Classical Spectacular - Royal Albert Hall

Royal Albert HallClassical Spectacular Teacher’s Pack 2012

Royal Albert HallThe Royal Albert Hall was openedin 1871 and is a testament to thevision of Queen Victoria’s husband,Prince Albert.Its design was extremely innovative for the timeand included a glass-domed roof, which whenbuilt was the largest in the world to standwithout internal supports.Classical Spectacular Teacher’s Pack 2012

Royal Albert HallIt is 41 metres from the top of the dome to the Arena floor.In order to improve the acoustics of the Hall 135 disc shaped ‘mushrooms’filled with glass fibre wool were hung from the ceiling in 1969.Classical Spectacular Teacher’s Pack 2012

Royal Albert HallBuilt between 1867 - 1871, the Royal Albert Hall comprisesof 6 million bricks, 80,000 terracotta blocks and has 12 doorsfor the general public.Classical Spectacular Teacher’s Pack 2012

Royal Albert HallThe Royal Albert Hall Organ is one of the largestin the World with 9,999 pipes!Originally the Hall was supposed to seat 30,000 but thedesign had to be scaled down and it now seats 5,222.Classical Spectacular Teacher’s Pack 2012

Royal Albert HallEducationClassical Spectacular Teacher’s Pack 2012

Royal Albert HallEducationLaunched in 2003, Royal Albert Hall Education delivers a range of stimulating learning opportunities linked to theHall’s calendar of events and the unique qualities of the building itself.Learning about the Victorians on a KS2 Tour of the HallA 1500 strong choir from Westminster schools for The World in Our CityClassical Spectacular Teacher’s Pack 2012

Royal Albert HallEducationThese include specially created tours, exhibitions, projects and school matinees.Swanning Around dance eventStudents see their work displayed in the experiencing REMEMBRANCE ExhibitionClassical Spectacular Teacher’s Pack 2012

Royal Albert HallEducationWe work with children, teachers, young people and families - especially those who would not otherwise come tothe Hall - and aim to spark imagination, inspire creativity and open doors to new experiences and audiences.Classical Spectacular Schools’ MatineeFamily ignite concert in the Elgar RoomClassical Spectacular Teacher’s Pack 2012

Royal Albert HallEducationSince 2003 we have worked with approximately 200,000 young people and teachers, many of whom have cometo see specially designed schools’ matinees and shows. Others have engaged in longer term projects which havebrought them to the Hall for workshops, tours and performances.Primary Proms in association with Music for YouthMadam Butterfly Fashion ShowClassical Spectacular Teacher’s Pack 2012

Royal Albert HallEducationIn 2010 we launched a downloadable resource for Key Stages 3 & 4 called Showtimewhich is available free from our website!Classical Spectacular Teacher’s Pack 2012

Royal Albert HallEducationIn 2012 we will continue to grow and expand our work.Teenage Cancer Trust music workshopsActors perform Last Standing written by participants fromEnfield Youth Offending ServicesClassical Spectacular Teacher’s Pack 2012

Royal Albert HallEducationFor more information about the work of theEducation department at the Royal Albert Hall,Please contact us:Royal Albert HallKensington GoreLondonSW7 2APTel: 020 7959 0500Fax: 020 7959 0589Email: education@royalalberthall.comWebsite: www.royalalberthall.comClassical Spectacular Teacher’s Pack 2012

Royal Albert HallClassical Spectacular ®Classical Spectacular is one of the UK’smost popular classical music shows andhas been running for more than 10 years.Since 1996 there have been more than 200 Classical Spectacular concertsacross the UK, promoted by Raymond Gubbay Ltd. The concerts arerenowned for combining well known pieces of classical repertoire withfantastic laser and light displays. Classical Spectacular has been seen bymore than 1 million people.Classical Spectacular Teacher’s Pack 2012

Royal Albert HallThe Royal Philharmonic OrchestraThe Royal Philharmonic Orchestra was established in1946 by Sir Thomas Beecham.The RPO not only performs classical concerts, but records CDs, filmsoundtracks and supports many of the leading artists in the operatic,classical and pop worlds.The RPO has been directed by some of the world’smost renowned conductors including Andre Previn,Vladimir Ashkenazy, Leonard Slatkin and Daniele Gatti.The orchestra plays to tens of thousands of people each year througha variety of performances and has recently supported Sting on hisEuropean tour.For more information, visit www.rpo.co.ukClassical Spectacular Teacher’s Pack 2012

