Maurice Ravel fact sheet for kids
A free printable fact sheet about Maurice Ravel (1875 to 1937): quick facts, a short life story, three pieces to hear, and room to write and draw.
Maurice Ravel lived from 1875 to 1937. Ravel was born near the border of France and Spain. He wrote Mother Goose as piano duets for two children he knew. He was skilled at choosing which instrument plays each tune.
How to use this sheet
Read the story at the top out loud. Then play the first piece on the list. The line under each title says what to listen for. Tick the box when the piece ends.
Play the other two pieces on other days. One piece at a time is enough. At the end of the week, the child writes what they heard and draws a picture. Search the composer's name and the title on any streaming service or at a library.
For more on the life and the music, read our guide: Ravel for kids.
Only the sheet below prints. It fits letter and A4 paper. For a clean page, turn off headers and footers in the print window.
Composer fact sheet
Maurice Ravel
1875 to 1937 · France · Modern era
Quick facts
Born: 1875, Ciboure, France
Died: 1937, Paris, France
Played: Piano
Era: Modern, about 1900 to 2000
The story in short
Ravel was born near the border of France and Spain. He wrote Mother Goose as piano duets for two children he knew. He was skilled at choosing which instrument plays each tune.
A fact to remember
In Boléro, one tune repeats again and again while the orchestra grows louder.
Listen to these
Boléro
A snare drum taps the same rhythm from start to finish.
Empress of the Pagodas, from Mother Goose
A tune on a five-note scale, with bells and a gong.
The Fairy Garden, from Mother Goose
It starts as a whisper and ends with ringing bells.
What I heard
Draw the music
Maurice Ravel fact sheetkidsclassicalmusic.com
Goes well with
- Ravel for kids: the full guide for parents
- All 24 composer fact sheets
- Composer timeline
- Composer study notebook page
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