The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra

Busy Kids Love Music

Welcome back to Busy Kids Love Music! In this episode, we continue our three-part series on the British composer Benjamin Britten. Today, we’re diving into one of his most exciting and educational pieces, The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra. This composition is beloved by music teachers and conductors alike for its engaging way of introducing listeners to the various sections of an orchestra.

Benjamin Britten created The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra in 1946 to help kids learn about orchestral instruments. He based the main theme on a melody by composer Henry Purcell, and then used variations and a lively fugue to let each section of the orchestra shine. Join us as we explore the sounds of woodwinds, brass, strings, and percussion, learning how each contributes to the orchestra’s full and layered sound.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• Britten’s commitment to composing for young performers
• How he used Henry Purcell’s theme to introduce listeners to the orchestra
• What a “variation” is and how it changes a theme in small but creative ways
• The unique sounds of each orchestra section: woodwinds, brass, strings, and percussion
• How Britten uses a “fugue” to bring all the instruments together at the end

Music Excerpts Featured:

Benjamin Britten - The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra

Listen & Learn: If you’d like to hear The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra in its entirety, I've linked a full performance here.

Next Episode: In our next episode, airing in December, we’ll explore Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols, a beautiful Christmastime piece featuring a children’s choir and a harp. Don’t miss it!

Thank You for Listening! Thank you for joining us today! Tune in again in two weeks as we continue discovering the magical world of classical music with our series on Benjamin Britten.

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