Library of Congress
Loc: History of Ragtime
This article from Library of Congress' Performing Arts Encyclopedia gives an extensive explanation of the history of ragtime. Trace the development of the genre from the 1850s through the 1970s.
Other
Kansas State Univ.: Music and Race in 20th C. America
Short but interesting combination of music and race and its influence on American culture from the Kansas State University. Provides most important songs, artists, and lyrics. Unusual page.
University of Michigan
University of Michigan: Instrument Encyclopedia: Baroque Violin
This brief article overviewing the history of the violin, and its role in a variety of musical genres, includes an image and references for further reading and research.
PBS
Pbs: American Roots Music: Lesson Three: Gospel Music Meets a Wide Audience
The third lesson deals with the emergence of gospel as a form of popular music among a general public. Gospel is a musical genre with roots in the African American church, particularly in the South. Between the 1940s and the 1960s,...
Library of Congress
Loc: Musical Revue
A detailed explanation of the musical revue, a form of variety theatre popularized at the turn of the century and through the 1920s and 30s. Most famous of the genre were The Ziegfeld Follies.
PBS
Encyclopedia of Composers & Songwriters
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.
Other
Database of Award Winning Children's Literature
This is a phenomenal resource. It allows the user to create a reading list of quality children's literature based of choices such as reading level, type of book, genre, ethnicity, gender, etc. In addition, one can determine if a book won...
Other
Maryl Neff: Definition of Folk Music
This resource provides an excellent introduction to the folk music genre and its elements.
Other
Pop and Rock Music in the 60s: A Brief History
This site has an web-article of the origins of 60s rock. Sections include "The Roots of Rock 'n' Roll," "The 1960's Begin," "The British Invade," and "1968 & 1969: The Unraveling." Also includes a bibliography section called...
Other
Federal Focus Jazz Band: Traditional Jazz Style Guide
A stylistic breakdown and analysis of traditional jazz. Distinguishes between the different types of this unique genre.
Other
Wesleyan University: Learning Objects Studio: Virtual Instrument Museum
Access the world musical instrument collection of the Music Department of Wesleyan University through this virtual museum interface. Search for and learn about instruments by type, geographic location, instrument material, and genre....
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Ragtime
Wikipedia offers the definition, historical context, revival, and composers of the ragtime style of music.
OpenStax
Open Stax: Catherine Schmidt Jones: Musical Travels for Children
A series of lesson plans geared toward elementary students. These lessons explore various musical cultures such as Germanic music, Korean songs, Ugandan music and Mexican music. You can use all of the lessons or simply choose which ones...
Other
Baroque Music: Composers
Short bio with listing of works by genre with dates composed. Just click on "Lully".
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Collaboration of Sites, Sounds: Wikis to Catalog Protest Songs
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.
South Carolina Educational Television
Etv: Artopia: Media Studio: Movie Soundtrack
Understand the impact of movie soundtracks. Watch a movie clip of Charade and sample nine different music genres to see how they affect the meaning of the story. [1:03]
PBS
Pbs: Blues Road Trip
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.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Dynasty, Revolution, and the Classical Age
Welcome to Britain, home to one of the biggest empires in history and a rich artistic heritage. We'll start in the 16th through the 18th centuries, years that saw the establishment of Britain and British art as we know it. As you travel...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: New Age Music
It features information about the genre, record companies, and spotlights various artists from around the world. Also gives a good list of highly regarded new age music links.
Other
Thumbnail History of the Banjo
Site that focuses on the development of the banjo instrument, but also traces its role in minstrel shows of the 1800s. Offers different viewpoint of this genre.
Library of Congress
Loc: Patriotic Melodies
The Library of Congress site profiles 26 American patriotic songs with commentary, supporting visual material, and recordings of "America the Beautiful," "Fanfare for the Common Man" and the like.
Time
Time: The All Time 100 Albums
A comprehensive list of the 100 most influential record albums. Each album can be clicked to provide information as to why it was chosen.
Leaf Group
E How: How to Learn About Classical Music?
This resource explains how to learn about classical music, and covers the evolution, styles, and vocabulary of this important musical genre.
Other
Kurt Weill Foundation for Music
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