SCHOOL NEWS
This year in music class, Crissey Elementary School students are being offered the opportunity to learn about different musicians throughout the school year as part of a year-long unit called “Artist of the Month.” Our January artist of the month is Claude Debussy. He was born August 22, 1862, in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France, and died on March 25, 1918, in Paris, France.
Mr. Debussy was a French impressionist composer. He showed musical talent at a young age and was admitted to the Conservatorie de Paris, a prestigious music college, at age 10. Mr. Debussy is known mainly for his instrumental works, distinctive moods, feelings and scenery he created within them.
Other interesting facts about Mr. Debussy:
•He was obsessed with artwork.
•He is associated with the impressionist era of artwork (artists such as Monet, Degas and Van Gogh), but he strongly rejected the title of impressionistic composer.
•He died of cancer at the age of 55, at the height of his career.
•Sadly, his only daughter Claude-Emma died a year after Debussy. She was only 13 years old.
•He wrote a piece dedicated to his daughter called “Children’s Corner.”
•His most famous piece is arguably “Clair de lune,” which has gained a new audience through many movie soundtracks and TV commercials.
