Classical Composers - Educational Avatar Update
Happy November! We’ve just updated the avatars and backgrounds available in the Practice Space shop - as we do every month. Our goal is to make the store updates fun, motivating, and educational!
This month, we’ve added classical composers to the Practice Space shop for students to choose as their avatar.
If you didn’t already know, your students can add avatars and backgrounds to their inventory to keep their home screen fresh. Students can only purchase from the Practice Space shop after completing their practice goal for the day!
Take a look at the classical composer update below! Each one comes with their own quotes so the composer can tell us about themselves and their musical period. Below are the six composers for this month with the facts they’ll share. We’ve also included a little biography if you’d like to share with your students!
Maria Teresa Agnesi Pinottini was an Italian composer, harpsichordist, and singer from the 18th century, celebrated for her operas and instrumental compositions. One of her most acclaimed operas is, "Il Re Pastore."
Facts in app:
I played the harpsichord in concerts since I was a child.
I was one of the few women whose operas dazzled the stages of Milan in the 1700s.
I spoke six languages and was known as the "Seven-year-old Oracle"
I wrote a math book at 9 years old!
Ludwig Van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist who bridged the Classical and Romantic periods with his innovative compositions. He was renowned for works like the "Moonlight Sonata," the "Ninth Symphony," and the "Fifth Symphony."
Facts in app:
Music historians don't know when I was born!
People hated my Late Quartets.
I might have once performed for Mozart.
I became deaf later in life and it didn't stop me from conducting, composing, and playing music!
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach was a German composer from the Classical period enowned for his emotive style and was a key figure in the "Empfindsamer Stil" (sensitive style) of music.
Facts in app:
I was severely underpaid at the court of Frederick the Great.
I was an astute businessman, meticulous record-keeper, punctilious accountant, and published my own music!
I had an enormous portrait collection.
I was the first to suggest in print that musicians should move, show emotion, practice, and use their thumbs when playing the piano.
Franz Schubert was an Austrian composer who, despite his short life, made significant contributions to the Classical & Romantic era with masterpieces in song cycles, symphonies, and chamber music. Best known for pieces like "Ave Maria" and the "Unfinished Symphony."
Facts in app:
I wrote over 1000 pieces of music, even though I only lived to the age of 31!
I wrote over 600 songs!
My 'Unfinished' Symphony really is unfinished and was discovered by surprise after I died.
I was in awe of Beethoven throughout my life..
Franz Joseph Haydn was an Austrian composer who played a central role in the development of the Classical style during the 18th century. Often dubbed the "Father of the Symphony" and "Father of the String Quartet."
Facts in app:
I was born the year George Washington was born (1732) and died the year Abraham Lincoln was born (1809).
I was a very successful boy soprano from age 8 until 17, singing in the choir of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna.
I was kicked out of the St. Stephen’s choir when my voice changed and I went to live in a poor attic, but at least during my time in the choir, I met the famous singing instructor Porpora.
My "Surprise" Symphony wakes you up with a sudden loud chord — the musical version of a jump-scare!
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was an Austrian classical composer. He was a child prodigy and composed more than 600 works, including "Eine kleine Nachtmusik," the opera "The Magic Flute," and the "Requiem."
Facts in app:
I wrote my first composition at just 4 years old.
My grave is unknown to this day.
My full name was “Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart.”
I wrote my first symphony at 8 years old!
Background Update
Some other fun additions
These all cheer the student on but also talk about tempo and other musical terms!
