Classical Music for the Seasons Music for the Seasons    

Lesson 16: Traditional Carol - Deck the Halls

Performer: Michel Rondeau

Directions

Study the musical selection for one week.

Over the week:

• Each day, listen to the musical selection.
• Practice reciting the title of the composition and the composer's name.
• Read the synopsis.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Study the review questions.

Synopsis

This week, you'll continue listening to selections that embody the Christmas season. For those who celebrate Christmas, enjoy this music while baking Christmas cookies, hanging stockings, decorating your tree, or opening presents. Deck the Halls is a traditional Christmas carol. The song implores listeners to decorate, to sing, and to spread good cheer for the Christmas season. This piece is an arrangement for brass instruments. Brass instruments include the trumpet and the trombone and are often made of brass.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Describe the Music

After listening to the music, describe and discuss what you heard.

Read the list of adjectives below. Select those that describe the music or think up additional adjectives.

• Happy
• Sad
• Quiet
• Loud
• Fast
• Slow
• Scary
• Dreamy
• Magical
• Rhythmic
• Dignified

Activity 2: Deck the Halls Lyrics

As you listen to the music, read the partial listing of lyrics for 'Deck the Halls' below.

• Deck the hall with boughs of holly,
• Fa la la la la la la la la.
• 'Tis the season to be jolly,
• Fa la la la la la la la la.


• Don we now our gay apparel
• Fa la la la la la la la la.
• Troll (Circulate or spread) the ancient Christmas carol,
• Fa la la la la la la la la.

Activity 3: Holly Sketch

• One day this week, as you listen to the music, color, draw, or sketch the holly shown below.

Activity 4: Trumpet Sketch

• One day this week, as you listen to the music, color, draw, or sketch the trumpet shown below.

Review

Question 1

What is the title of the music?

1 / 3

Answer 1

The title is 'Deck the Halls.'

1 / 3

Question 2

What is 'Deck the Halls' about?

2 / 3

Answer 2

'Deck the Halls' is about decorating, singing, and spreading good cheer during the Christmas season.

2 / 3

Question 3

What type of instruments is used to play 'Deck the Halls' in this piece?

3 / 3

Answer 3

Brass instruments are used to play 'Deck the Halls.'

3 / 3

❮ ❯

1. What is the title of the music? The title is 'Deck the Halls.'
2. What is 'Deck the Halls' about? 'Deck the Halls' is about decorating, singing, and spreading good cheer during the Christmas season.
3. What type of instruments is used to play 'Deck the Halls' in this piece? Brass instruments are used to play 'Deck the Halls.'

References

'Deck the Halls.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.