Washington State University
Washington State University: Ask Dr. Universe: Why Do Musicians Use Both Sides of Their Brains?
Website using a question-answer format in which Dr. Universe attempts to answer a curious question a student has about why musicians use both sides of their brains.
Smithsonian Institution
National Portrait Gallery: Black List Project: Charley Pride
A biography of famed country music singer Charley Pride, one of few African Americans in the industry to both perform at and be inducted to the Grand Ole Opry.
Other
Virtual Medieval Church: Troubadours and Courtly Love
Troubadours were medieval traveling poet-musicians who primarily wrote on courtly love. Many of these poets focused on sexual love, such as Moniot d'Arras, while others wrote of a religious love. Understand the purpose of these writing...
Curated OER
National Park Service: New Orleans Jazz Nat'l Historical Park: Louis Armstrong
A major figure in jazz, Louis Armstrong is considered the father of jazz. Learn about his early days in New Orleans and how he developed into one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time.
PBS
Pbs: Jazz Music and the Crisis Over School Desegregation
Working in cooperative groups, your students will learn how jazz musicians expressed the Civil Rights era in their music. This lesson focuses on the Civil Rights movement in Little Rock, Arkansas. Also, they will learn to about the...
PBS
Pbs: Defining Jazz Music
In this lesson, students will develop a definition of jazz. Through biographies and interviews of jazz musicians, students will learn what jazz music is about.
National Women’s History Museum
National Women's History Museum: Hazel Scott
Jazz pianist and singer Hazel Scott was not only the first African-American woman to host her own television show, but she also bravely stood up to the House Un-American Activities Committee and the Hollywood studio machine.
Other
Gordon Pinsent One for the Fridge
A fascinating look at one of Canada's most distinguished actors, Gordon Pinsent.
Other
Usps: Ella Fitzgerald: First Lady of Song
Celebrate Black Heritage Month by studying this extraordinary vocalist who transcended a troubled childhood to become an American treasure. Create a musical timeline of the noteworthy events in Ella's life. Explore her sensational lyrics...
PBS
Pbs: This Far by Faith: Thomas Dorsey
A biography of Thomas Dorsey, the man known as "the father of gospel music," from the producers of "This Far by Faith," a series on African-American spiritual journeys. (The series premiered on PBS stations in June 2003.) The site...
Other
Making Music: Yo Yo Ma
This biography of cellist Yo-Yo Ma includes information on his albums and links to related topics. At the bottom of the webpage, there is a list of facts about the famous musician.
Blackdog Media
Classic Reader: "Bank Holiday" by Katherine Mansfield
This is the full text of the short story "Bank Holiday" by Katherine Mansfield. The streets are bustling with people-musicians, children, psychics, and salesmen-because a bank holiday means that everyone is out of the house, enjoying the...
Other
Michael Snow Biography
Featured is Michael Snow's own autobiography. A Toronto born painter and sculptor, he is also an award winning musician, filmmaker, and photographer.
Scholastic
Scholastic News: The Flute Player of Cambodia
With this resource, learners can read the story of Arn Chorn-Pond, a Cambodian musician who survived the Khmer Rouge and immigrated to the U.S.
PBS
Classics for Kids: Scott Joplin
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.
Other
Canadian Content: Famous Canadian Actors
Presents a list of famous actors and actress from Canada. By clicking on each name, you can gather some brief biographical information. Some well known names include Alex Trebek, Art Linkletter, Dan Akroyd, Jim Carrey, and Michael J. Fox.
John F. Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center: Arts Edge: Yo Yo Ma, Master Cellist
This site explores the cello and the artistry of Yo-Yo Ma. Be sure to visit the suggested web sites, especially Yo-Yo's site at Sony.
PBS
Classics for Kids: Johann Strauss, Jr.
This site has a short biography of Johann Strauss, Jr (1825-1899 CE) with an audio clip of the 'Tritsch-Tratsch Polka.' Click to the past radio shows to hear his music and learn more about this famous composer.
Smithsonian Institution
National Portrait Gallery: Elvis at 21
View this Smithsonian Institution exhibition of photographs depicting Elvis Presley's rise to stardom.
Music Education
Learning to Read Music: Basic Counting, Part 2
Beginning musicians can practice reading notes and counting beats using this resource that also provides several lines of music with different types of notes, rests, and time signatures.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Claude Debussy
Claude Debussy (1862-1918 CE), a famous French composer/musician, went to school to study piano, but failed. This resource describes how he was able to still become a famous composer. Also learn more about his life and his works. Use...
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Benjamin Britten
Benjamin Britten (1913-1976 CE), English composer, was the first musician to be granted the title "Lord" from his Queen. Read more about how early he began composing music and how he became famous. Listen to a bit of his work using...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Floyd Dixon
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Floyd Dixon, an American rhythm and blues (R&B) musician who was one of the principal exponents of the up-tempo blues style known as West Coast jump blues.
Other
Tomas Howie Drumming Web: Reading Music
This site is provided for by Tomas Howie and Drumming Web. Although originally written for the drummer, any aspiring musician could benefit from the explanation of how to read music and the examples it contains. Drummers will want to...
Other popular searches
- Bremen Town Musicians
- Famous Black Musicians
- Jazz Musicians
- Black Musicians
- Blues and Jazz Musicians
- Biographies of Musicians
- Musicians of Bremen
- Musicians Roles in Society
- African American Musicians
- Composers Musicians
- 1940 Black Musicians
- New Orleans Musicians