Nutcracker Performance Ideas
Teaching Procedures
Nutcracker Story
Tchaikovsky Composer Video
Watch the video to learn about the composer of The Nutcracker.
"Chinese Dance" with Red, White, and Green Paper Plates
This is a very simple choreography that you could do with your youngest students.
We filmed the video on a green screen, so used blue plates instead of green. (so you
can see them!)
The pattern is as follows:
1. circle with both plates 4 times
2. "march" the plates L R L R L R L R
ending: march up and hold
The pattern is done in this color order: red, white, green, white, red & green, all colors.
For the ending, "march" the plates up and hold
Invite your students to create new patterns!
View a Listening Map for "Chinese Dance"
View a listening map for "Chinese Dance"
Move with Scarves to "Trepak" from The Nutcracker
Move with scarves to "Trepak" from The Nutcracker
A new video will be coming soon.
Try doing this with white scarves under black lights!
Use White Scarves Under Black Lights for a Really Interesting Performance of "Trepak"
Use white scarves under black lights for a really interesting performance of "Trepak."
The white scarves used were pieces of white netting purchased at a fabric store.
"Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy"
Teach the rhythm pattern. Students could clap, tap or play it on instruments.
(The ending is a little different than the rhythm of the original work)
When students are confident, listen to the audio and play this pattern each time it occurs. Keep the beat on all other parts.
Intro - 4 measures (16 beats)
play pattern 3x
play beat for 16 measures, then rest during the "swirly" celeste part.
play pattern 3x
keep the beat for 4 measures (16 beats)
Give each student 2 paper plates, and copy the choreography in the video.
Plate Choreography for "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy"
Copy the choreography in the video.
Learn the Choreography for "Waltz of the Flowers" from the Video
Learn the choreography for Waltz of the Flowers from the video
Learn Page 1 of "March" from The Nutcracker
Learn page 1 of "March" from The Nutcracker.
Learn Page 2 of "March" from The Nutcracker
Learn page 2 of March from The Nutcracker.
Learn Page 4 of "March" from The Nutcracker
Learn page 4 of "March" from The Nutcracker.
Play Along with the "March" from The Nutcracker Video
Play along with the "March" from The Nutcracker video.
Black Light Performance Idea for "March" from The Nutcracker
Black Light performance idea for March from the Nutcracker.
This took some experimenting.
Fluorescent spray paint on sticks and bucket was what eventually worked.