Students learn about world cultures as they explore musical expression and pedagogy. They also know how music can empower children to become successful adults.
Studies show that kids involved in music programs tend to have better academic scores. They also have stronger self-esteem, giving them the confidence to tackle other subjects in school.
Introduction
Introduces students to musical instruments worldwide and examines how music and technology interact. Examines the socio-cultural history of devices and explores issues such as instrument standardization, commodification, experimentation, and hacker culture, and whether music technologies are “just tools” or carry ethical values and ramifications.
Studies creative improvisational musical styles, including jazz. Examines the evolution of this American art form through instructor-selected case studies, weekly class meetings, reading/viewing of primary and secondary sources, peer discussion and feedback, and hands-on activities.
Explores how various music, like the music program Calabasas CA, can serve as a tool for exploring and contesting limited conceptions of humanness. Looks at ways musicians have used their work to question boundaries between the human and the nonhuman (animal, machine, angel, alien).
Music in Everyday Objects
In an age where students spend more time at home, keeping kids engaged and musical can be challenging. YouTube sensation Andrew Huang shows how simple household items can turn into fun percussion instruments: a cardboard box strung with rubber bands of different sizes becomes a string instrument; a set of drinking glasses filled with water can be struck with spoons to create a xylophone-like instrument; and two pot lids can be sounded together like cymbals.
Ethnomusicology helps musicians and music educators understand the ways that people around the world make music. It increases awareness of diversity issues in the musical world and teaches how to bring this knowledge into general harmony, choral, and instrumental classrooms.
The members of the Minnesota Percussion Trio could be mistaken for neighborhood handypersons carrying 5-gallon buckets brimming with odds and ends found in homes, schools, garages, and the street. They use wood blocks, tin cans, recycled sporting equipment, spoons, and grocery bags to create contemporary music.
Discover Music in Your Neighborhood
Discovering new music has always been more challenging than with various tools and apps. Music discovery apps craft personalized mixes that complement your taste and even recommend similar artists. Most streaming platforms also have a radio station option that plays songs based on genre or artist.
Music podcasts also feature various topics, from pop culture to critical music industry analysis. The more popular ones include XOXO, Lost Notes, and Popcast.
A fun way to discover new music is to check out local events calendars for bands, musical groups, and concerts. You can often find upcoming shows on social media or through a venue’s website. This is an excellent opportunity to connect with musicians and support them in their artistic endeavors. You may even meet a new music-loving BFF.
Create a Postcard
Students can create a postcard for their use or the Postcrossing project, an international exchange that allows people to send and receive real postcards in the mail from random strangers worldwide. The postcards feature the name and address of the recipient, a stamp, and a handwritten message written by the sender.
AI-powered Appy Pie Design makes it easy to customize postcard templates by providing various options for text, fonts, colors, and images. Students can add unique touches using the intuitive layout tool to make the final product more personal and meaningful. Once the design is finished, students can view it in preview and make any necessary adjustments for a visually appealing result. All finalized designs can be saved and shared for free. They can also be resized and repurposed for future projects without paying for additional upgrades. The template files are CMYK, print-ready, and meet printing guidelines.
