September is Classical Music Month! Celebrate with these beautiful films plus our free lesson plans to boost student engagement across the curriculum. These music film teaching resources are great for classes in Music Education, Music History, Language Arts, Social Studies, History, Environmental Science and more! For grades 4 and up.
Four Great Films to Teach for Classical Music Month
1. Classical Music Month: Teach with Chevalier
Disney’s hit film Chevalier was inspired by the true story of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. The historic Black violinist, composer and fencer made a sensation at the court of Marie Antoinette. The Chevalier Discussion Guide explores Joseph Bologne’s legacy, as well as the impact of music and the arts on social and cultural revolutions. For grades 11-12 and college / adult learning.
Lesson Grades: 11, 12, College, Adult Learning
Subjects: English Language Arts, European History, ‘Film Literacy, French History, French Revolution, History, Language Arts, Music, Music Education, Music History, Social Emotional Learning, Social Studies, World History.
Get the Chevalier Discussion Guide.
2. Classical Music Month: Teach with Defiant Requiem
Powerful Holocaust Education film Defiant Requiem chronicles how prisoners at Theresienstadt (Terezin) concentration camp used music and the arts as a tool of resilience and resistance. The Defiant Requiem Curriculum Guide includes lessons on Verdi and his requiem, and also on the psychology of art and resilience.
Lesson Grades: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects: Art History, Creative Writing, Current Events, English Language Arts, Film Literacy, History, Holocaust Education, Journalism, Language Arts, Media Literacy, Music, Music Education. Music History, Psychology, Religious Studies, Social Studies, Visual History, World History, World Religions.
Get the Defiant Requiem Curriculum Guide.
3. Classical Music Month: Teach with Landfill Harmonic
Landfill Harmonic is an inspiring documentary about the Recycled Orchestra of Cateura, the Paraguayan classical music group that plays instruments made entirely out of upcycled garbage. The Landfill Harmonic Curriculum Guide includes a lesson all about this amazing youth orchestra.
Lesson Grades: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Subjects: Community Service Learning, English Language Arts, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Language Arts, Music, Service Learning, Science, Social Studies, STEM.
Get the Landfill Harmonic Curriculum Guide.
4. Classical Music Month: Teach with The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble
The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble presents a vivid portrait of a bold musical experiment and a global search for the ties that bind. It brings together musicians and artists from around the world. The Music of Strangers Curriculum Guide features a lesson on ancient instruments and a printable PDF about traditional instruments around the world.
Lesson Grades: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects: Art History, Current Events, English Language Arts, Film Literacy, Geography, Journalism, Language Arts, Media Literacy, Music, Political Science, Social Studies, Visual Arts, Visual Literacy, World History
Get The Music of Strangers Curriculum Guide.
Plan Ahead: Important Dates
In addition to Classical Music Month, these films can also be great choices to teach with for International Music Day on October 1, Violin Day on December 13, and Music in Our Schools Month in March.
