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Classical (Period) Music

For Students 9th - 10th
A nice website discussing music of the classical period. It provides detail into the style of classical music, lists some of the composers associated with classical music.
Website
BBC

Bbc: Bitesize: Gcse Music

For Students 3rd - 8th
GCSE Music provides links to a variety of music topics including composers, composing music, music theory, music technology, performing and evaluating music, music styles, world music, and traditional music from the UK.
Article
OpenStax

Open Stax: Catherine Schmidt Jones: The Music of the Romantic Era

For Students 9th - 10th
Here is a nice introduction to the Romantic Era. It describes the various elements and the composers of this time.
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Library of Congress

Loc: The Moldenhauer Archives

For Students 9th - 10th
The Moldenhauer Archives at the Library of Congress contain approximately 3,500 items documenting the history of Western music from the medieval period through the modern era.
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Baroque Music

For Students 9th - 10th
A Wikipedia article on Baroque music distinguishes it from the Renaissance and Classical styles, discusses the different musical genres the Baroque composers wrote in, lists the important features of Baroque music, and provides a list of...
Website
Other

Music History Online: Music of the 20th Century

For Students 9th - 10th
This page covers a wide range of topics concerning 20th century music. Included are many references to styles and composers and terms found in 20th century music.
Handout
Other

Acadia University: Late Renaissance & Early Baroque Music

For Students 9th - 10th
This article compares and contrasts Late Renaissance and Early Baroque music with narrative and a side-by-side chart.
Website
Leaf Group

E How: How to Learn About Classical Music?

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource explains how to learn about classical music, and covers the evolution, styles, and vocabulary of this important musical genre.
Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of American History: Smithsonian Jazz: Duke Ellington

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
This site provides audio clips, photos, and biographical information of this legendary composer and performer. A match game teaches and tests your knowledge of Ellington.
Handout
Classical Net

Classical Net: Musical Periods

For Students 9th - 10th
This site contains the most significant artistic output of the most important composers within each historical period.
Website
BBC

Bbc Radio2: Sold on Song

For Students 9th - 10th
If you love classic pop and rock songs and performers, you'll want to visit this site. Includes background information and audio, a glossary, a guide to songwriting styles, songwriting tips, music quizzes, interviews, and so much more....
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Other

Dictionary of Uu Biography: Bela Bartok

For Students 9th - 10th
An excellent biography of Hungarian composer Bela Bartok by the Dictionary of Unitarian and Universalist Biography Project.
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Other

Ray Charles Online

For Students 9th - 10th
This personal website of Ray Charles contains a very interesting autobiography, including discussions with the artist on how he writes and arranges music in his head, how soul music and rock and roll originated, and much more.
Interactive
Other

Chord Studio

For Students 9th - 10th
Have fun composing your own music with this easy to use online tool. Select the chords you want your song to have and choose the various instrument styles. You can sign up for a free account so you can save your songs and edit them later.
Website
PBS

Pbs: Jazz: A Film by Ken Burns

For Students 9th - 10th
The companion website for a documentary film about jazz is home to a storehouse of resources and unique features about the historical, cultural, and artistic significance of jazz. With a timeline of key events in the history of jazz,...
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Ragtime

For Students 9th - 10th
Wikipedia offers the definition, historical context, revival, and composers of the ragtime style of music.
Interactive
PBS

Pbs: Blues Road Trip

For Students 9th - 10th
Come and trace the migration of the blues through the United States. This site features an in-depth look at the origins of the Blues throughout its development across the Deep South of the US and beyond.
Lesson Plan
Broward Education Foundation

Broward Education Foundation: Creative Canjos [Pdf]

For Teachers K - 1st
Creative Canjos is an interdisciplinary unit that teaches American History through Folk Art and Folk Music. The students began the project in Art class. They were introduced to American Folk Art through a teacher made iMovie. The iMovie...
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Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: Dizzy Gillespie

For Students 3rd - 8th
Dizzie Gillespie helped create a new form of modern jazz called be-bop. It was the predecessor of hip-hop that is so popular today.
Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Horace Silver

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Horace Silver, an American jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader, exemplary performer of what came to be called the hard bop style of the 1950s and '60s. The style was an extension of...
Handout
The Franklin Institute

Franklin Institute: Ben Franklin's Armonica

For Students 9th - 10th
Ever rub your wet finger along the top of a glass and listen to it sing? So did Benjamin Franklin. He then invented the glass armonica to recreate the sound. Read about the armonica, the music composed for it, and Franklin's scientific...
Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Prince

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Prince, a singer, guitarist, songwriter, producer, dancer, and performer on keyboards, drums, and bass who was among the most talented American musicians of his generation. Like Stevie...