This document provides information about Aaron Copland's Billy the Kid Suite, including details about the composer, the composition, and the story it depicts. Aaron Copland was an American composer from the 20th century who wrote the suite for a ballet about the life of the real-life figure Billy the Kid. The suite consists of five sections depicting scenes from Billy's time in New Mexico as he witnesses a fight that leads to his mother's death, after which he joins the ranks of Wild West outlaws as a murderer.

1. Billy the Kid Suite

3. Composition: Billy the Kid Suite Composer: Aaron Copland Dates: 1900-1990 Country: America Form: suite

4. I. Composer Information A. Aaron Copland grew up in Brooklyn , NY. B. Early Life 1. He wrote his first composition at the age of 8 .

5. 2. At age 15, he decided to become a composer . 3. At age 21 , he went to France to study composition

6. 1500 1600 Renaissance Baroque Musical Era Timeline

7. 1700 1800 Classical Romantic

8. 1900 Contemporary

9. B. Historical Background 1. Copland was a composer of the Contemporary Era in music.

10. II. Composition Information A. Aaron Copland wrote this music for a ballet in 5 weeks. He used cowboy or folk songs as the basis for the music.

11. Definition: ballet --a story told through dance .

12. 1. This composition is in the form of a suite--a collection of pieces from a larger work.

13. B. Story and Themes 1. Billy the Kid's real name was William Bonney . He was born in Brooklyn , NY about the time of the Civil War ( 1860 's)

14. When he was 12 years old, he moved with his mother to New Mexico .

15. 2. Billy comes into town with his mother. There are people walking around town, rowdy cowboys, dancing senoritas.

16. a. Great Grand-dad Meter: 2 Instruments: piccolo solo

17. b. Dogie Song -- Meter: 2 . Instruments: introduced by trumpet and oboe

18. c. Old Chisholm Trail --Meter: 4 . Instruments: introduced by strings

19. d. Jarabe-- Meter: 5 . Instruments: trumpet

20. e. Goodbye Old Paint -- Meter: 3 . Instruments: introduced by strings .

21. 3. A fight breaks out, and a stray bullet kills Billy's mother. Billy then snatches a knife from one of the men and stabs his mother's killer . Because he is now a murderer , Billy becomes wanted by the law and joins the ranks of Wild West outlaws .