Royal Albert HallBand of the Welsh GuardsFormed in 1915, the Band of the Welsh Guardsconsists of 44 musicians.The Band tours widely, bringing the pomp and pageantry of British life tomany corners of the world: Belgium, Egypt, Spain, the USA and Canada.Permanently based in London, its members enjoy a varied and challengingmusical career and can be seen at the Changing of the Guard ceremonyat Buckingham Palace and other State and ceremonial occasions.Involved with children and young people, the Band runs instrumental clinicsand music workshops, and has close ties with various schools and collegesthat have been successfully developed through these avenues.For more information, visit: www.army.mod.uk/music/corps-band/default.aspxClassical Spectacular Teacher’s Pack 2012

Royal Albert HallJohn RigbyJohn Rigby has conducted many of the West End’s best loved musicals,including Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Joseph and the AmazingTechnicolour Dreamcoat and Starlight Express.Following two sell out Christmas seasons for Raymond Gubbayat the Royal Albert Hall he returns again this year.Recently John has also been Musical Supervisor for the UK Tourof The Producers and Musical Director for the West End production ofThe Drowsy Chaperone (Novello) starring Elaine PaigeFor more information, visit:www.jamesblackmanagement.com/artists/category/conductors/john-rigbyClassical Spectacular Teacher’s Pack 2012

Royal Albert HallLight Cavalry OvertureFranz von SuppéComposer ProfileBorn 18th April 1819 – Died 21st May 1895Name at birth: Francesco Ezechiele ErmenegildoCavaliere Suppé Demelli.A composer and conductor of the Romantic period,he is notable for his four dozen operettas.Best known for his operetta overtures of whichLight Cavalry Overture is the most famous.Light Cavalry Overture has been used in many cartoons and filmsincluding Disney’s 1942 Mickey Mouse cartoon Symphony Hour.For more information see:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_vonSupp%C3%A9Classical Spectacular Teacher’s Pack 2012

Royal Albert HallCanon in DJohann PachelbelComposer ProfileBorn 1st September 1653 – Died 3rd March 1706Best known as a composer of music for organand wrote over 200 pieces for that instrument.One of the most important composers of themiddle baroque period.Pahelbel’s Canon in D is his most famous pieceand was the only canon that he wrote.The Canon became hugely popular in the 1970’sand is now one of the most popular pieces usedfor wedding ceremonies.For more information see:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_PachelbelClassical Spectacular Teacher’s Pack 2012

Royal Albert HallStars and Stripes ForeverJohn Philip SousaComposer ProfileBorn 6th November 1854 – Died 6th March 1932American composer and bandmaster.Director of the US Marine Band from1880 – 1892 when he formed his own highlysuccessful band that toured the globe.Wrote more than 130 marches includingthe official march of the United States –The Stars and Stripes Forever (1897).Played 8 instruments: voice, violin, piano, flute,cornet, baritone, trombone and alto horn.For more information please see:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Philip_SousaClassical Spectacular Teacher’s Pack 2012

Royal Albert HallStars and Stripes ForeverJohn Philip SousaMusic ActivityHow many different Brass and Woodwindinstruments can you name?How does the music make you feel?What can you imagine happening as youlisten to the music?Fact FileStars and Stripes Forever is a march written for aMilitary Band which is sometimes called a WindBand or Marching Band.The Sousaphone was named after John PhilipSousa and plays the lowest notes in a marchingband. This is called the bass line.Try tapping on your knees to the beat.Now make the first beat louder while counting(silently) in 2’s. Try counting 4’s or 8’s.Classical Spectacular Teacher’s Pack 2012

Royal Albert HallLa Donna e Mobile and Sempre LiberaGiuseppe VerdiComposer ProfileBorn 10th October 1813 – Died 27th January 1901One of the most influential composers of the19th Century.He wrote some of the most famous operas everwritten, including La Traviata, Rigoletto and Aida.La Donna e Mobile is taken from Rigoletto and is sucha catchy tune that it has featured in many televisionshows and films from Star Trek: Voyager to The Simpsons.La Donna e Mobile is also used by many football clubfans as the basis for songs about their favourite players.For more information see:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VerdiClassical Spectacular Teacher’s Pack 2012

Royal Albert HallPrelude to Lohengrin Act IIIRichard WagnerComposer ProfileBorn 22nd May 1813 – Died 13th February 1883Wagner is best known for writing OperasHis most famous is known as the Ring Cycle whichconsists of 4 linked operas which takes 18 hoursto perform!Lohengrin was written in 1850Lohengrin is a character in German literature -he is a knight of the Holy Grail sent in a boatpulled by swans to rescue a maiden who cannever ask his identity.For more information see:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_WagnerClassical Spectacular Teacher’s Pack 2012

