Music appreciation curriculum is something that we have struggled to find. I have an idea of what I would like to have in my mind and I do feel like we are getting closer. We finished up our first full unit with Squilt Music and we are sticking with it.
What is included?
Squilt Music is only available as a PDF download. You can purchase all of the era’s as a bundle or you can buy each one individually {Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern}.
You can also become a member which opens the door to a lot more content but we have not done that.
Each era has ten lessons which highlight ten different pieces from the era. The lessons have links to youtube videos where you can listen to the music. There is also a notebooking page for each piece as well as for each composer studied.
Lessons
- Canon in D by Johann Pachelbel
- Chaconne for Organ in g minor by Francois Couperin
- The Prince of Denmark’s March by Jeremiah Clarke
- “Spring” (Allegro), from The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi
- Gloria in excelsis Deo by Antonio Vivaldi
- Brandenburg Concerto No. 2, Mvmt. 1 by Johann Sebastian Bach
- Toccata & Fugue in D Minor by Johann Sebastian Bach
- Air on the G String by Johann Sebastian Bach
- Hornpipe from Water Music by George Frederic Handel
- Hallelujah Chorus from The Messiah by George Frederic Handel
Extras
There are some printables which discuss what dynamics, rhythm, and tempo are. There are also pages that go into the different instrumental families that were used during the Baroque Era {Keyboard, String, Woodwind, and Brass}.
How much prep is involved?
Before we began our unit, I printed out a book for me {containing the entire PDF} and I made a book for Jacob which contained all of the printables {so that he could look at them as a reference when he needed them} and also ten of the listening forms {more on those later!}.
You don’t need to have a ‘teacher’ one – you could just look it up on a device – but I like to have a hard copy. However, each child will need to have the listening forms which could easily be put into a binder or folder.
Very little preparation is required for these units!
How do the lessons work?
Day one of a lesson you simply listen to the piece of music. This is the time to be “super quiet” and just listen. I really try and lead by example and make sure I am listening without distractions as well and not looking ahead at the lesson or anything.
That is ALL we did on day one.
I will say though, sometimes I allowe Jacob to play with his Thinking Putty. He got this for Christmas and it has really helped him focus during things like this when he is just supposed to listen.
After the initial listening, I think the pacing is very much your own.
Day two, we listened to the piece again, and then completed a listening form. This has us go over the dynamics, rhythm and tempo, instrumentation, and mood of the piece .
Each time there is a new composer being discussed there is also a notebooking page for that composer.
Then there is usually some additional information or activity suggested. Such as learning what a chaconne, toccata, or fugue is. Or they will have you dive deeper into one of the instruments like the trumpet or pipe organ.
How did we add to it?
Learning about the trumpet was a great opportunity to get Mark involved. Mark used to play the trumpet in high school and so he brought out his trumpet and showed it the kids.
Also, after we learned about Toccata and Fugue in D minor we watched Fantasia. This was really fun for the kids but I also thought it was really helpful as well. I think it showed the kids how music can evoke different feelings.
Final Thoughts
I thought this was a really easy, doable way to add music to our day. It is helping Jacob appreciate music more which is the main goal of all of this!
