1. Suite By Lewis Henderson

2. Definition A suite is an instrumental composition, consisting of dances in the same or related keys. There were a few different pieces of music played one after the other. Common names for the pieces would be trio, minuet, gigue. Mainly used in the 17 th and 18 th century.

3. General Info The first use of the term was in 1557 in 'Suyttes de Bransles' by Estienne du Tetre. It may be extracts from a ballet, play, opera film or video game. It was most precisely defined in the Baroque period.

4. Example The Nutcracker Suite, by Tchaikovsky; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB1- axKPmSM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB1- axKPmSM Within this suite, you would hear various pieces of music. The march of the toy soldiers, Chinese dance, Arabian dance, Russian dance and Dance of the sugar plum fairy where you can hear a celeste.

5. Questions In what century/century’s were suites mainly used? When was the term first used? Would a suite consist of one piece or many pieces?