Nutcracker movement activitiy

“Trepak” from The Nutcracker Movement Activity

Jessica Peresta ELEMENTARY MUSIC BLOG

When I think of Christmas, I think of the Christmas story, Christmas trees, presents, lights, caroling, hot chocolate, family, and The Nutcracker ballet.  The Nutcracker ballet was written by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1892.  Trepak is one of the most widely known Russian dances from the Nutcracker suite.

One of my favorite movement representations of this piece is in Disney’s Fantasia.  I would love to introduce you to Trepak if you have never heard it before (and be sure to listen to the all of The Nutcracker music because it is awesome or go to the ballet if you get the chance.)  Enjoy this fun Nutcracker elementary music lesson I have attached that your students will love and will get them moving!  Not to mention, if you are looking for an inside activity on those cold days, this is perfect!

 

“Trepak” Movement Activity

 

A Section:

A section is the purple hats, red hats, red hats, orange hats.

Movement:

Jump Clap Clap Clap (2x)

Step out to the right (2x) Step out to the left (2x)

REPEAT ALL MOVEMENT 4 times until you see the white dancers come in.

B Section:

B section is white dancers, yellow dancers, blue dancers, pink dancers.

Pat Clap Pat Clap (2x)

March (8x)

REPEAT ALL MOVEMENT 2 times

Interlude:

Interlude is yellow hats, red hats, orange hats, purple hats, red hats, orange hats, purple hats, white hats.

Jump and freeze, jump and freeze, jump,      jump,       jump, jump, jump, jump.   

Back to A Section (but change a little)

Last A section is partner dancers.

Jump Clap Clap Clap (2x)

Step out to the right (2x) Step out to the left (2x) 

Step out to the right (2x) Step out to the left (2x)

March in place-right left right left right left right left (2x)

 

teaching composers to kids

 

Have you ever been the The Nutcracker ballet?  What was your favorite part of the experience?

 

Nutcracker movement activity

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Jessica Peresta

I'm passionate about providing music teachers with the music education resources, lesson plans, teacher training, and community you've been looking for. I believe your domestic life should be spent soaking up time with family and friends and your music teacher life while at school should not leave you feeling defeated, but should be a joyful, exciting, and rewarding experience. To find out more about me and my passion behind starting The Domestic Musician, click on the "about" tab on my website.

9 thoughts to ““Trepak” from The Nutcracker Movement Activity”

  1. Thank you!! I used this in my k, 1st and 2nd grade music classrooms today and they all LOVED it! It was so fun and I felt they really got to ‘feel’ the change in the music. Thanks again!

  2. This will be great for my littles at home- just the right amount of difficulty for them! I love using movement to reinforce the concept of form, and this time of year we need all the movement we can get! 😉 Thank you for sharing and linking up- always love reading your ideas!

  3. How fun, thank you! I’ll have to do this with my little ones, they’ll love it. I took my 4 year old daughter last year for the first time (she was three at the time) and she loved most of it, but then she fell asleep. I think it was just too late for her. 🙂

    1. Haha! That sounds like something my kids would do. Your kids will love this activity! Dancing is so much fun!

  4. Love this combination of music and movement! Already pinned this so I will remember to use it with my daughter. She is obsessed with the music from the Nutcracker!

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