Classical Music Month

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1. What Is Classical Music Month?

• Time: Classical Music Month is observed every September in the United States. (classicalwcrb.org)

• Origin: It was established in 1994 by Presidential Proclamation 6716 under President Bill Clinton. (classicalwcrb.org)

• Purpose: The goal is to celebrate classical music’s role in society—its history, composers, performers, its influence, and to encourage people of all ages to listen, learn, and participate in classical music. (classicalwcrb.org)

 

2. Why It Matters

• Cultural Heritage: Classical music spans centuries, from early (Renaissance, Baroque) through Romantic to Modern. It is part of global artistic heritage.

• Educational Benefits: Listening to and studying classical music supports development in listening skills, memory, pattern recognition, understanding structure (in music and otherwise). Also helps in emotional literacy and creative thinking.

• Community & Well-Being: Concerts, live performances, and communal listening build community. Music is emotional, transcending language, and provides pleasure, inspiration and sometimes comfort.

 

3. Key Themes / Concepts to Explore

• Periods and Styles: Baroque, Classical era, Romantic, Impressionist, Modern/20th-Century/Contemporary.

• Composers’ Lives and Context: How composers were shaped by their times (politically, socially, technologically), and how their compositions reflected that.

• Instrumentation & Form: Understanding orchestral instruments, chamber vs. orchestral work, form (sonata, symphony, concerto), dynamics, etc.

• Public Domain & Accessibility: Many classical works are in public domain; understanding where one can freely access scores or recordings.

• Diversity in Classical Music: Women composers, composers of color, non-Western influences—topics that are gaining more attention and importance.

 

4. Suggested Activities for Celebration

Here are ways schools, music programs, community groups could mark Classical Music Month:

Activity

Description / Purpose

Listening challenges / “piece a day”

Each day in September, feature a different classical piece. Students/families listen, discuss what they hear: instruments, mood, structure.

Composer of the Week / Spotlight

Pick a composer each week (e.g. Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, plus underrepresented ones like Amy Beach, Hildegard von Bingen) and learn about their life and works.

Live or Virtual Concerts

Attend concerts in person, or stream performances. Invite musicians into classrooms or public spaces.

Create & Perform

Students try simple compositions or arrangements, or perform pieces. Use small ensembles.

Cross-disciplinary Projects

Pair music with history (how events affected composers), math (music structure), visual art (painting inspired by music), literature (poems about music or composers) etc.

Media / Film / Soundtracks

Study how classical music features in film, TV, games. Recognize themes; compare orchestral vs. synthesized versions.

Sheet Music & Public Domain Work

Use free / public domain sheet music. Learn about copyright and how many classical works are now freely accessible.

Sharing & Discussion

Listening clubs, group discussions: what moves you, what feels challenging, and why. Social media or school newsletters can be used to share favorites.

 

5. Internet-Based & Video Resources

Below are quality resources for streaming, videos, and materials to use in teaching or listening:

Resource

What It Offers & Example Links

Musopen

A nonprofit that provides public-domain recordings, sheet music, and educational materials. Good for access to older classical works. (Wikipedia)

Stockton Symphony “Celebrating Classical Music Month”

Their education page suggests 10 concrete ideas: attend concerts, create playlists, explore eras etc. (Stockton Symphony)

Music-Teacher-Resources (MTR)

Free teacher resources: listening activities, composer biographies. For example, resources for female composers (Amy Beach, Clara Schumann, etc.). (Music Teacher Resources)

Books & Films Lists

Libraries often curate reading & film lists for Classical Music Month. For example, The Classical Music Book (DK), Mozart in the Jungle, etc. (Livingston Public Library)

Videos / YouTube

- *Classical Music Month

Databases of Underrepresented Composers

The Boulanger Initiative is a database of women and gender-marginalized composers with scores & works. Helpful for diversifying what is presented. (Wikipedia)

 

6. Challenges and Things to Be Aware Of

• Accessibility: Live concerts may be expensive, remote, or unavailable. Streaming helps, but audio/video quality and licensing may vary.

• Relevance / Engagement: Some students or listeners may feel “classical music” is old or irrelevant. Need to connect to their taste, media they consume (film, games), or find works that resonate.

• Diversity & Representation: Historically, canon has focused on European male composers. Ensuring inclusivity (women, composers of color, non-Western, contemporary) is essential.

• Resource Constraints: Not all schools or communities have access to instruments, teachers, or high-quality recordings. Creative solutions (digital tools, collaborations) can help.

 

7. Recommendations / Action Plan

Here is a suggested plan for a school / community to get maximum educational impact during Classical Music Month:

1. Planning Before September

   • Choose themes (e.g. “Women composers”, or “Music in film”, or “Colonial to contemporary”)

   • Gather resources (videos, scores, guest musicians) and create a schedule.

   • Ensure representation: pick composers and works from diverse backgrounds.

2. During September (The Month Itself)

   • Kick off with an assembly or virtual meeting: what is Classical Music Month, why it matters.

   • Weekly composer spotlights.

   • Daily listening habit: e.g. 5-10 minutes of classical listening in class or as homework.

   • Performance / composition project.

   • Invite local musicians to perform (in class, in community).

   • Use technology: streaming concerts, videos, virtual tours of instrument makers or orchestras.

3. Assessment & Reflection

   • Encourage students to reflect: what changed in their perception of classical music? What did they learn?

   • Share with the wider community: student work, favorite pieces, performances.

   • Collect feedback on what resources / activities were most engaging or useful.

4. Sustainability

   • Try to build momentum so that music appreciation continues year-round, not just during one month.

   • Develop a small library of recordings, scores, and video links.

   • Maintain partnerships with local ensembles, community groups or music teachers.

 

8. Example Case Study: Stockton Symphony

To illustrate: Stockton Symphony has a “Celebrating Classical Music Month” page, which includes ten ways people can celebrate (e.g. attending their “Symphony Goes Wild” concert, creating playlists, exploring musical eras, etc.). (Stockton Symphony)
This serves as a good model — combining live events, educational resources, and audience participation.

 

9. Key Internet Links & Resources

• Stockton Symphony – Celebrating Classical Music Month event & education ideas. (Stockton Symphony)

• Classical WCRB blog — background on the proclamation and suggestions on listening / engagement. (classicalwcrb.org)

• Music Teacher Resources – free teaching materials for composers, listening activities. (Music Teacher Resources)

• Musopen.org — public domain recordings and sheet music. (Wikipedia)

• The Boulanger Initiative — database for women & gender-marginalized composers. (Wikipedia)

• YouTube Videos/Playlists: Classical Music Month | September, When Is Classical Music Month?, and playlists that give one piece per day through September. (YouTube)

 

Conclusion

Classical Music Month offers a wonderful opportunity to deepen appreciation for a genre that is foundational, rich, and still very much alive. With thoughtful programming, inclusive choices, and the use of modern multimedia tools, educators and communities can make the celebration both meaningful and inspiring. It’s not just about preserving tradition—it’s about letting classical music continue to evolve and touch lives.

 

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