What do composers look like? When you think about classical composers , do you only think about Beethoven , Mozart , Stravinsky ? Yet the spectrum of classical composers covers a much broader range of cultures, ethnicities, ages, and genders, spanning over hundreds of years.  This video was created by the Listening to Ladies podcast series, an intriguing look at the amazing women who created some of our most cherished classical music as well as a look at the contemporary composers today that are breaking new ground in classical music. MORE GREAT CLASSICAL MUSIC http://listeningtoladies.com/news/ Listening to Ladies showcases women composers through online features, a concert series, and a podcast to be released in September 2016.  Learn more at: www.listeningtoladies.com This video features "The More Things Change" composed by Ingrid Stölzel.  Composers pictured:  Francesca Caccini Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre Barbara Strozzi Louise Farrenc ...

Image via Wikipedia (Text in Large Print for Classroom Projection) Joseph Haydn Born in Austria in 1732 (lived till 1809). His father was an amateur musician who encouraged the young Hadyn to cultivate his obvious musical talents. Hadyn sang in the Cathedral of St. Stephen as a young boy until he reached puberty. Once he aged out of the choir, he struggled over the next decade to make ends meet. He taught lessons, performed, and eventually got a great gig with the famous Esterhazy family, a Hungarian family of nobles both powerful and extremely wealthy. Haydn 's position as composer was considered a servant position. He was employed by his patron and had to compose music that his patron wished, as well as manage the usual music director duties of conducting, teaching music, and basic music management . Haydn "Creation" The Heaven's Are Telling http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-Jkktpp9QI The Esterhazy family lived in a magnificent estate. There many palaces also had...

Image via Wikipedia (Text in LARGE print for classroom projection) CLASSICAL ERA 1750-1820 Classical: Dealing with Roman and Greek Antiquity The Age of Enlightenment (1720-1790) The belief in reason and progress. An age where the middle class raged against the extravagance of the aristocracy and the hypocrisy of religious leaders. A push to end the privileges of the upper class and instead ensure fairness for the struggling middle class. Freedom from spiritual darkness and oppression. Critical thinking and the bettering of the mind. A turn away from the extravagant opulence of the Baroque Period . Ideals of democracy and independence took hold. The American and French Revolutions turned monarchies on their heads. Music played an important role in the Age of Enlightenment. It was considered an integral and important part of a nation's culture. It helped unify troops, spread ideals of democracy, and rejoice in military victory. Operas had plots that mocked the aristocracy and songs...