Every month, the music lab teachers select a theme for the Music Technology and Learning Lab. Students explore the theme in the Music History, Composition, and Listening Stations during their scheduled music lessons.
During November, our lab theme will focus on ballet music. Ballet has a rich history as an art form and has changed over the different periods.
Louis XIV was one of the major influences of ballet becoming its own art form. He took part in many performances, even earning his nickname ‘The Sun King’ from a major part he played when he was fifteen. At the time, the court dances had become more elaborate until dedicated performers took over and courtiers participated in less complex dances.
When performers took over, choreography and a new genre of music began to shape ballet into what we know today. Dramatic music with folk influences happened after the classical period.
During the romantic era, ballet has reached the form we know of today. Tchaikovsky wrote the Nutcracker in 1892. American ballet companies generate 40% of their income from the Nutcracker each year.
Enjoy this collection of ballet music. Find out what your student likes about it, too.