The document provides instructions for students to act as music detectives investigating composers. It outlines a 4-step process: 1) selecting a composer to research, 2) choosing a research question, 3) using provided websites to gather evidence, and 4) creating a PowerPoint presentation to present their findings. Brief biographies of 8 composers are also included to help with the selection process.

1. Music Detectives
by Mrs. Bishop
• Introduction
• Task • Introduction
• Process
– In light of the story, Lemony Snicket’s, The Composer Is Dead,
– Step 1 you will be investigating composers to discover if any crimes
– Step 2 against music may have occurred.
– Step 3
– Step 4
• Evaluation
• Conclusion
» Artist Carson Ellis, from
» THE COMPOSER IS DEAD © Harper Collins

2. Music Detectives
• Introduction
• Task • Task
• Process
–
– Step 1 As beginning detectives, your group will select a composer
listed in the book to investigate. Once selected, you will follow
– Step 2 “clues” to uncover evidence.
– Once you have collected all the information, your group will
– Step 3 report to the “Chief Inspector”, who will review all evidence
– Step 4 collected. When you have fulfilled all of your investigative
duties, you will receive your detective badges, or what I refer to
• Evaluation as grades.
• Conclusion – Good Luck!

3. Music Detectives
• Introduction
• Task
• Process – Step 1
• Process
– Step 1 – Please click on each name to read a brief paragraph about each
– Step 2 composer. You will need to use the Composer links from my
web page to complete the worksheet. After completing the
– Step 3 worksheet, discuss with your group which composer to
investigate.
– Step 4
Antonio Vivaldi
• Evaluation
Johann Sebastian Bach
• Conclusion
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Franz Joseph Haydn
Johannes Brahms
Peter Illyich Tchaikovsky
Igor Stravinsky
Aaron Copland

4. Music Detectives
• Introduction
• Task • Process – Step 2
• Process
– Now that you have selected your “suspect”, each detective
– Step 1 needs to choose a question from the following list. Once every
– Step 2 member has selected a question, please proceed to Step 3 for a
list of “clues” (websites) to use.
– Step 3
•
– Step 4 During what dates and musical style did your composer live? Where
was he born? What was his family life like?
• Evaluation
• What is the name of a famous composition your composer created?
• Conclusion Also, what kind of musical group would perform it and where? (Hint –
You should listen to the piece to describe the performing group.)
• What historical event was happening in the United States around the
time of the composer’s life? In the rest of the world?
• What technological advance was made during the composer’s
lifetime? Are we still using this knowledge today?

5. Music Detectives
• Introduction
• Task • Process – Step 3
• Process
–
– Step 1 Now that your group has come to a decision on who to
investigate, please use the following websites to gather
– Step 2 evidence.
– Step 3 www.nyphilkids.org
– Step 4
www.dsokids.com
• Evaluation
• Conclusion www.artsalive.ca/en/resources/students.asp
www.classicsforkids.com
http://www.classiccat.net/composers.php
http://freemusicarchive.org
http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cXebFQ2MA

6. Music Detectives
• Introduction
• Task • Process – Step 4
• Process
– Step 1
– Using the evidence collected, your group will present a 4-6 slide
– Step 2 PowerPoint presentation to the class.
– Step 3 – Please remember, all members need to work together to create
this project.
– Step 4 – Make sure all questions are answered during the slide show.
• Evaluation – Be sure to include pictures and music examples in your slide
show.
• Conclusion

7. Music Detectives
• Introduction
• Task • This is how you will be evaluated.
• Process
4 3 2 1 Score
– Step 1
All directions were
– Step 2 Following All directions were Few, if any
followed with Some directions
followed without directions were
some teacher were followed.
Directions any teacher help.
help.
followed.
– Step 3
– Step 4 All tasks were
completed with
All tasks were
Two tasks were
One or fewer
Content accurate
started or near
completed.
tasks were
• Evaluation
completion. completed.
information.
• Conclusion Presentation
Power Presentation is
neatly done and
contains all info,
Presentation
contains some
Presentation has
little required
but with a few
Point contains all info.
technical errors.
information. information.
Group worked well Group had
Group worked well Group did not
Group together and
together most of
the time and
problems working
together, but still
work together and
completed assignment was
Work assignment.
finished completed
not complete.
assignment. assignment.

8. Music Detectives
• Introduction
• Task • Conclusion
• Process
–
– Step 1 Congratulations! The Chief Inspector has decided to award you
with official music detective badges. Although no serious
– Step 2 crimes against music were uncovered, you have completed your
assignment. Due to your good investigative skills, you have
– Step 3 discovered much information about several composers. Keep
your badges current by continuing to listen to great music of all
– Step 4 styles and attending live concerts! Until next time……
• Evaluation
• Conclusion

9. Music Detectives
• Return to
Process–Step 1 • Johann Sebastian Bach
(Composer List)
– Bach was born in Eisenach, Germany. Growing up with his father
being town musician, Bach was surrounded by music during his
childhood. He studied and became an excellent organist. Bach
wrote music for organ and keyboard
instruments, choirs, orchestras, and concertos for instrumental
ensembles.

10. Music Detectives
• Return to
Process–Step 1 • Antonio Vivaldi
(Composer List)
– Vivaldi was born in Venice, Italy. As a child, his father taught him
to play violin. He went on to teach music at an orphanage for
girls. During his lifetime, he wrote more than 500 concertos.

11. Music Detectives
• Return to
Process–Step 1 • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
(Composer List)
– Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria. His father was a violinist
and composer. Mozart was an excellent violinist and pianist by
age six. At age 12, he had written his first opera. Mozart
composed operas, symphonies, concertos, masses, and chamber
music.

12. Music Detectives
• Return to
Process–Step 1 • Franz Joseph Haydn
(Composer List)
– Haydn was born in Rohrau, Austria. His father made wooden
carts and his mother was a cook. Even though his parents were
not musicians, he went on to become a very famous composer.
Though he did not invent it, he is known as the “Father of the
Symphony”.

13. Music Detectives
• Return to
Process–Step 1 • Johannes Brahms
(Composer List)
– Brahms was born in Hamburg, Germany. His father was a
musician, who did not make much money. Brahms helped earn
money by playing piano at inns and dance halls. He wrote every
form of music except opera.

14. Music Detectives
• Return to
Process–Step 1 • Peter Illyich Tchaikovsky
(Composer List)
– Tchaikovsky was born in Votkinsk, Russia. Music was not viewed
as a good career move, so his parents directed him to study law.
Eventually, law was forgotten and he went to St. Petersburg
Conservatory to teach music. Tchaikovsky conducted his own
music for the opening night of Carnegie Hall in New York City.

15. Music Detectives
• Return to
Process–Step 1 • Igor Stravinsky
(Composer List)
– Stravinsky was born in St. Petersburg, Russia. His father was a
famous opera singer. Stravinsky started piano lessons at age
nine. Like Tchaikovsky, he too went on to study law. After a few
pieces of music he had written became a success, law was
forgotten. Stravinsky wrote in many different styles of music.

16. Music Detectives
• Return to
Process–Step 1 • Aaron Copland
(Composer List)
– Copland was born in Brooklyn, New York. As a teenager, he
went to France to study music. His music is very “American”
sounding. His has composed pieces for orchestras, ballets,
theaters, and even films.