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Classical Composer Biographies

For Students 9th - 10th
Contains brief biographical information about several well known classical composers including Beethoven, Mozart and Haydn.
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Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Composers Then and Now

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
During this instructional activity students will have the opportunity to research the following composers: Kenny G, W.C. Handy, Johannes Brahms, and Amadeus Mozart. Students will learn to navigate the Internet to locate important facts....
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Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

For Students 3rd - 8th
Mozart wrote his first sonata when he was only four years old. He liked to play pool and enjoyed liver dumplings and sauerkraut. Use this resource to learn more about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791 CE), famous Austrian composer, and...
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Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Paul Dukas

For Students 3rd - 8th
What did composer Paul Dukas (1865-1935 CE) have to do with Disney movies? Find out by reading more about his work and life at this site. Listen to some of his most famous music using Real Audio or Windows Media Player.
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Website
Library and Archives Canada

Library and Archives Canada: Willie Eckstein, Pianist and Composer (1888 1963)

For Students 9th - 10th
Willie Eckstein was also known as "The Boy Paderewski" or "Mr. Fingers" for his prodigious talent as a pianist. Trained as a classical pianist, he performed vaudeville and as an accompanist to silent movies, often attracting more...
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Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Hector Berlioz

For Students 3rd - 8th
Berlioz had intentions to study medicine, but wound up studying music instead. Use this resource to learn more about French composer, Hector Berlioz (1803-1869 CE) and his work. Listen to his "Roman Carnival Overture" using RealAudio or...
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Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Johann Sebastian Bach

For Students 3rd - 8th
Use this resource to learn some interesting information about the composer, Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750 CE). Find out why he had to spend a month in jail, how many children he had named after him, and much more. Listen to his music...
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Black Past

Black Past: Mingus, Charles

For Students 9th - 10th
In this encyclopedia entry, you learn about Charles Mingus, jazz bassist and composer.
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Classical Net

Classical Net: Basic Repertoire: Johann Christian Bach (1735 1782)

For Students 9th - 10th
This profile of the 11th son of J. S. Bach surveys his life as a successful court musician and composer in Italy and England.
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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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Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Billy Strayhorn

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn biographical details about American pianist and composer, Billy Strayhorn, who spent his entire career in collaboration with and as amanuensis to the composer and bandleader Duke Ellington.
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John F. Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center: Arts Edge: Fats Waller

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource presents a brief biography about jazz pianist and composer Fats Waller. Also featured in this resource are a couple of audio clips of his music.
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Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Comission

Explore Pa History: William Strayhorn

For Students 9th - 10th
Examine the historical contributions made to the jazz world by this noted composer and arranger from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Mc Coy Tyner

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the life and career of McCoy Tyner, an African-American jazz pianist, bandleader, and composer noted for his technical virtuosity and dazzling improvisations.
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Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Sun Ra

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about black American jazz composer and keyboard player, Sun Ra, who led a free jazz big band known for its innovative instrumentation and the theatricality of its performances.
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John F. Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center: Arts Edge: William Grant Still

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about composer William Grant Still in this resource. This brief biography highlights the career of this African American composer.
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Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Cootie Williams

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the life of Cootie Williams, an African-American trumpeter whose mastery of mutes and expressive effects made him one of the most distinctive jazz musicians.
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Handout
Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Johannes Brahms

For Students 3rd - 8th
Brahms used to play piano in dance halls when he was a child in order to help support his family. Use RealAudio and Windows Media Player to listen to some of his work. This site also provides more information about the life and works of...
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Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Ben Webster

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Ben Webster, an American jazz musician, considered one of the most distinctive of his generation, noted for the beauty of his tenor saxophone tone and for his melodic inventiveness.
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Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Sun Ra

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry features Sun Ra, a black American jazz composer and keyboard player who led a free jazz big band known for its innovative instrumentation and the theatricality of its performances.
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Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Herbie Nichols

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Herbie Nichols, an African-American jazz pianist and composer whose advanced bop-era concepts of rhythm, harmony, and form predicted aspects of free jazz.
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John F. Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center: Arts Edge: Eubie Blake

For Students 9th - 10th
Jazz composer and pianist Eubie Blake is written about in this resource. It features a brief biography about his career and music.
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Website
American Academy of Achievement

Academy of Achievement: Johnny Mathis

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of singer Johnny Mathis, an inductee into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Includes a profile, videos, and a photo gallery.
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Other

Cybermuse: Michael Snow

For Students 9th - 10th
Detailed biography of well-known Canadian filmmaker, musician, artist, composer, writer, and sculptor Michael Snow. He has an international reputation as well as being renowned in the Toronto art scene.

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