Aaron Copland
Aaron Copland…composer of the American sound
Wide-open landscapes, familiar folk tunes, lively rhythms, and music written for ordinary people—Aaron Copland set out to create a sound that felt distinctly American.
One of the most influential American composers of the twentieth century, Copland believed classical music could speak to everyone. Drawing inspiration from American folk songs, hymns, jazz, the West, and the stories of everyday Americans, he created music that came to represent the vastness, energy, and character of the American experience.
Through works such as Appalachian Spring, Rodeo, Fanfare for the Common Man, Lincoln Portrait, and Our Town, students will discover how Copland used music to tell stories, honor ordinary people, and capture the sound of America.
In this study students will:
- Discover the life and music of Aaron Copland
- Listen for rhythm, melody, instrumentation, and musical themes
- Explore the American stories and ideas behind Copland’s compositions
- Discover the influence of folk songs, hymns, and traditional American music
- Consider how music can express the character of a people and place
This guide is designed to be used over one term (11 weeks), with one lesson each week for approximately 20 minutes. I encourage you to listen informally to Copland’s music throughout the term as well.
Supplies needed:
- Computer or listening device (all compositions are linked in the PDF through both hyperlinks and QR codes)
- The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton
Recommended contemporary and complimentary studies:
History – The Symphony of History Vol. 5 Sonata (Modern Age)
Geography – Europe
Composer – Sergei Rachmaninoff and Olivier Messiaen
Poetry – A. A. Milne and William Carlos Williams
Picture – John Singer Sargent
Folk Songs – Songs from the Great War
*the guide includes QR Codes for easy links, if you choose to print the document.
For printing, we recommend our print partner Humble Heart Press.
** due to the nature of digital products, we are unable to accept returns.
