This website includes general information on a cappella music, as well has tips on how to get started in a cappella singing and how to arrange, perform, and record a cappella music. Read about world-wide a cappella events and check out...

The songs and movies of modern times have had a major influence on fashion. Coincidentally, many of these important fashion-influencing films of recent times had one thing in common: John Travolta. From the white leisure suits ofSaturday...

Similar to an online newspaper, this resource provides numerous insights to the contemporary culture in Africa.

[Free Registration/Login Required] A review of the "Corroboree", the name of a dance with Aboriginal roots. (Oct. 6, 2001)

This lesson will help students to better understand and appreciate the epic poem Beowulf by comparing it to a modern rap song. All learners, and at-risk students in particular, learn better when they are able to find relevance and...

The topic of an author's or artist's public image or persona may become more understandable for students with the judicious selection of contemporary musicians who have taken on obvious and sometimes changing personae in their careers....

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...

As educators, the goal of developing students into discerning, critical viewers may enable them to negotiate with more confidence through the treacherous waters of today's multimedia. Studying the various viewpoints as expressed in...

The rise of American cities between 1865 and 1900 was spawned by the industrial revolution. Technological advancements in industry and transportation fathered the enormous growth of large cities across the United States. This led to the...

The women's liberation movement of the 1970s is suffering a tremendous backlash and is frequently viewed as obsolete. Many young people feel as though feminism is irrelevant and sexism no longer impacts their lives. Through the...

Along with Art Garfunkel, Paul Simon was part of one of the most popular bands of the 1960's. Still popular today, read about his career in this biography from PBS.

A richly illustrated site that explores the life and influences of the romantic composer Hector Berlioz. Primary source documents, such as letters, musical scores, and manuscripts, populate the site. Other useful images that help tell...

Go directly to a collection of illustrated feature-length articles about traditional and contemporary Chinese arts. Covers the principal visual and performing arts of China, for example, traditional crafts, calligraphy, architecture,...

This site from the National Arts Centre of Canada explores the life of Beethoven (1770-1827 CE). Read about his education, musical contemporaries, loss of hearing, and his death. There are also discussions of many of his famous works,...

This lesson makes a connection to popular culture by asking students to research and analyze contemporary and historic protest songs and to catalogue them in a class wiki.

Red Hot Jazz offers a biography, filmography, suggested reading, and links to many of Sidney Bechet's contemporaries as well as to other sites.

Lengthy biography of Euler that sets him in relationship with his contemporaries in mathematics and physics. Several quotes and pictures available, as well as links to relevant mathematical topics. A terrific site.

Following a reading of the epic poem Beowulf and the contemporary text inspired by it, Grendel, students create their own monster. Lesson plans provide assessment criteria, extension ideas, and a list of resources.

This biography of Arab musician and composer Farid al-Atrash discusses both his personal and musical lives and argues for his recognition as one of the most important contemporary Arab musicians.

Space dedicated to prose, where you can find numerous Spanish literary passages, as well as author biographies and pictures. You can also read about art (organized by countries, periods, museums), music (organized by countries, periods,...

One of the most recognizable Motown groups of all time, the Four Tops performed together for over four decades. Here you can read about the musicians, their music and songs. They were 1990 inductees into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

A biography of Tommy Dorsey with links to his contemporaries, a discography, filmography, and suggested reading.

A website that accompanies a film on Stephen Foster. Students can listen to the famous songs, view a timeline of his life, and find information about Foster's contemporaries.

PBS presents a biography of the "Father of soul," Ray Charles. He was an internationally famed musician, combining jazz, country, gospel, soul, and R&B in a way that was truly unique.