Handout
Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Guiro

For Students 3rd - 5th
Use this resource to learn about the percussion family of the orchestra and the guiro. This instrument is untuned and comes from South and Central America.
Handout
Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Listening Library

For Students 3rd - 5th
At this resource listen to a selection of audio clips that feature the works of a full range of composers and a full orchestra of instruments. Scroll down an alphabetical list to find the composer or instrument you want, then choose the...
Activity
Other

Online Mallet Lessons

For Students 9th - 10th
This site contains numerous tips and suggestions dealing with many facets of playing the vibraphone and marimba. Although much of the information is jazz oriented, some is general enough that it could easily be applied to xylophone and...
Website
University of Michigan

University of Michigan: Instrument Encyclopedia: Clarinet

For Students 9th - 10th
This article, providing general information on the clarinet -- "a very popular woodwind instrument which originated in Islamic and Asian countries" -- includes an image of a clarinet, several references for reading and research, and a...
Website
Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Teachers Lounge

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Although this is considered a teachers lounge, it has many activities for students too. Teachers will love this because there are many lesson plans as well as other activities to do with their students.
Handout
PBS

Classics for Kids: Benjamin Britten

For Students 3rd - 8th
A short biography of Benjamin Britten (1913-1976 CE). Click to the past radio shows to hear his music and learn more about this famous composer.
Article
Other

Asia Society: Gamelan Dharma Swara: Balinese Dance and Music

For Students 9th - 10th
Video performance of a gamelan orchestra and dancers showcases Balinese music and dance. [3:45] Accompanying program notes provide useful background information on the significance of gamelan to Balinese culture. A second video...
Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: An Introduction to Kabuki Theater

For Students 9th - 10th
Kabuki was one of the three most popular dramatic forms of Japan, the other two being Noh drama and puppet theater (bunraku). Singers and an orchestra of drums, flutes, wooden clappers, and samisen (a stringed instrument similar to the...
Handout
Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: William Grant Still

For Students 3rd - 8th
This resource describes how William Grant Still (1895-1978 CE) started out playing the violin and then began teaching himself to play other string instruments as well as the oboe, clarinet, and saxophone. His most famous work is...
Website
Other

Gamelan Tunas Mekar

For Students 9th - 10th
Music and dance of Bali, as practiced and presented by a community of Indonesian artists devoted to the traditional Balinese arts. At the online home of Gamelan Tunas Mekar, a Denver-based gamelan orchestra, find audio clips of Balinese...