Education Package: Videos, PowerPoints, Activities & School Field Trips
The videos, powerpoint, lesson plans and extension activities included in this teaching package, presented by the Friends of Music Hall, celebrate Cincinnati Music Hall and those who had the vision, talent and skills to design and construct this beautiful, National Historic Landmark building.
- Three videos spotlight talented musicians who perform for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. The fourth video features the Mighty Wurlitzer organ.
- A powerpoint features the women who carved the wooden panels that were used to cover the historic Hook and Hastings organ.
- Lesson plans and extension activities teach how to use a primary source to answer questions and how to create a timeline.
Goals of this Teaching Package:
- Music and the artwork within Music Hall are featured in the videos and powerpoint to share beauty, harmony and expression of emotions with students. They are aligned with Fine Arts/Music and Social/Emotional Ohio State Learning Standards for grades 3-6. The powerpoint is also aligned with Social Studies Ohio State Learning Standards for grades 3-6.
- Lesson plans and extension activities include age appropriate lessons that are connected to the skills and content outlined in the Social Studies Ohio State Learning Standards for grades 3-6.
PowerPoint Lesson
The Story of Cincinnati Music Hall and the Talented Women Wood Carvers
From the very beginning Music Hall brought the citizens of Cincinnati together and provided a vibrant space for the performing arts. This powerpoint will help students appreciate the work that went into building such a magnificent space. Learn the early history of Music Hall; the Hook and Hastings organ and the decorative wood panels; the women who carved the panels and the challenges they faced; and what happened to the organ and the carved panels.
Activity-Based Lessons
Use a Primary Source Activity Up In a Balloon Above Music Hall
This activity is based on the Friends of Music Hall blog post “Up In A Balloon Above Music Hall - 1886 Bird’s Eye View of Cincinnati” and teaches how to answer questions using a chart and pictures. Additional activities about architecture use diversity and inclusion skills.
Create a Timeline Activity Cincinnati 1800-1900
Create a timeline for the years 1800-1900; place the story of Cincinnati Music Hall within the context of 19th century events; develop a sense of change over time as it relates to cities in the US, including Cincinnati; and learn about immigration and how to create maps.
Educational Program Subscription: Beyond the Performance
Below, you can preview three of the Beyond the Performance Videos included in our Educational Program Subscription package. To find out more information and register for the subscription package, please visit this Link.
Beyond the Performance: Beethoven to Jazz with the Bass
Featuring CSO musician Matt Zory on Bass, the full video, found in our education subscription, runs 13 minutes and includes beautiful views of Springer Auditorium from the Music Hall stage. A prepared lesson plan also accompanies this video.
Beyond the Performance: Viola Dreams
Features CSO/CCM Diversity Fellow Edna Pierce, and shows how one young Cincinnati musician is following her dream to someday join a professional orchestra. A bonus Spanish language feature is included at the end of the video. Peak inside the Corbett Tower room and learn its interesting history. The full video, found in our education subscription, runs 14 minutes. A prepared lesson plan also accompanies this video.
Beyond the Performance: French Horn Harmony
Featuring CSO musicians Lisa Conway and Elizabeth Freimuth on French horn. The art carved wood panels located in the Taft Suite at Music Hall are also highlighted in this video, and the full version, found in our education subscription, runs 16 minutes. A prepared lesson plan also accompanies this video.
Beyond the Performance: The Mighty Wurlitzer Organ
This 13-minute video showcases the Mighty Wurlitzer organ, now permanently installed in the Music Hall Ballroom. Watch a short performance on the organ, and go behind-the-scenes to see how it works. The full video, found in our education subscription package, includes different musical tempos and styles and illustrates how sound is produced on the organ. A prepared lesson plan also accompanies this video.
Student Field Trips: A Look Inside Cincinnati's Iconic Music Hall
Treat your students to an interactive learning experience inside Cincinnati’s historic Music Hall. They will learn about music, Cincinnati history, immigration, architecture and the women art carver’s movement all wrapped up in the magnificent package of Music Hall. Students will visit several unique spaces in Music Hall where they will participate in hands-on activities with trained tour guides. Current COVID-19 procedures will be followed for all indoor field trips.
Curriculum: M, SS, VA, SEL
Recommended grades: 3-6
Length: 60 to 75 minutes for field trips
Offered: Second Tuesdays and Second Saturdays
Maximum audience: 15 for field trips
Cost: $5 per student for field trips (fee waivers are available)
Find out more about the School Programs by calling (513) 744-3293, or by emailing musichalltour@friendsofmusichall.org.
Ohio Learning Standards Covered:
Fine Arts/Music
- 3rd grade – (1) Express how elements of music (dynamic, tempo) communicate feelings, moods,
images and meaning; (2) Explain personal preferences for specific music selections using music
vocabulary. - 4th-6th grades – (1) Using elements of music, describe the connection between emotion and
music in selected musical works. - 3rd-4th grades: (1) Identify the four families of orchestral instruments visually and aurally; (2)
Follow and respond to the cues of a conductor.
Social and Emotional - 3rd-5th grades – Identify a range of personal emotions
6th grade – Identify, recognize and name personal complex emotions
Special Thanks to The Friends of Music Hall Children’s Committee:
- Linda Kiefer, Chair: retired history teacher, Cincinnati Public Schools and Shanghai Singapore International School
- Becky Moeggenberg: retired editor and dance enthusiast
- Lynne Reckman: retired clinical social worker and amateur horn player