Life and Works of Aaron Copland Cynthia L. James Greenview Elementary Music December 11, 2001 Picture taken from the American Memory Collection on Aaron Copland

Birthday November 14, 1900 Aaron Copland was born in Brooklyn, New York, the youngest of five children. Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection on Aaron Copland

Copland’s Parents Aaron Copland’s parents were Harris Morris Copland, a department store owner, and, Sarah Mittenthal Copland. Picture and Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection on Aaron Copland

Music Training Copland began his music training at the age of 14. He took private piano lessons from Leopold Wolfsohn in Brooklyn, New York. He continued to study withWolfsohn until Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection on Aaron Copland

A New Adventure In June, Copland took the pivotal step in his development as a musician when he left to study in France at the newly established American Conservatory at Fontainebleau, near Paris. Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection on Aaron Copland

A New Teacher In France he met Nadia Boulanger, who was to become his and many other American composers’ world-renowned teacher. Nadia Boulanger and her class, Paris, 1923 Picture and Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection on Aaron Copland

Famous Works Billy the Kid-1938 Lincoln Portrait-1942 Rodeo-1942 Appalachian Spring-1945 Shaker Variations-1956 Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection on Aaron Copland

Billy the Kid October 16: First performance of his first ballet, Billy the Kid, written for Lincoln Kirstein and the Ballet Caravan. Billy the Kid: production shot, Picture and Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection on Aaron Copland

Lincoln Portrait Completed Lincoln Portrait, commissioned by Andre Kostelanetz, with text created by Copland from speeches and letters of Abraham Lincoln. Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection on Aaron Copland

Rodeo Composed the ballet Rodeo, commissioned by Agnes de Mille. Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection on Aaron Copland

Appalachian Spring Copland was awarded the Pulitzer Prize and New York Music Critic's Circle Award for the ballet he wrote for Martha Graham, Appalachian Spring in Set and cast for the first production of Appalachian Spring. Picture and Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection on Aaron Copland

Shaker Variations This composition is an arrangement of the “Simple Gifts” section of Appalachian Spring. Picture and Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection on Aaron Copland Martha Graham and Erick Hawkins in the first production of Appalachian Spring, 1944.

Aaron Copland’s Death December 2, 1990: Aaron Copland died at North Tarrytown, New York. Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection on Aaron Copland

What is a Shaker? Let’s take a look…

The Shaker Religion In 1776 Mother Ann Lee ( ) and a small group of religious followers purchased land in New York and founded the first Shaker community in the United States. Homes of Shakers, Pittsfield, Massachusetts Picture taken from the American Memory Collection: Touring Turn-of the Century America Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection: Words and Deeds in American History

Mother Ann Lee Was born in England in When she became a young woman, she joined a religious known as the Shaking Quakers or Shakers. Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection: Words and Deeds in American History

Why were they called Shakers? The group was named because of the ritual dancing that characterized their worship. Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection: Words and Deeds in American History

Group Leader Mother Ann Lee was regarded as the group’s leader and was imprisoned several times for her beliefs. Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection: Words and Deeds in American History

Coming to America In 1774, Lee led a small group of followers to America. Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection: Words and Deeds in American History Picture taken from the American Memory Collection

Shaker Foundations Simplicity Economy Charity Equality Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection: Words and Deeds in American History

Shaker Followers Shakers settled throughout New England and eventually established more than two dozen communities in eleven states. Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection: Words and Deeds in American History

Characteristics of Shakers Shakers were best know for their ingenious creativity. They were also known for their distinctive arts and crafts. Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection: Words and Deeds in American History

Shaker Furniture They demonstrated precision and skill in furniture making. Even today their furniture is viewed as valuable collectors items. Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection: Words and Deeds in American History

Shaker Tradition This is an inspirational drawing that was given as a gift to others. Drawn in water color and ink. Picture and Historical Facts taken from the American Memory Collection: Words and Deeds in American History

Shaker Buildings Main Street, Shaker Village, Pittsfield, Massachusetts Picture taken from the American Memory Collection: Touring Turn-of-the Century America Shaker barn, Hancock, New York Picture taken from the American Memory Collection: Creative Americans

Other Shaker Villages Shaker Town Road, Pttsfield, Massachusetts Picture taken from the American Memory Collection: Touring Turn-of-the-Century America Shaker Mills, Pittsfield Massachusetts Picture taken from the American Memory Collection: Touring Turn-of-the-Century America

Review Questions Who was the founder of the Shaker religion? Mother Ann Lee What is another name for the Shakers Shaking Quakers Why were they called Shakers? The group was named because of the ritual dancing that characterized their worship

Another Question What types of things did the Shakers believe in? Simplicity Economy Charity Equality

Reflection-Journal Entry Answer the following questions in your music journals: Why do you think Aaron Copland based one of his most famous works on the traditional Shaker Melody of Simple Gifts? What would life would be like if you were a Shaker? (Describe your daily activities)