LEARNING ACTIVITIES
 The Course of Study
StageHouse

INTRO: The Classical Music Project breaks down the task of learning to recognize the 109 Sparklers and their composers into various stages. The Stages should be done in order. Always go on to next stage when you think you are ready...don't push yourself. NOTE: Sometimes you might seem you are stuck in cyberspace and can't get out of a certain location of the Project. In PowerPoint presentations remember to use the right click of your mouse, and in Internet Explorer the back button. Just click yourself out.

We might as well say this right off the bat: If you want to accomplish the tasks of this course as easily as possible, you need the accompanying CD's...click here...though you can actually bypass the activities that use them and still learn be a classical music "guru". If you are a teacher, you have no choice though...you need the CD's.

LEVEL ONE: COMPOSERS' NAMES AND FACES

Stage 1
Recognizing/Evaluating the Sparklers

INTRO: During this stage you will simply listen to the Remedy for Rap CD and see if you recognize the 109 Sparklers included in the Classical Music Project. You will have a recognition/evaluation sheet to follow along with on which you note whether you have heard each particular Sparkler before, and whether you like it. Since the composers are grouped in chronological order you will note the evolution of classical music through the years...all the way from the Baroque to the Neoclassical era. When done with this activity you will be able to look back and see which Sparklers you liked the best, and if you notice a cluster of ones you like under one composer, you know you like his style of music. Then if you want to buy full versions, you know who to do.

This activity may be done by an instructor with you a little per week, or you may do it independent study, and any pace you want. A good idea is to just listen to the Remedy for Rap CD set over and over again....but don't try to memorize anything...just listen. Future Stages will have you do that.

MATERIALS: Remedy for Rap CD Set, Recognition/Evaluation Sheet.

DIRECTIONS:

1. Print out the Recognition/Evaluation Sheet (remember to look at Print Preview to get best %), then;

2. Listen to Remedy for Rap CD's, noting on the sheet whether you knew each piece and if you liked it. Take note of patterns...you might notice you favor certain composers.

Stage 2
Becoming Familiar with the Composer's Names by
Trying to Read and Pronounce Them

INTRO: The composers are from all different parts of Europe so you might not know how to pronounce their names by reading them. But we are first going to let you try...because trying to pronounce them by reading our pronunciation sheet might help you remember them.

MATERIALS: Pronunciation Sheet

DIRECTIONS:

1. Download our Pronunciation Sheet sheet, print it out (Remember to check Print Preview for right %. Find a % so document prints out correctly) and try to pronounce each composer's name. Take your time and try to figure out every one. After doing so, go back and try to read them as quickly as possible. (BTW this worksheet was made by a program by Gepeto Software that every school should have for it's teachers, or anyone who instructs others..including parents. Go here to see all that is offered...WOW!!!)

Stage 3
Learning to Pronounce the Composer's Name's
by Hearing and Reading

INTRO: Now let's see how good your composer name pronunciations are after doing Stage 2.

DIRECTIONS:

1. Get your pronunciation sheet from Stage 2 (Pronunciation Sheet), and;

2. Click on the green button below. You will hear correct pronunciations;

3. Follow along with your pronunciation sheet, and say the names after the narrator does. Do this several times. It's a little fast so get ready. NOTE: if you don't see music buttons directly below this line, it's because you didn't allow Active X content to run. Click on the line at the top of the screen to let Active X to run.

4. Now to test your knowledge you will go to a PowerPoint presentation. To start the presentation you must click the little TV or "screen show" icon in the lower left hand part of the start up screen. This makes the presentation run in full screen mode. Follow directions carefully on screen...don't skip over them. Do this presentation over and over, right clicking on screen to go back and forth until you know the pronunciations like name of the members of your family. Click here to go to the PowerPoint presentation.

Stage 4
Spelling the Names of the Composers

Intro: You know the composers' names by now, so let's do activities where you learn how to spell their names.

DIRECTIONS:

1. LAST NAMES: Go here and print out the sheets, and follow the directions on the sheets,

2. Now first names...click here, print out and do same thing. These sheets were generated by using Gepeto Software.

NOTE: This might be too much to do in one sitting...depending how old you are, so spread them out if needed. You really should know how to spell BOTH the first and last names of these great men if you are above elementary school level. At elementary level, maybe only the last names...and little at a time....or not at all if your instructor says no. The main thing really is that you recognize the names, and can pronounce them...your instructor will determine if you are ready to spell them....or yourself if independent study. They are always here when you are ready.

Stage 5
Learning the Composers by Sight

INTRO: Now that you know the names of the composers and how to pronounce and spell them, you need to be able to identify them by seeing photos or paintings of them....remember, these guys go back a long way. These exercises will enable you to recognize them immediately. Remember take your time.

MATERIALS: Composers' Pictures Flashcards, PowerPoint Presentation: Names and Faces,

DIRECTIONS:
1. Study flash cards that have picture of composer on one side and name on other  Go here to make them...use Leitner Method to study them if it suits you (described on flashcard page)

2. Now PowerPoint Presentation: Names and Faces (Click here) to act as review. NOTE: AGAIN...always make sure you view all PowerPoint Presentations at full screen mode. At first screen you see, look down in right hand corner and see little TV set icon, or words "Slideshow". Click on either of these to get full screen mode. Then follow directions on beginning screens. Don't be in a rush and skip over instructions. Sometimes things come over slow, depending on your connection type...be patient.  

