Last Updated on 2025-10-18 | Originally Posted on 2023-10-20
Welcome
I created this challenge as a preparatory activity to our studio’s Halloween 2023 Piano Party. I’m leaving this up as a free studio resource for my studio as well as fellow teachers.
Check out the spooky recordings at the bottom of this page.
I created this challenge to give students a chance to win a raffle separate from the costume contest.
Activities
Play – Choose between a Halloween rote song (I used the Halloween Bundle of BlitzBooks by Samantha Coates) or a well-prepared repertoire piece.
Create – Draw a spooky picture, write a spooky poem, or compose a spooky piece.
Listen – Choose one or more pieces from the spooky recordings list below. Be prepared to tell me what you liked about the piece and perhaps answer a question about the piece.
Wear – You can wear a Halloween costume, or just something orange or black.
Do you hear them coming? Boo!
Happy Halloween!
My Halloween Haïku above is an example of the effort I seek. It can be simple as long as it shows some thought.
Listen to Your Choice of Spooky Recordings
Monster Mash (YouTube) – (Caution: Some of the Halloween imagery may not be appropriate for young children)
Danse Macabre by Camille Saint-Saëns (YouTube) – The Classic Halloween piece
Toccata and Fugue in D Minor (BWV 565) by J.S. Bach (YouTube) – Not intended to be scary, but it’s quite intimidating
Funeral March for a Marionette by Charles Gounod (Vimeo) – Eerily familiar performer
More Halloween Recordings
Amy Chaplin of the blog/podcast Piano Pantry published this Halloween Classical Music Playlist that you may also enjoy.
