Curated OER
Today and Yesterday: Festivals through the Year
In this world cultures worksheet, students research information and answer questions about festivals around the world. This worksheet gives detailed information on how to do the Internet research. This worksheet was generated in the U.K.
TheatreHistory.com
Theatre History: American Musical Theatre: An Introduction
A commercial website that provides a solid history of American musical theatre. Includes summaries of many musicals through history. Focus is on shows before 1960.
Other
Carnegie Hall: A Celebration of the African American Cultural Legacy
Trace the history of African American music from 1600-2000 and examine the styles, influences, artists and listen to samples presented by Carnegie Hall.
Library of Congress
Loc: Omaha Indian Music
A fascinating site of traditional American Indian music. Listen online to the 44 wax cylinder recordings from 1895-97! Listen also to interviews of the tribe giving background information.
PBS
Pbs: American Roots Music
If teaching a unit about the history of popular music in America, this PBS web site supporting their four-part TV broadcast of a few years ago would make a great resource. Includes lesson plans and oral histories too.
Other
The Museum of the Southeast American Indian
The University of North Carolina museum's site offers articles, videos, artwork, crafts, music, and histories of Native Americans.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Open Course Ware: Introduction to Anglo American Folk Music
A complete, undergraduate-level online course on folk music.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: See, Hear and Sing
Lots of history of American music with fun links and audio clips, most from the 20th century. A neat site to learn more about America's past.
Other
The History Makers
Thehistorymakers.com features the stories of African Americans who have succeeded and made achievements in the areas of art, business, education, law, politics, science, religion, and sports. There is a great timeline of African American...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Smithsonian Jazz
Smithsonian Jazz is home to several online exhibits, an interactive "Duke Ellington class," recordings, publications, oral histories, and similar resources.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: The Strength of Native American Music (Lesson Plan)
A lesson plan about analyzing and discussing the relationship between Native American music, culture, and history in which students learn how music can be a tool for cultural survival. Requires access to an episode from "American Roots...
Library of Congress
Loc: Lyrical Legacy: 400 Years of American Song and Poetry
Explore eighteen American songs and poems each represented by an original primary source document, along with historical background information and, in many cases, sound recordings and alternate versions.
Library of Congress
Loc: American Memory: Native American History
These six extensive collections provide first-person historical accounts, audio clips of music and thousands of photographs from Native American cultures. Audio requires Windows Media Player for PCs, and QuickTime for Mac.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Music of the United States
Very thorough resource for music in the United States. History, genres, and references can be found on this site. Includes sample audio recordings.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Sti Lesson 15: The Changing American Landscape
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...
Indiana University
Archives of African American Music and Culture
Contains resources on black culture and music from the early 1900s to the present.
South Carolina Educational Television
Etv: Gullah Net: Gullah Music
Explore aspects of African music as reflected in the songs and music of slaves who lived in coastal South Carolina.
York University
York University: African Canadian Online: Music
African-Canadian music encompasses the West Indies, Africa, the United States, South American and the Maritimes. This excellent reference resource provides information about the many kinds of music and the talented individuals who make it.
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.
New Georgia Encyclopedia: Blues Music: Overview
Overview and definition of blues music that developed in the southern United States in the early nineteenth century. Performers from Georgia include Ray Charles, Ma Rainey, Little Richard, and the Allman Brothers.
Other
Oculus Magazine: Early Jazz
Written for an audience accustomed to rock, this is a good history of Jazz, from the late 1800's, when the form supposedly took shape, to recommended recordings and books.
Yale University
Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: Musical Theater
Introductory site focusing on American musical theatre and Broadway. Shows how these parts can be taught in the classroom. Useful for teachers and students working with music theater.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Sti Lesson 45: Democracy Not Yet!
The following lesson uses the lyrics of four popular songs (songs that were commonly sung or played) to stimulate critical thought and discussion of what is right or wrong with American democracy.
Library of Congress
Loc: Song of America
Commemorates the history of the American song featuring reowned baritone Thomas Hampson. See first editions of sheet music, information on the songs and their authors as well as sound recordings.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Sti Lesson 22: Youth Culture and the Rock Festival
The major rock festivals have been viewed as seminal mileposts of the counterculture era. Not only were there significant musical performances from the festivals themselves, but music was created before and after these concerts to...
Other popular searches
- American History and Music
- Early American Music History
- American History Music
- African American Music History
- History of American Music