Handel Activities

Handel was a bit tougher to sell to my boys than Vivaldi was. At first everything was going very well. We listened to the Classical Kids version of Hallelujah Handel in the car again, which they definitely enjoyed. (Chalk one up for mom!)








The book I read to them the next day as a follow up was charming as well. (They loved the illustrations.)

Next, I went to our local library and borrowed a few other books on Handel from the juvenile biography section, and asked the 11 & 13 year olds to just "look over" them (which they know means to read only the pictures -- but their curiosity usually hooks them into reading a little bit more!) (sneaky mom trick!)





We also borrowed this wonderful movie from the library, and made it be our "feature film" for our regular Sunday family night movie. Quite enjoyable for our whole family, especially with lots of buttered popcorn! I highly recommend watching this film as an introduction to this composer.

I borrowed three Handel CDs from the library, and played one of them every morning for a week. I love Baroque music, and his Water Music and Music for the Royal Fireworks were very well received over here. I love it when I hear our youngest, Joseph, humming along to the classical music as he plays!

Then after a few days I put on a CD of Messiah highlights (not the entire oratorio, only the 20 or so best-loved numbers). Some sections they really liked -- like the Hallelujah chorus, for instance -- but overall, it was a tough sell. The operatic ornamentations (Every valley shall be exal....halhal....hal...hal..halhalhalted) didn't go over very well, as might be expected. (Sigh) Oh well. I explained that opera is an acquired taste, and reminded them (again) that the Baroque period was known for its ornamentations. Fortunately for me, the above film had hooked them in, and they did really enjoy a few of the musical selections. It helped that I had printed out the libretto so they could follow the words better, and that I played only about 6 or so selections a day.

Arts integration ideas:

Religion: Review with your children the prophecies of the coming Messiah found in Isaiah, the angel/shepard references in Luke, and the "Behold the Lamb of God" quotations from the books of Matthew & John in the first section. Then play Part One.

The next day review the biblical references for Part Two, The Passion of the Redeemer, and then play the music. Let them follow the libretto.

Finally, on the third day, review the quote from Job "I know that my Redeemer liveth". Follow up with the joyful tenets of our faith from 1st Corinthians and Revelation, and then marvel together at the joy found in this inspired work in Part Three.

It makes all the difference in the world when the children know the Biblical references and can follow the libretto. It's not important, to me anyway, that my children hang on every word... I just reviewed it with them for about ten minutes, taking turns looking up different quotes, then played the music and left the libretto on the kitchen table while they continued with breakfast. Afterward, ask them what they thought and what they liked.

Handwriting: Pick one of the Bible verses for handwriting practice as you listen to the day's selection.

Geography: Read one of the children's biographies about Handel. He loved to travel, and did so extensively. Chart his travels on an outline map, along with the year.

History: Show the line of succession of George I, the first Hanover king of England. How ironic a twist of fate that Handel's former employer, from whom he ran away, would soon reign over him again as King!

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