Dulce Domem Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 So we have spent time over the years doing composer study, generally tying them at least loosely to our history time studied. So, this year we are doing American history from the civil war to now, AND we just moved to the Memphis area. I am (well, my kids & husband are) wanting to study an overview of American music history. Different styles, iconic artists, etc., tying in Memphis where we can (Elvis, BB King, birth of rock n roll, etc.). Does anyone have any resource anywhere to suggest? Even if it is just a simple book, tell me! I can't even find a picture book on Elvis. How is that so? My kids are 9, 7, 4, & 2. Obviously, this will be mainly for the 9 & 7 year old. Anything on American music would be helpful at this point. I am just at such a loss as knowing where to even begin. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie in VA Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 Diana Waring has something you might like. She's a Christian, but I don't know if that comes through in this set. The focus is more on history through music, but you want the history *of* music. Let me think about this a little more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie in VA Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 They might be too young now for this Great Course: Great American Music: Broadway Musicals (see the list of topics). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie in VA Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 I'm sure you've looked at these already, right? American Popular Music: From Minstrelsy to MP3 America's Musical Life: A History (999 pages!) American Popular Music: A Multicultural History (480 pages) How The Beatles Destroyed Rock & Roll: An Alternative History of American Popular Music Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie in VA Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 Adding: The first one is for grades 5-8. Music: Investigate The Evolution of American Sound American Music: A Panorama (Concise) Life Flows On In Endless Song: Folk Songs and American History (Music in American Life) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
historymatters Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 How about the new offering from Memoria Press? Exploring America's Musical Heritage through Art, Literature, and Culture Dr. Carol Reynolds http://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/art-and-music/exploring-americas-musical-heritage I would also recommend pieces from Aaron Copland: Billy the Kid Appalachian Spring Lincoln Portrait (w/various narrators) Rodeo Fanfare for the Common Man and some others. There are several collections. Some with Bernstein conducting, which is where I'm leaning. I would look for Jazz greats, Swing, and Big Band. Classic country. Folk. Gospel. the Blues. the "Negro spirituals". There are several good collections of American folk music (like eating goober peas from the Civil war). Also, a collection of our specifically patriotic American music (like George M. Cohan, but not only him). Here's a good page to look through: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_19?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=american+folk+music&sprefix=american+folk+music%2Cpopular%2C252 Earlier artists/genres: Stephen Foster (bio at Zeezok) George M. Cohan; Irving Berlin; Gershwin; Bernstein; Rodgers and Hammerstein; Duke Ellington; Edward McDowell (bio at Zeezok); Stephen Sondheim; John Coltrane; John Denver Several of these have short bios and/music for children: Getting to know the World's Greatest Composers Series (they have modern ones, too) http://www.amazon.com/Gershwins-Rhapsody-Blue-Harwell-Celenza/dp/1570915563/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1439507726&sr=1-5&keywords=gershwin http://www.amazon.com/Ellingtons-Nutcracker-Suite-Harwell-Celenza/dp/1570917000/ref=pd_sim_14_8?ie=UTF8&refRID=0A1EPMP58N7W54W1XVZE Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra http://www.amazon.com/Duke-Ellington-Piano-Prince-Orchestra/dp/1435202376/ref=pd_sim_14_65?ie=UTF8&refRID=1J042CGYCXR1Y1HRPJ86 If I Only Had a Horn: Young Louis Armstrong http://www.amazon.com/If-Only-Had-Horn-Armstrong/dp/061825076X/ref=pd_sim_14_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=0DSHRKTYDA81K8WPPCE9 A page of Elvis books for kids to choose from: http://www.amazon.com/Elvis-Presley-Kids-Biography-Just/dp/1491062142/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1439508355&sr=1-9 After listening to his classics, maybe have them watch the awesome 1968 performance (decked out in leather!). Also, other performances, prior to that one and then the one in Vegas. Many can be found on You Tube, or Amazon: Here's a list of tv performances: http://www.elvis-history-blog.com/elvis-on-tv.html HTH! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dulce Domem Posted August 14, 2015 Author Share Posted August 14, 2015 You people are geniuses! I couldn't come across ANY of this and I have googled and googled and googled and googled. The only thing I was aware of was the Diana Waring stuff, and that's because I bought it at a conference a year ago. It is really good, but only gets us to a certain point. I'm off to click links now. Keep the suggestions coming if anyone has anything to add. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dulce Domem Posted August 14, 2015 Author Share Posted August 14, 2015 Any idea on a suggested age range for the Carol Reynolds DVD set (Exploring America's Musical Heritage)? It looks perfect, but am wondering if my older two would be able to get anything out of it. From the trailer it looks as though they definitely could, even if it were nothing more than associating the visuals of the time with the music styles played then reinforcing with music selections of our own. I can't find a suggested age. Ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dulce Domem Posted August 14, 2015 Author Share Posted August 14, 2015 Never mind - found it here. http://www.professorcarol.com/comparing-american-history-courses/ Looks like it will work! Appropriate for middle schoolers/upper elementary, but adaptable to higher and lower levels. Now to click all the rest of those links.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted August 14, 2015 Share Posted August 14, 2015 Our local symphony orchestra has good resources intended to supplement their concerts for students. Their bookstore has some good things too. They include many kinds of music, not just classical. Check out your closest symphony! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted August 14, 2015 Share Posted August 14, 2015 Welcome to Memphis! Make sure you take time to visit the various museums and sites while you're here. I would avoid Beale Street with kids at night-it gets pretty boozy, but during the day you can visit the Hard Rock Cafe, Rock and SOul Museum, Sun Studios, Stax Records, etc. Almost all of these will have teacher resources available. If you go into Elvis, along with visiting Graceland, drive down to Tupelo and visit his birthdplace. It's quite a difference. I'd also suggest visiting some of the gospel churches when they have concerts-Mississippi Boulevard is a great one, because so much of the Memphis music scene came originally from that style and it's an important link. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WM8IGY/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687642&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0393038815&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1DH5YNZVXVYV1SF69JM9 This DVD series is narrated by Wynton Marsalis, and goes through basic music theory and an introduction to Jazz in a form accessible to elementary/middle school kids. There's a companion book which is also excellent. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelli Posted August 14, 2015 Share Posted August 14, 2015 I have a couple of things that might help. I did American folk songs when we studied early American history so you might think of using that approach. Also, I Choose Joy is coming out with a 20th Century American Music Appreciation course for K-12 on Monday (8/17). It definitely covers rock-n-roll, the blues, jazz, etc. It's not up yet or I'd link you to the curriculum. Between folk songs and I Choose Joy's course, you could easily cover most of American music history. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbutton Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 This is a great thread! I didn't realize Carol Reynolds had something for kids younger than high school--I've loved her convention sessions. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
historymatters Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 I remembered these compilations, that have very high quality. I saw their PBS special: http://laura-ingalls-wilder.com/index.htm Includes: Pa's Fiddle The Arkansas Traveler Happy Land Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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