In The Composer Detective, a music appreciation course for elementary and middle school students, composers will “come to life” as the host, George Frideric Handel, interviews nine composers from different periods of classical music and introduces the orchestra, orchestral periods, and some of the famous works of these composers. Your children will not only learn about the orchestra and composers, but they will also learn history and geography in the lessons and be exposed to some of the great orchestras, conductors and solo performers through the video playlist.

The biographies are geared towards elementary-aged students, but this course will be fun for the family and groups of multiple ages and variations of the worksheets can be used with older ages.

You will have access to any future updates and support through Jus’ Classical on Teachable.

This course is a perfect supplement for the orchestra unit in Classical Conversations and orchestra study in Charlotte Mason, or as a unit study or stand-alone course.

Everything you need for an amazing experience in making music and history fun is right here in the course, but here are a few things you could add to engage in the music more fully if you want to participate in the music for a different way of listening, especially with younger listeners.

Additional tools for enjoying the music (optional):

1. Light scarves to dance with - this is especially nice with slower songs.
2. Sticks, shakers, drums or other small percussion instruments to play along to a steady beat on fast songs.

I also include recommendations for books for further study outside the course, but these are optional.

Here's what you get:

1.     Recorded video lessons, some led by your guide George Frideric Handel and some from resources on YouTube.

2.    Downloadable Student Activity Packs for each unit.

3.    Downloadable Teacher Notes for each unit.

4.    Curated playlist of video performances highlighting instruments of the orchestra.

5.    Access to the video and downloadable material for the lifetime of the product, including updates.

6.     Use of the course for all students in your family or classroom.

Tip:

The videos of the composers’ pieces vary in length. Some pieces and symphonies are very long performances. Even just watching or listening for a few minutes will give you an idea of the music. Make this course work for you. Don't feel like you have to do it all!

FAQs:

What do I do if a link is broken or video is no longer available?

Please email Justina at [email protected], and I'll get it fixed ASAP! Thank you for your help and taking the extra time to let me know about them.

What do I do if I am seeing inappropriate ads with the YouTube videos?

We use videos embedded from YouTube so you don’t have to go purchase CDs or MP3s since recordings and availability change all the time. We do not have control of which ads run. However, if you are noticing that you are seeing some inappropriate ads, click on this link which will give you ways to block advertisers. You might also need to clear your cookies/history. And be sure YouTube is set to restricted mode. https://support.google.com/ads/answer/2662850?hl=e...

What is the Copyright information?

© 2019-2021 Jus’ Classical

All rights reserved. No portion of this course may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted outside immediate household in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other—except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

How many copies can I make?

Photocopies of lessons and activity pages may be made for only one household or classroom of children.

Can I use the course to teach at a school or co-op?

Purchase of the course is only for one classroom at a school or one family in a household. To obtain a license to use in multiple classes at school or a homeschool co-op, contact Justina at [email protected].

Affiliate Disclosure:

The Composer Detective / Jus’ Classical resources contain links from affiliate programs. You can help support Jus' Classical at no extra cost to you when you purchase anything through our link.

How to Listen:

This course has a lot of opportunities to learn to listen. Some of the pieces are short and some are long, so if you are not used to listening to music like this, you may want to start with the short pieces. You will become a better listener if you sit still and listen to the different parts of the music and if you listen to the piece over and over. However, you do not have to sit still every time - sometimes you may want to get up and dance or do structured movements like galloping, marching, spinning, rocking, jumping, etc. Other times you may want to color, draw or paint as you listen. Listen at mealtimes or while you read.

As you listen, count along to see if it feels best to count in threes or fours - this gives you a sense of the meter (triple or duple.) You will count 1 2 3, 1 2 3 or 1 2 3 4, 1 2 3 4.

Also, as you listen, think about if you hear repeated parts. Are they repeated exactly the same or by a different set of instruments or maybe even a few notes higher but a similar pattern?

Also, ask these questions:

What instruments do you hear?

Is the song slow or fast?

What are the words (if there is a choir or solo vocalist)?

Does there appear to be a form, such as a repeated section – like Section A (one melody), Section B (a different melody), Section A again (same melody as the first melody)? This is called Rondo Form.

What does the music make you think of – like a story, a setting, or a feeling?