Instructions
Read through the activities below to learn about some amazing modern cellists who are changing the way people think about the cello. Do your best to answer all the questions!
Activity 1: Match the Musician
Draw a line to match the cellist on the left with their correct description on the right.
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Activity 2: Fill in the Blanks
Use the words from the word bank to complete the paragraph about Sheku Kanneh-Mason.
Sheku Kanneh-Mason is a brilliant young cellist from the United Kingdom. He comes from a very musical ____________________, with six talented brothers and sisters! In 2016, he won the BBC Young Musician of the Year ______________, which helped launch his career. While he is a master of ____________________ music, he also loves to create his own unique ____________________ of popular songs, like "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen or songs by Bob Marley. He hopes to ____________________ other young people from all backgrounds to pick up an instrument and enjoy making music.
Activity 3: Cello Word Search
Find and circle the words hidden in the grid. Words can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal.
| Y | O | Y | O | M | A | S | G | N | I |
| S | O | L | N | O | P | T | W | C | O |
| C | R | A | D | D | R | R | C | L | L |
| L | H | S | R | E | O | I | L | A | L |
| A | R | E | W | R | C | N | E | S | E |
| S | W | P | O | N | K | G | C | S | C |
| S | K | O | B | T | I | S | T | I | P |
| I | M | P | Y | A | U | G | R | C | O |
| C | H | I | T | R | N | M | I | B | P |
| A | U | S | V | O | B | O | N | L | S |
- CLASSICAL
- CELLO
- POP
- ROCK
- ELECTRIC
- YO-YO MA
- STRINGS
- BOW
Activity 4: Your Opinion
Modern cellists often use their instruments in new and unexpected ways. Tina Guo, for example, often uses effects pedals with her electric cello, similar to an electric guitar player.
Do you think it's important for musicians to experiment with new sounds and styles, or should they stick to tradition? Explain your thinking in a few sentences.
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Answer Key
Activity 1: Match the Musician
- Yo-Yo Ma → C. One of the most famous cellists in the world, he started the "Silk Road Ensemble" to bring musicians from different cultures together.
- 2CELLOS → A. This dynamic duo from Croatia became famous for their high-energy rock and pop covers.
- Sheku Kanneh-Mason → B. A young British cellist who became world-famous after performing at the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
- Tina Guo → D. Known for playing an electric cello, she has recorded music for huge movie and video game soundtracks like Wonder Woman and Journey.
Activity 2: Fill in the Blanks
Sheku Kanneh-Mason is a brilliant young cellist from the United Kingdom. He comes from a very musical family, with six talented brothers and sisters! In 2016, he won the BBC Young Musician of the Year award, which helped launch his career. While he is a master of classical music, he also loves to create his own unique arrangements of popular songs, like "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen or songs by Bob Marley. He hopes to inspire other young people from all backgrounds to pick up an instrument and enjoy making music.
Activity 3: Cello Word Search
(The solution shows where the words are located.)
| Y | O | Y | O | M | A | S | G | N | I |
| S | O | L | N | O | P | T | W | C | O |
| C | R | A | D | D | R | I | C | L | R |
| L | H | S | R | E | O | N | E | A | O |
| A | R | E | W | R | C | G | L | S | C |
| S | W | P | O | P | K | S | E | S | K |
| S | K | O | B | T | I | S | C | I | P |
| I | M | P | O | A | U | G | T | C | O |
| C | E | L | L | O | N | M | R | B | P |
| A | U | S | V | O | B | O | I | L | S |
Activity 4: Your Opinion
(Answers will vary based on the student's personal opinion. Encourage any thoughtful response. A good answer might mention that both tradition and experimentation are valuable for keeping music alive and interesting for new generations.)