Composer of the Month...

October-
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky 1840-1893
This composer was Russian.  He was born on May 7th 1840.  He went to a boarding school at a very young age.  This made him miss his mother a lot.  She died when he was only 14 years old.  It was so hard on him that it shaped his life forever.  His first composition was a waltz in her honor.  The Nutcracker  is by far one of his most famous works.  It is still performed around the world today-specifically around Christmas time.  Have a listen to Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow4t3C_gCCY

September
Aaron Copland 1900-1990
American composer was born on November 14, 1900 in Brooklyn, New York.  He was a composer, composition teacher, writer, and conductor.  He was instrumental in forging a distinctly American style of composition.  He was nicknamed, "The Dean of American Composers".  He is best know for his work done in 1930 and 1940.  His most famous works include Rodeo  and  Fanfare for the Common Man.  He died of Alzheimer's disease and respiratory failure on December 2, 1990.  Listen to Rodeo at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsReWx9XdNs