Other
Classical Composer Biographies
Contains brief biographical information about several well known classical composers including Beethoven, Mozart and Haydn.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Composers Then and Now
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....
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
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...
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Paul Dukas
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.
Library and Archives Canada
Library and Archives Canada: Willie Eckstein, Pianist and Composer (1888 1963)
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...
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Hector Berlioz
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...
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Johann Sebastian Bach
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...
Black Past
Black Past: Mingus, Charles
In this encyclopedia entry, you learn about Charles Mingus, jazz bassist and composer.
Classical Net
Classical Net: Basic Repertoire: Johann Christian Bach (1735 1782)
This profile of the 11th son of J. S. Bach surveys his life as a successful court musician and composer in Italy and England.
Classical Net
Classical Net: Scott Joplin
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...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Billy Strayhorn
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.
John F. Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center: Arts Edge: Fats Waller
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.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Music for Kids: Famous Guitarists
Kids learn about famous guitarist on this site. Some of the best musicians to ever play the guitar.
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Comission
Explore Pa History: William Strayhorn
Examine the historical contributions made to the jazz world by this noted composer and arranger from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Mc Coy Tyner
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.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Sun Ra
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.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Henry Threadgill
Summarizes the life and career of Henry Threadgill, an African American improviser, composer, and bandleader, an important figure in free jazz in the late 20th century.
John F. Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center: Arts Edge: William Grant Still
Read about composer William Grant Still in this resource. This brief biography highlights the career of this African American composer.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Cootie Williams
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.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Johannes Brahms
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...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Ben Webster
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.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Sun Ra
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.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Herbie Nichols
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.
John F. Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center: Arts Edge: Eubie Blake
Jazz composer and pianist Eubie Blake is written about in this resource. It features a brief biography about his career and music.