We have began to dive right into our composer of the month in music at CFES. This month we learned about one the most famous composers of all time, Johann Sebastian Bach. 3rd-5th grade students listened and watched Bach's music being performed. Students knew a lot more of Bach's compositions than they previously thought. They were familiar with pieces such as Bach's "Toccata and Fugue in D minor," which they often think is spooky movie music but was actually composed for church services.
Many students were also familiar with Bach's wonderful "Cello Suite No. 1."
In class I often like to show students other ways that artist have taken classical composer's music and turn it into something new and exciting. One artist who does an amazing job with that is Bobby McFerrin. Bobby McFerrin is known for his hit "Don't Worry Be Happy," but he is actually a very accomplished musician in many other aspects. He performs all his music a capella and the only instrument that he uses is the human voice. This is a video of him performing a Bach motet with the audience's help.
And as always the Piano Guys.
Ask your child what they learned about Bach. Where was he from? How many kids did he have? What period of music did he compose in?
