The Hens, Roosters, and Swan

The Carnival of the Animals

The Hens, Roosters, and Swan

Multiple Choice

What is the group of songs, "The Carnival of the Animals" called?

• a composer

• a suite

• a song

Hens and Roosters

Hens and Roosters are extremely active animals, and they can also be extremely loud. Are there any other characteristics of chickens that you can think of? The song we're going to listen to was created to describe what chickens are like, through music.

Multiple Select

What two characteristics of the music reminded you of hens and roosters?

• The music was loud

• The music was soft

• The music was fast

• The music was slow

The Swan

Swans are calm animals, most of the time. They live in the water and glide gracefully through the water in which they live. These animals are usually quiet, however if there is ever a predator that tries to attack their young, they will fight the predator off to protect their young.

Open Ended

How did this song remind you of Swans? What dynamics did you hear in this song that demonstrated the characteristics of swans?

Camille Saint-Saens

The composer of the Carnival of the Animals wrote this suite, or group of songs, in 1868. However, these songs were not published until 1922, which is the year after Saint-Saens died. Do you remember why these pieces were not published right away?

This was because Saint-Saens was worried that people would not take him seriously as a composer because of these pieces.

Open Ended

Why do you think that Camille Saint-Saens was concerned that he would not be taken seriously if the "Carnival of the Animals" was published in his lifetime? What would you do if you were to compose songs that may seem silly or may not be taken seriously?