Royal Albert HallWaltz from Sleeping BeautyPyotr Ilyich TchaikovskyComposer ProfileBorn 7th May 1840 – Died 6th November 1893Sleeping Beauty is one of the most famous ofTchaikovsky’s ballet scores and was used in theDisney version of the fairy tale.Wrote music which was distinctly Russian.Prior to being a composer he was a civil servantin the Ministry of Justice for three years.In 1893 Cambridge University awarded Tchaikovskyan honorary Doctor of Music degree.For more information please see:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyotr_Ilyich_TchaikovskyClassical Spectacular Teacher’s Pack 2012

Royal Albert HallWaltz from Sleeping BeautyPyotr Ilyich TchaikovskyMusic ActivityTry singing the words to the main theme on thenext slide. After the grand introduction the musicseems to stop for a moment while the cellos andbasses play a 4 bar ‘oom cha cha’ pattern.Listen to the tune of the waltz and try to write somewords that fit the rhythm so that you can sing along!Then the main theme begins. Keep tappingthe first beat then counting “2, 3” once you’vesung the words. Try clicking your fingers on thesecond and third beat and repeat the pattern toaccompany the main theme.Experiment with different body percussion soundsto create a 3 beat repeated pattern to accompanythe melody and create the feeling of a waltz.Classical Spectacular Teacher’s Pack 2012

Royal Albert HallAdagio from Concerto de AranjuezJoaquin RodrigoComposer ProfileBorn 22nd November 1901 – Died 6th July 1999Rodrigo was a was a composer of classical music anda virtuoso pianistHe almost lost his sight at the age of 3 and so wrotehis compositions in Braille, which was transcribed forpublicationHis Concerto de Aranjuez is considered one of thepinnacles of Spanish music and guitar concertorepertoire.For more information see:http://www.joaquin-rodrigo.com/indexen.htmlClassical Spectacular Teacher’s Pack 2012

Royal Albert HallHornpipeArr. Henry WoodComposer ProfileBorn 3rd March 1869 – Died 19th August 1944Founded the world famous “Henry WoodPromenade Concerts” which are now knownas the BBC Proms.Arranged his Fantasia on British Sea Songs in 1905to mark the centenary of the Battle of Trafalgar.The Fantasia features 9 movements including theSailor’s Hornpipe and Rule, Brittania!The Sailor’s Hornpipe is also known as Jack’s the Lad.For more information please see:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_WoodClassical Spectacular Teacher’s Pack 2012

Royal Albert HallHornpipeArr. Henry WoodGroup DiscussionWhat is a hornpipe?Why do you think this music is calleda “sailor’s” hornpipe?What reasons do you think sailors had fordoing hornpipes? (Captain Cook used to make hissailors do hornpipes all the time – Why?)Now listen to the music…Music ActivityWhen you listen to the Hornpipe you will hearthe music slowly speeding up. The speed of a pieceof music is called tempo. When the tempo speedsup it is called accelerando.Experiment with this by singing a simple songyou know, gradually getting faster and fasterORby playing a percussion instrument to the beatof the hornpipe and see how you speed up asthe music progresses.Classical Spectacular Teacher’s Pack 2012

Royal Albert HallPomp and Circumstance No. 1Sir Edward ElgarComposer ProfileBorn 2nd June 1857 – Died 23rd February 1934English composer, born in Lower Broadheath,Worcester.Wrote music for many different instrumentalgroups and choirs.Pomp and Circumstance is one of a set of sixmarches written by Elgar.Famous for it’s use in the Last Night of the Promsat the Royal Albert Hall.For more information please see:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_elgarClassical Spectacular Teacher’s Pack 2012

Royal Albert HallThank YouRoyal Albert Hall Education would like to thankthe following people for their assistance in thedevelopment of this Teacher’s Pack:Stuart Rathie, Bousfield Primary SchoolBronwyn Marshall, St Francis of Assisi Primary SchoolPhilip Avierinos, Servite Primary SchoolAngela Hollands, Parkwood Hall SchoolRebecca Bisco-Haynes, Barlby Primary SchoolJane Butterfield, St. Thomas’ Primary SchoolHugh Lydon, Fox Primary SchoolImogen Stuart, Park Walk Primary SchoolSarah Taiwo, Marlborough Primary SchoolJean Carter, Royal Borough of Kensington & ChelseaPaul Munday, Royal Albert Hall EducationView Creative AgencyClassical Spectacular Teacher’s Pack 2012