Composer Webquest

 

 
 

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits/Teacher Notes

 You will be writing a report on a famous musical composer. After researching and writing your report by using the links provided in this webquest, you are to create a Power Point Presentation on your composer.
 

The Task

• The composer's name and dates of birth and death
• Where he was from
• What instrument  he played, if any
• How old was he when he started composing
• Who his teachers were
• How other composers influence him
• What were some of his famous compositions?  Why were these compositions famous and not others?  (Try listening to couple of pieces of his music to decide!)
• Any major events occurring during his lifetime, and tell how they affected his music
• At least one picture of the composer
• Any other pictures that might help us learn more about him

1.    Decide which composer you'd like to do your report on.

2.    Gather your information.  The following links might be helpful:
                           http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/users/mn200/music/composers.html
                           http://w3.rz-berlin.mpg.de/cmp/composer_index.html
                           http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/Strasse/7920/

Composers from Classic 4 Kids "Symphony of Superstars"

• Ludwig Van Beethovan
• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• Fanny Menddolsohn
• Felix Menddolsohn
• Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov
        

Composer Study

• Johannes Sebastian Bach
• Peter Tchaikovsky

3.    Use the information you gathered to write your report. Be careful not to plagiarize! 

6.   Use your report to create a Power Point presentation on your composer.
 
 

Evaluation

Written Report- Critieria
    
            
                Writing skills (spelling, grammar, sentences)  20 pts.
                Content                                                       50  pts.
                Accuracy                                                     20 pts.
                Neatness                                                      10 pts.

Power Point Presentation- Clear, Precise, Eye-catching, Interesting, Accurate, 50 pts.

Oral Skills (volume, interesting voice, knowledge of content,  eye contact, audience connection) 50 pts.

Conclusion

After this assignment is complete, you should have have a good knowledge of your composer.  You have looked at other aspects of the composer's time period and important events of his time.  You have possibly been able to listen to some of his music and maybe even enjoyed it.  Hopefully this has helped you to begin an interest in finding out more about the history of music and the people that wrote it!

Credits/Teacher Notes

Background and lines from "Music Graphics Galore"     http://www.intcon.net/~songbird/graphics-1.html#Lines
Picture of Brahms       http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/users/mn200/music/composers.htm