Charlie Brown

Such Spirit through the Years: Guaraldi’s Peanuts Music Turns 50

Celebrate with Activities for Your Music and Performing Arts Curriculum            

Charles M. Schulz first introduced the Peanuts gang in comic strips in 1950. The music of Vince Guaraldi featured in Peanuts specials celebrates its fiftieth anniversary in December 2015. A Charlie Brown Christmas, an annual television favorite, introduced many to the jazz style of Guaraldi. This article commemorates the golden anniversary of Guaraldi’s Peanuts music and offers suggestions for classroom activities that capitalize on A Charlie Brown Christmas and Guaraldi’s music. Lesson ideas focus on music, the performing arts, and interdisciplinary learning.
Introduction 

The first telecast of A Charlie Brown Christmas on the CBS television network marks its fiftieth anniversary on December 9, 2015. The comic strip called Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz first appeared in newspapers on October 2, 1950. The Christmas special was the first of many TV specials bringing the Peanuts characters to life and giving them voices. A Peanuts feature film was also produced as well as a Broadway musical You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.