3. Before going on to Stage 6, see how well you do with the pictures and names on the extra practice page. Click here. We know we are reviewing you to death, but try to persevere. You really should know these as well by sight as you do my reading their names.

Stage 6
 Reviewing the Composers by Using Sight and Sound

Intro: This is a simple review of Stages 5 and 6. Here is PowerPoint presentation for that...click here. Use right mouse button to go back, and end presentation. No way you don't know these guys by now. For even more practice go to Click Here.

LEVEL TWO: INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE COMPOSERS

Stage 7
Learning Interesting Composer Facts:
Remedy for Rap, Disk 1

Intro: Now you are ready to learn interesting facts about each composer. This will bring them "alive" to you. The procedure is the old tried and true: 1. Listen to appropriate CD's, 2. Study factsheets, 3. Study flash cards, 4. Do PowerPoint Presentations, 5. Do checkup exercises (test your knowledge)..let's get going...Stage 7.

REALLY BIG TIP: Take the booklet out of the front of the jewel case of the Remedy for Rap CD Set. But it it your bathroom and read it while on the throne. It is a handbook of facts about the composers and their works. If you live in a dorm, make sure you put your name on it..or it's going to get stolen.

Materials: 1. Remedy for Rap CD #1; 2. Study Sheet--Composer's and Names Study Guide; 3. PowerPoint Presentations: Learning Composer Facts for Remedy for Rap Disk 1; 4. Composer Facts Flashcards for Remedy for Rap: Disk One; 5. Sheet called Write all You Know,

DIRECTIONS:
1. Listen to your Remedy for Rap CD Disk #1 two times...do this during a relaxed time....don't try to remember anything, just relax,

2. Print out the Study Sheet--Composer's and Names Study Guide and study the short facts for the composers of Remedy for Rap: Disk 1,

3. Go to PowerPoint presentation, Learning Composer Facts for Remedy for Rap Disk 1, and do the two parts that make up Disk 1...go through these several times,

4. Print out and study the Composer Facts Flashcards for Disk 1 (15 composers)...these provide more detailed information and study them hard. See suggestion for Leitner Method., and use if it works for you and you like it.

 
5. As a checkup, print out sheet, Write All You Know, Disk 1, and fill it out from memory...do the best you can...compare with the study sheet and correct anything you got wrong, or left out.
 
6. Listen to Remedy for Rap Disk #1 again. You are ready to tackle Disk 2.

Stage 8
Learning Interesting Composer Facts
Remedy for Rap, Disk 2

Materials: 1. Remedy for Rap CD #2; 2. Study Sheet--Composer's and Names Study Guide; 3. PowerPoint Presentations: Learning Composer Facts for Remedy for Rap Disk 2; 4. Composer Facts Flashcards for Remedy for Rap: Disk 2; 5. Sheet called Write all You Know,

DIRECTIONS:
1. Listen to your Remedy for Rap CD Disk #2 two times...do this during a relaxed time....don't try to remember anything, just relax,
 
2. Print out the Study Sheet--Composer's and Names Study Guide and study the short facts for the composers of Remedy for Rap: Disk 2,
 
3. Go to PowerPoint presentation, Learning Composer Facts for Remedy for Rap Disk 2, and go through the three parts that make up Disk 2...go through these several times,

4. Print out and study the Composer Facts Flashcards for Disk 2 (25 composers)...these provide more detailed information...study these hard...use Leitner method if you like it,
 
5. As a checkup, print out sheet, Write All You Know, Disk 2, and fill it out from memory...do the best you can...compare with the study sheet and correct anything you got wrong, or left out.

6. Listen to Remedy for Rap Disk #2 again. Now collapse and rest.

Stage 9
Learning Interesting Composer Facts: Review

Here's some exercises written in HTML that will review your knowledge of interesting facts about the composers. Click here and work your way through them. They are not in chronological order like in other exercises. There are eight parts. By the time you are through these, you will surely be ready for the ultimate challenge: Level Three.

Stage 10
Learning Interesting Composer Facts: Checkup

If you stopped at this point you would know enough to teach the composers to a history class in high school or college. There is one more level through you need to accomplish to be a true expert in classical music. But first let's test the knowledge you have already.

1. Print out and do Composers and Facts Quiz. Here is Answer Sheet.

2. Print out and do Composers and Facts Crossword Puzzle. Here is Answer Sheet.

3. We haven't directly taught you the countries that the composers came from, but you have probably picked these up in doing other exercises. Here is a quiz of them. Click here. Answers.

4. Advanced: Print out and do Composers and Facts Fill-In Quiz. Here is Answer Sheet.

You have come a tremendous way by now, and are an near expert on the composer component of music history. Be proud of yourself. You know something that very few people do. I salute you.

Dr. Isaac Newton Brown, slave driver