Handout
PBS

Pbs American Masters: Richard Rodgers

For Students 9th - 10th
This site has a comprehensive biography of the American composer. Site details Rodgers collaboration with lyricist Lorenz Hart and later work with Oscar Hammerstein. There is also the "Career Timeline" or the audio/video resources found...
Handout
Naxos Digital Services

Naxos Digital Services: Composers

For Students 9th - 10th
From a major publisher of classical music, this website provides a brief biography and picture of literally hundreds of composers of classical music. The discographies at the bottom of each biography allow you to find CDs and often...
Handout
PBS

Encyclopedia of Composers & Songwriters

For Students 9th - 10th
A great resource for learning about some of America's greatest composers and songwriters. From Irving Berlin to George Gershwin, among other, this resource provides biographies, pictures and some video.
Handout
PBS

Classics for Kids: Gershwin Biography

For Students 3rd - 8th
A brief biography of American composer, George Gershwin.
Website
University of Pittsburgh

Center for American Music Stephen Foster's Career

For Students 9th - 10th
This University of Pittsburgh site provides a wealth of information about American songwriter Stephen Foster. This link discusses his professional career with various other links within the text about minstrel shows, etc. Return to the...
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: Composer Aaron Copland

For Students 3rd - 8th
Composer Aaron Copland came from humble beginnings. He wrote music that captured the American spirit. This site provides a biography of Copland.
Website
Other

Art of the States

For Students 9th - 10th
Listen to complete high quality music files from many of America's composers and performers. You can search by composer, performer, genre, instrumentation or time period.
Unit Plan
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of American History: Documents Gallery: Ellington and Strayhorn

For Students 9th - 10th
Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, two of the greatest jazz composers, collaborated on hundreds of works. As you explore this exhibition, you will have an opportunity to view original music scores, listen to audio clips, and view videos...
Handout
Other

Afrocentric Voices in Classical Music

For Students 9th - 10th
Visit this website for short biographies of some of the African American singers and composers who have contributed to the world of Classical music.
Handout
PBS

Classics for Kids: John Phillip Sousa

For Students 3rd - 8th
A short biography of John Phillip Sousa (1854-1932 CE). Click to the past radio shows to hear his music and learn more about this famous composer.
Primary
BBC

Bb Ci Audio Interviews: Aaron Copland

For Students 9th - 10th
The BBC provides several audio clips from interviews with the noted American composer, Aaron Copland (1900-1990 CE). Additional content includes a brief biography, list of key works, and links to other sites within the BBC network...
Website
PBS

Classics for Kids: Aaron Copland "Hoe Down"

For Students 3rd - 8th
Several radio shows with music clips regarding "Rodeo" and other works by Copland. Click to a short biography.
Website
Other

Africlassical: Black History and Classical Music

For Students 9th - 10th
Africlassical profiles musicians and composers of African descent since the time of Mozart.
Graphic
Smithsonian Institution

National Postal Museum: Famous Americans: John Philip Sousa

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn brief information on John Philip Sousa, famous American band leader who is featured on the two cent postage stamp.
Website
Other

The American Bandmasters Association

For Students 9th - 10th
This is the website for the American Bandmasters Association which "is a select group of some 260 members and 60 associate members who have been recognized as outstanding concert band teachers/conductors [and] composers." Here, there are...
Website
Other

The Official George & Ira Gershwin Web Site

For Students 9th - 10th
Brothers George and Ira Gershwin had a large impact on American music. Visit their official website that includes biographies, a timeline and a jukebox to listen to their music.
Website
Other

Kurt Weill Foundation for Music

For Students 9th - 10th
Celebrate the Kurt Weill Centenary with sections on Kurt Weill and Lotta Lenya, Chronology of Career, Further Reading, Catalog of Worksby Title, by Date, by Genre, Discography, and images. Weill-Lenya Research Center
Primary
Other

Gateshead Council: Farne: Folk Archive Resource North East

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is from a British project that has collected recordings of traditional Northumbrian folk music. In addition to the the music itself, you'll find plenty of information on instruments, types of folk music, composers and...
Handout
PBS

Classics for Kids: George Gershwin

For Students 3rd - 8th
A short biography of George Gershwin (1898-1937 CE). Click to the past radio shows to hear his music and learn more about this famous composer.
Handout
PBS

Pbs: Literature & Life: Choice of Weapons

For Students 9th - 10th
It is hard to categorize Gordon Park, Sr., because he excelled in so many areas. He was well known for his writing, his photojournalism and in film. He also composed music. Listen here to an interview with Gordon Parks, Sr., and to...
Handout
Rutgers University

Rutgers University: Fats Waller Forever

For Students 9th - 10th
This digital exhibit provides a basic overview of Fats Waller and his music. Divided into sections that cover Life and Times, Ed Kirkeby Collection, the music, recordings, European and US tours, notes, and more.
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...
Website
Other

Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization

For Students 9th - 10th
The web page for this copyright administrator for a variety of entertainment intellectual properties. In addition to comprehensive theatre library, site provides detailed biography and discography of artist and properties represented.
Website
Other

The Peaches: Todd's Irving Berlin Page

For Students 9th - 10th
If you're interested in the lyrics of Irving Berlin's songs, then you may want to check this personal site out. Just click on the song title and find the lyrics as well as when, where, and why it was composed.