Composer and music Studies with Tchaikovsky

We have had a wonderful 6 weeks studying Tchaikovsky.

He has always been one of my favorite composers, so It was a real Joy to share my love of his music with my kids this term. To add to our music studies, I put together some

notebooking pages, a coloring page, and a mini book to go along with our studies.

Classical music and the arts played a large role in my childhood. My mother was very fond of classical music, and I have many memories directly associated with certain pieces that I heard while growing up. Music and the arts also played a huge part in my Younger sister's growth and development. Growing up with Cerebral Palsy was a major obstacle, but music and the arts along with her regular therapy had a profound effect on her.

All and all, I have to say that I have come to understand the importance of Music and the arts in the life of a child.

In order to deepen our appreciation and develop a strong relationship with music, I have always advocated engaging as many of a child's senses as possible while listening to a selection. Any creative and calming activity is fine, so long as it is something that your child enjoys.

It can be as something as simple as dancing to the music... (free-style or simply choreographed), or playing an instrument along with the music. My kids enjoy getting out their toy drum or tambourine, and playing to the beat of the music. An activity as simple as this, can even help teach your child rhythm.

One of my favorite activities to do with my children, is something we call "paint-conducting".

All you will need for this project is:

• a set of finger paints
• finger-painting paper
• a painting smock
• a selection of music.

Firstly, the kids and I take a few minutes to absorb the piece of music.

In this case, we listened to Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto no.1.

After listening quietly to the music, I tell them to simply paint how the music makes them "feel".

Their color selection is based on feeling.

Their finger strokes are based on rhythm.

They enjoy both attentively listening to the music, as well as seeing the product of their listening .

Don't forget to label the finished product with a name, date and composition.

My hope is that at the end of the year, we will have a collection of paintings to compare and contrast.

Piano Concerto No.1- Tchaikovsky

Mom

"Belle"- age 10yrs

"Little Sparty"- Age 6 yrs

"Little Music"- age 18months