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Website
PBS

Pbs: American Masters: Cole Porter

For Students 9th - 10th
Cole Porter is discussed in this brief biography. It touches on the highlights of his life and career.
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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.
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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...
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Handout
PBS

Pbs American Masters: Sarah Vaughan

For Students 9th - 10th
An informative biography of jazz singer Sarah Vaughan (1924-1990 CE) is presented highlighting her long musical career.
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Website
PBS

Pbs: American Masters: Lena Horne

For Students 9th - 10th
PBS profiles American jazz singer and actress Lena Horne's life and music. Includes video.
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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.
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Handout
Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Charles Ives

For Students 3rd - 8th
This resource provides information on Charles Ives (1874-1954 CE). This American composer's job, and source of income, was actually running an insurance agency. He would compose and play music at night, after work. Use this site to learn...
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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
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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...
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Handout
PBS

Classics for Kids: Scott Joplin

For Students 3rd - 8th
A short biography of Scott Joplin (1868-1917 CE). Click to the past radio shows to hear his music and learn more about this famous composer.
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Handout
PBS

Classics for Kids: Charles Ives

For Students 3rd - 8th
A short biography of Charles Ives (1874-1954 CE). Click to the past radio shows to hear his music and learn more about this famous composer.
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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.
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Handout
Black Past

Black Past: Joplin, Scott

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a brief encyclopedia biography of the ragtime composer, Scott Joplin, whose music was influential in the growth of jazz.
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Handout
Classical Net

Classical Net: Scott Joplin

For Students 9th - 10th
This well-written biography of Scott Joplin not only provides his progress as a musician but also the personal events in his life which influenced his music. Includes links to a complete list of Joplin's works, a MIDI archive, and site...
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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...
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Handout
University of Pennsylvania

University of Pennsylvania: Quotations of John Cage

For Students 9th - 10th
John Cage, the American minimalist composer, often made interesting commentaries on his music and culture in general. Here are some select examples of his remarks.
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Website
Library of Congress

Loc: The Leonard Bernstein Collection

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the Library of Congress provides information on perhaps the most important American musical figure of the 20th century has over 400,000 items housed in the Library of Congress. Photographs, his famous Young People's...
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Website
Library of Congress

Loc: The Gershwin Legacy: George and Ira Gershwin

For Students 9th - 10th
With their famous music and lyrics, the Library of Congress presents an in depth exhibit of primary source materials from the Gershwin brothers.
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Handout
PBS

Pbs American Masters: Isaac Stern

For Students 9th - 10th
A virtuoso on the violin, Isaac Stern is celebrated in this brief biography by PBS. Read about the highlights of his life and music.
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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.
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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 young scholars began the project in Art class. They were introduced to American Folk Art through a teacher made iMovie. The...
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Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs: The Blues as Poetry

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Discover what the relationship is between poetry and the blues. This site features lesson plans and online resources.
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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.
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Handout
Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: George Gershwin

For Students 3rd - 8th
Interested in popular and serious music, Gershwin (1898-1937) played a big part in bringing jazz to a more important place in American music. He helped mix it with classical music in his compositions. Read more about his work, including...