Free Music Appreciation Lesson on Leonard Bernstein

M is for. . . Music Appreciation. Today’s lesson is a really fun one about Leonard Bernstein. You’ll find information, links to websites and videos, and free printables!

Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) American

Leonard Bernstein is known for 3 important roles in music: for being the first permanent conductor of a major American orchestra (he was eventually able to conduct all the major orchestras of the world), as a composer (of musical theater and other works), and as a music educator.

Short bio:

Leonard Bernstein was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts on August 25, 1918. He went to Harvard and was a talented pianist. His music is typical of the Modern Era in that it has different instrumentation (notice lots of percussion), rhythms, and harmonies from the previous musical style called the Romantic Period. He died October 14, 1990.

As a Conductor:

Bernstein was a very talented conductor, animated, and had great rapport with audiences. He conducted the New York Philharmonic for many years. You’ll see him conducting many of the pieces below if you watch the YouTube links.

As a Composer: (Use parental discretion about what age your students should watch the full musicals. Many contain adult themes. But the individual pieces or songs linked below are appropriate for all ages.)

1. On the Town (1944), a musical

2. Candide (1956), an operetta based on the play of the same name by Voltaire.

3. West Side Story (1957), a musical based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, set in New York City in the 1950s.

“Symphonic Dances”; “I Feel Pretty”; Prologue from the movie version

4. Chichester Psalms “Adonai Ro-i” (1965)

5. Mass “Gloria” (1971), commissioned by Jacqueline Kennedy for the opening of the John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center; “Simple Song”

As a Music Educator:

Bernstein televised his “Young People’s Concerts” for children and taught a generation of kids about classical music. Many of these are on YouTube and are very fun to watch. He demonstrates the concepts by playing the piano and by conducting the orchestra in front of an audience of children.

New York Philharmonic Young People’s Concerts: “What is Melody?” (1962) and “Who is Mahler?” (1960)

As your students work through this lesson, have them fill out the following notebooking pages: 20th Century Music History Notebooking Page and the 20th Century Music Listening Printable.

The Classics for Kids site also has printables, games, quizzes, etc.

I hope you have enjoyed your music appreciation lesson on Leonard Bernstein. You’ll find more music education lessons at Gena’s website I Choose Joy!