Steven Isserlis Worksheet for 11-Year-Olds — Cello, Biography & Listening Activities (KS2)

Instructions

Read the short biography about the famous musician Steven Isserlis. Once you have finished reading, use the information to complete the fun activities that follow!

Who is Steven Isserlis?

Steven Isserlis is one of the world's most famous and beloved cellists. Born in London, England, he comes from a family filled with musicians. He is known not just for his incredible talent but also for his passionate and energetic way of playing the cello.

What makes Steven Isserlis special? For one, he prefers to play on gut strings rather than the more common modern steel strings. Gut strings are made from natural materials and were used on instruments hundreds of years ago. They give his cello a warmer, richer, and more historical sound. He is also famous for his distinctive long, curly hair and his friendly personality.

But he's not just a performer! Steven Isserlis is also a talented author. He has written two wonderful books for young people called "Why Beethoven Threw the Stew" and "Why Handel Waggled His Wig." In these books, he tells funny and fascinating stories about the lives of famous composers like Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven, making classical music exciting and easy to understand. He has won many awards for his music, including a CBE from the Queen, which is a very high honour in the United Kingdom.

Activity 1: Fact Finder

Answer the following questions based on the text you just read.

1. What instrument is Steven Isserlis famous for playing?


2. What kind of strings does he prefer to use on his instrument, and what kind of sound do they create?


3. Besides playing music, what other creative activity does Steven Isserlis do?


4. Which one of these composers is mentioned as a subject in his books?
   • a) Taylor Swift
   • b) Vivaldi
   • c) Mozart
   • d) John Williams


5. What special honour did he receive from the Queen?

Activity 2: Musical Word Scramble

Unscramble these words related to Steven Isserlis and his musical world.

1. L L E O C   ->   ____________________


2. C S M U I   ->   ____________________


3. T G U   S G I N R T S   ->   ____________________


4. H A B C   ->   ____________________


5. U T A H O R   ->   ____________________

Activity 3: Creative Corner

Steven Isserlis loves telling stories about composers. Imagine you are writing a short story for a book like his. Pick your favourite musician or composer (from any genre!) and write three interesting or funny "facts" about them below. They can be real or imagined!

Musician/Composer: ____________________

1. ___________________________________________________________________


2. ___________________________________________________________________


3. ___________________________________________________________________

Answer Key

Activity 1: Fact Finder

1. He is famous for playing the cello.
2. He prefers to use gut strings, which create a warmer and richer sound.
3. He is an author who writes books for young people.
4. c) Mozart
5. He received a CBE (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire).

Activity 2: Musical Word Scramble

1. CELLO
2. MUSIC
3. GUT STRINGS
4. BACH
5. AUTHOR

Activity 3: Creative Corner

Answers will vary based on the student's creativity and chosen musician.