What is a Drum Circle? What type of drum do you see in this picture? Drum circles have a long history in many cultures around the world. Dating back centuries, these rhythmic gatherings serve as a form expression, celebration, and communication. Drum circles began in Africa. In the 1960s and 1970s, drum circles gained popularity as a form of recreation. These gatherings provided a platform for self-expression, unity, and creativity. With rhythmic beats reverberating through parks, beaches, and community centers, drum circles became a symbol of harmony and connection. Jam, Too? Drum Beats Her ..read more

Apart, yet united… In March of 2020, countries around the world began issuing “stay-at-home” orders to help slow the spread of COVID-19. In Italy, people headed out to their balconies to share music with one another and spread a message of peace and solidarity. …through music. L?K Balcony Concerts Professional musicians and those with homemade instruments join together to serenade a nation in quarantine. Listen ? United through Music These are some of the songs that can be heard playing in the videos of Italy’s “Balcony Concerts.” Listen on Spotify Learn ✍️ Links to learning ?-Italy: Nati ..read more

Big Dreams… Florence Mills was known as Harlem’s Little Blackbird. She had a voice that mesmerized audiences, both black and white, during a time when not all Americans were treated fairly. She used her voice for entertainment and to fight for equality. …and a beautiful voice. L?K The Harlem Renaissance Florence Mills moved to New York City during an explosion of Black culture. Listen ? Harlem Renaissance Greats Here are the hints for your Name The Musician Picture Puzzle! Chick Web Duke Ellington Ma Rainy Louis Armstrong Listen on Spotify Learn ✍️ Links to learning ?-Blackbird Songs and Ca ..read more

Beautiful Noise Did you know that there are rules for making music? Even though music is a form of artistic expression and creativity is important, there are still rules and expectations when it comes to creating your own composition. For example: In a choir, the soprano voices sing higher than the alto voices. A symphony has 4 movements. Music is divided evenly into measures. So what happens if a composer decides not to follow the rules of music composition? Well, their music may be considered new or groundbreaking and this is sometimes called avant-garde. Let’s compose a piece of av ..read more

We’re going on a trip… The newest installment of the Story Orchestra series brings classical music to life with another gorgeously illustrated journey based on a piece of classical music. Let’s explore “The Planets” with 10-second sound clips from the orchestral suite by Gustav Holst. In our favorite rocket ship! L?K The Celeste This unique instrument is used in several movements of “The Planets.”    Listen ? The entire orchestral Suite   In which movements (individual songs that are from a collection of related music) do you hear the celeste? Listen on Spotify Learn ..read more

Sing like a Sailor!     For sailors, music served two purposes. The first was for entertainment. Traveling by sea could take many months and music helped keep sprits high. The second was to provide a rhythmic foundation for completing tasks on a ship that required the sailors to work together. Now there is some disagreement in the musical world about the different types of sea shanties. Some sources will divide the songs into a few as two different groups, others as many as five. We’re going to g right in the middle with three! Windlass Shanties: Also called capstan shanties, thes ..read more

I’ll never Measure uP… Half Note is part of the staff, but they don’t really need her…or do they? Author Lindsay Bonilla and Illustrator Mark Hoffmann team up to tell the story of a note who is more important than she realizes. But wait, who’s playing my part?! L?K The Grand Staff Let’s put all these symbols together!    Listen ? Composer Comparison These composers all write different genres (styles) of music. Can you match the songs in the playlist to the correct composer and genre? Rock John Lennon Classical W.A. Mozart Pop Max Martin Movies John Williams Musical Theater Rodgers ..read more

So you Wanna to sit in with the Blues band? Then you need… A mouth harp (harmonica!) A few big breaths!   You also need to know the difference between a blow…    and a draw.   Most importantly, you’ll need to be able to keep a steady beat and know the 12-Bar Blues pattern by heart! The 12 What?! 12 The number of bars the pattern covers. Bar Another name for measure. We divide music evenly into measures to keep in organized. Blues The soulful story-like genre of music that originated in the southern United States on plantations and in the cotton fields ..read more

Yellow Dog is Gone… Bo Willie has lost his dog! With his Aunt Jessie’s help he begins a journey that sends him along the Mississippi Blues Trail where many Blues icons got their start. Hear their music, listen to their stories and… find that dog! Check the Juke Joints! L?K What Is “the Blues” Blues music is a genre that comes from the southern plantations the United States as a part of African-American culture. Blues musicians use their music to tell stories, and to reflect on life's challenges and victories.    The Blues is another way of expressing, of just simply sitting down an ..read more

¿Estas Listo? When a young girl finds a broken guitar in the trash, she takes the opportunity to turn something old into something she can be proud of. Canta, la guitarrista, is ready to rock! Are you? Are you ready? L?K Who Invented the Guitar? Hint: It happened a long, long time ago!    Listen ? ¡Guitarristas Famosas! This playlist features female guitarists from Chile, Mexico, Spain, and the United States. This playlist includes many different styles (genres) of music. How are they similar? What is different about them? Bolero Mon Laferte Classical Guitar Margarita Escarpa Zaira ..read more