1. Leonard Bernstein Stephen Sondheim

2. Bernstein & Sondheim Born Aug. 25, 1918 in Lawrence, MA Born Aug. 25, 1918 in Lawrence, MA Born into a Ukrainian- Jewish family Born into a Ukrainian- Jewish family Started learning piano at age 10 Started learning piano at age 10 Studied music at Harvard Studied music at Harvard One of first American conductors to achieve world-wide fame One of first American conductors to achieve world-wide fame Died Oct. 14, 1990 Died Oct. 14, 1990 Born March 22, 1930 in NYC to Jewish family Born March 22, 1930 in NYC to Jewish family After his parents’ divorce, he was mentored by Bernstein After his parents’ divorce, he was mentored by Bernstein Graduated magna cum laude from Williams College in Williamstown, MA Graduated magna cum laude from Williams College in Williamstown, MA

3. Bernstein & Sondheim Awards – 9 Grammy Awards including Lifetime Achievement Award, Tony Award, and many more Awards – 9 Grammy Awards including Lifetime Achievement Award, Tony Award, and many more Wrote music for West Side Story Wrote music for West Side Story Awards - an Academy Award, 8 Tony Awards including the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, multiple Grammy Awards, a Pulitzer Prize and the Laurence Olivier Award Awards - an Academy Award, 8 Tony Awards including the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, multiple Grammy Awards, a Pulitzer Prize and the Laurence Olivier Award Wrote lyrics for West Side Story Wrote lyrics for West Side Story

4. West Side Story Setting of Romeo & Juliet in 1950’s New York Setting of Romeo & Juliet in 1950’s New York The conflict with the Capulets & Montagues is replaced with the gangs, the Sharks & the Jets The conflict with the Capulets & Montagues is replaced with the gangs, the Sharks & the Jets –Comparison of “West Side Story” to “Romeo & Juliet” - http://teachersites.schoolworld.com/webpages/JHernandez/film.cfm?subpage=139311 http://teachersites.schoolworld.com/webpages/JHernandez/film.cfm?subpage=139311 http://teachersites.schoolworld.com/webpages/JHernandez/film.cfm?subpage=139311 Tony, a member of the Jets, falls in love with Maria, the sister of the leader of the Sharks Tony, a member of the Jets, falls in love with Maria, the sister of the leader of the Sharks Songs – “Maria,” “Tonight,” “America,” and “I Feel Pretty” Songs – “Maria,” “Tonight,” “America,” and “I Feel Pretty” Won 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture Won 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture

5. “America” Written with mixed meter (the meter changes) Written with mixed meter (the meter changes) In this song, there is an alternating of 3/4 (three quarter notes) with 6/8 (two groups of three eighth-notes), while the value of the eight-note remains constant. In this song, there is an alternating of 3/4 (three quarter notes) with 6/8 (two groups of three eighth-notes), while the value of the eight-note remains constant.