Education
Our What's the Score? program at Byram Hills High School, Armonk, NY
School and Community Programs
Copland House provides high quality educational experiences for people of all ages. Our innovative, affordable programs -- both real and virtual -- for schools, libraries, educational organizations, and community groups:
- nurture creativity, enhance the lives and academic experiences of young people, and are a tangible investment in America's future and the robust health of music and the arts;
- stimulate imaginative thinking, acute listening, deductive reasoning, and collaborative work habits; and
- bring our charismatic, internationally-acclaimed teaching artists to young people, 2nd grade through college, in age- and content-appropriate programs built around American music.
Single Sessions
Flight to Freedom: The Story of Margaret Garner
Jorell Williams and Krysty Swann singing in Flight to Freedom
In-school version of the widely-acclaimed opera by Grammy Award-winning composer Richard Danielpour and Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison based on an infamous Civil War-era fugitive slave story. Followed by an optional 35' breakout discussion.
10th grade and above
Sounds of the Dragon: A Chinese-American Musical Harvest
Performance by the Music from China and Music from Copland House ensembles on Asian and European instruments exploring the bridging of Eastern and Western music, language, history, literature, and culture, followed by optional discussions and break-out sessions with the performers.
6th grade and above
The Dot and the Line
Performance of the musical setting by composer Robert Xavier Rodriguez of author Norton Juster’s classic “Romance in Lower Mathematics,” with explorations of geometry, language, and tone painting. With optional individual or group sessions with the performers, and demonstration of the 26 percussion instruments used in the work.
5th grade and lower middle school
Emily's World
Performances of songs set to Dickinson poems, with discussions about her writings on nature, friendships, places, gardens, food, and other subjects.
5th grade and above
Aaron Copland
Lecture about Copland and his historic role in creating an American musical idiom, illustrated with live performances at the piano, audio recordings, and films.
5th grade and above
Write a Song About It!
Basics of composing, interacting with words, images, concepts, and thoughts.
4th grade & above
Around the World with ...
Journeys inspired by different cultures, customs, and sounds.
3rd thru 5th grades
Music in the Dark
Illustrated lecture exploring film music and the mix of sound and image.
9th grade & above
Single or Multiple Sessions
Coaching for Student Performing Ensembles
Resident Jerome Kitzke with Primrose School students, Somers, NY
Master classes, instrumental and vocal workshops, or lecture-demonstrations.
5th grade and above
Music from the Inside Out
De-mystify composing and encourage creativity through in-school visits by Copland House composers, who explore their work, often creating music on the spot.
5th grade and above
Concerts and discussions
Informal performances by the Music from Copland House ensemble, with discussions about music, composers, and careers in the arts.
2nd grade and above
Multiple Sessions
Resident Lisa DeSpain and the Hendrick Hudson HS Band & Chorus, Montrose, NY
What's the Score?
2015 YALE DISTINGUISHED MUSIC EDUCATOR AWARD. Composers commissioned to collaborate with students through in visits, to create an intermediate-level piece of music together, culminating in the World Premiere public performance of the new work by student ensembles.
6th grade and above
College Programs
In his memoirs, Aaron Copland wrote of “living in a continuing state of self-discovery. I wished others could share in that adventure.” Copland House’s award-winning, multi-faceted programs for colleges, universities, schools of music, and conservatories extend and enhance Copland’s belief that “art ... gives substance and meaning to life as we live it.” Music from Copland House (MCH), hailed by The New York Times for “all the richness of its offerings” and “illuminating essential truths about the music,” has worked on campuses across North America, including the Universities of Louisville, Buffalo, Vermont, and South Carolina, Brandeis and Auburn Universities, the State University of New York, Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, and many others, and is in residence at Yale College every other year.
Recipient of the Yale Distinguished Music Educator Award, MCH’s on-campus program menu is varied, and can be specifically configured to meet the needs and interests of each school. Its activities can be organized around a single visit of a few days or multiple visits throughout an academic year, and include:
Concerts
Formal and/or informal performances
Master classes
With student performers or composers
Lectures
Various musical, cultural, and historical subjects
Side-by-side performances
With student instrumentalists, vocalists, or ensembles
Themed workshops
Immersive explorations on specific or general topics
Student composer readings
Cross-disciplinary educational and performance projects
Career workshops
Sessions on music business and entrepreneurism
Outreach presentations to local community organizations and schools
Visits to Rock Hill
Field trips to Copland’s longtime home, to learn about American music and this iconic composer’s life, work, and historic influence.
3rd grade and above
For more information, fees, other programs, and to schedule activities, contact Copland House at 914.788.4659 or
What They Say
Exposing our students to the opera Margaret Garner was an amazing experience! The response was thought-provoking and constructive. I particularly loved the fact that cast members joined us in our discussion afterwards. I received much positive feedback from our group—they felt that the opera enabled them to emotionally connect with the performance and the story. Thank you for bringing such a rich and rewarding experience to our school.
Corinne Rogulski, Social Studies teacher, Hendrick Hudson High School, Montrose, NY
Michael Boriskin in Copland's studio with Buchanan-Verplanck School students
The composer visits were a memorable highlight, and several students now studying music and composition in college have returned to visit, remembering the composer workshop as a factor in deciding to continue studying music.
Robert Freeberg, Band Director, New Rochelle High School, New Rochelle, NY
Thank you for a truly wonderful concert and presentation. The students and teachers are still talking about your visit and your beautiful performances!
Dace Aperans, Music teacher, Quaker Ridge Elementary School, Scarsdale, NY
Thank you so very much for graciously letting our choir visit and perform at the amazing Copland House. The experience I had there will never be forgotten. Not only was the house so spectacularly intriguing but the information you shared with us really gave me a whole new view of this musical giant.
Elijah O., Member, C.D. West High School Choir, Doylestown, PA
Donate to Education
Copland House's educational activities are made possible by contributions from donors like you.