Appalachian Spring

• Polina Mann
• Posted 5/24/21
• 0 comments

A Comparison of Classical and Modern Ballet 

Suggested Grades: 3-5, 6-8 

National Core Arts Standards 

#7 – Perceive and analyze artistic work 
#8 – Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work. 

Objectives 

Compare and contrast Classical and Modern Ballet in this ballet listening lesson.

Materials  

• Book: Ballet for Martha, Making of Appalachian Spring by YouTube Recordings (See Reference List)
• Recording: Simple Gifts 

Historical Context

Appalachian Spring is a groundbreaking historical work of art in American history.  Appalachian Spring features the collaboration between three artistic powerhouses: dancer/choreographer Martha Graham, composer Aaron Copland, and architect Isamu Noguchi. Martha Graham commissioned this work from Aaron Copland, requesting a uniquely American theme that celebrated early pioneer life in the 19th century. This score and accompanying ballet achieved widespread acclaim.  Most of this lesson will be examining what made the ballet sound and feel American, how it was different from traditional Classical ballet and how it influenced ballet going forward. 

Suggested Teaching Process 

1. Listen to the piece “Simple Gifts.”  
2. Discuss the meanings of the lyrics.  
   What did they mean to the settlers who were going westward in America in the 1900s?  
3. Read the book “Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring.”  
4. Introduce the characters of the ballet.  
5. Discuss why Martha’s ballet different than classical ballet (p.8) 
6. Watch the beginning of “Appalachian Spring”  

7. Discuss Isamu Noguchi’s set.  

• What do you see?  
• Why is it designed this way?  
• What is it trying to represent? 

8. Observe and discuss the style of dance Martha choreographed. 

• What do you notice in their movements? 
•  How is ballet style different from traditional Classical ballet?  
• What do some of these movements represent? (I.e., when they clasp hands in prayer, jump to the sky, etc.)   

10. Discuss the students’ observations about how the classical ballet style in this video is different. 

• Classical dancers wear a tutu, whereas Martha and her dancers do not. 
• Classical dancers wear pointe shoes and walk on their toes, whereas Martha and her dancers do not. 
• One film is in color; the other one is in black and white. 
• Martha’s dancers rise and fall and do many sudden movements, whereas Classical ballet stays relatively even without rising and falling, and the movements are very graceful. 

11. Prompt discussion about the structure of ballet.  

• Do all dancers dance at the same time?  
• Why do some dancers wait while others dance?  

Extension 

Explore how Martha Graham influenced future female choreographers, namely Twyla Tharp. Show a clip from her ballet called “Twyla Tharp’s in the Upper Room” and discuss how her work parallels Martha Graham’s choreography. 

This lesson can also be included in sub plans.

References

• Greenberg, J., Jordan, S., Browne, J., & Floca, B. (2010). Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring. New York, NY: RB/Flash Point. 
• Danceonfilm. (2010, January 11). Martha Graham’s Appalachian Spring Part 1/4. Retrieved April 02, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmgaKGSxQVw 
• RoyalOperaHouse. (2017, December 01). Dance of the sugar plum fairy from the nutcracker (the royal ballet). Retrieved April 02, 2021, from  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV1qLYukTH8 
• Kansascityballet. (2019, May 29). Twyla Tharp’s in the Upper Room | Kansas City Ballet. Retrieved April 02, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXObzKulJPA 
• Silentgreybox. (2020, July 11). Appalachian spring (1958 Television Performance). Retrieved April 02, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nM5-CsI713g 
• R. (n.d.). Simple Gifts. Retrieved April 02, 2021, from https://open.spotify.com/search/simple%20gifts