This module, intended for grades 4-8, introduces students to Germanic folk music and culture using folk songs that celebrate being outdoors. Recommended for springtime.
This course examines the production, transmission, preservation and qualities of folk music in the British Isles and North America from the 18th century to the folk revival of the 1960s and the present. There is a special emphasis on balladry, fiddle styles, and African-American influences. The class sings ballads and folk songs from the Child and Lomax collections as well as other sources as we examine them from literary, historical, and musical points of view. Readings supply critical and background materials from a number of sources. Visitors and films bring additional perspectives.
An introduction to diverse musical traditions of the world. Music from a wide range of geographical areas are studied in terms of structure, performance practice, social use, aesthetics, and cross-cultural contact. Includes hands-on music making, live demonstrations by guest artists, and ethnographic research projects. This course explores the ways that music is both shaped by and gives shape to the cultural settings in which it is performed, through studying selected musical traditions from around the world. Specific case studies will be examined closely through listening, analysis, and hands-on instruction. The syllabus centers around weekly listening assignments and readings from a textbook with CDs, supplemented by hands-on workshops, lecture/demonstrations and concerts by master musicians from around the world.
This subject investigates the special relation of women to several musical folk traditions in the British Isles and North America. Throughout, we will be examining the implications of gender in the creation, transmission, and performance of music. Because virtually all societies operate to some extent on a gendered division of labor (and of expressive roles) the music of these societies is marked by the gendering of musical repertoires, traditions of instrumentation, performance settings, and styles. This seminar will examine the gendered dimensions of the music -- the song texts, the performance styles, processes of dissemination (collection, literary representation) and issues of historiography -- with respect to selected traditions within the folk musics of North America and the British Isles, with the aim of analyzing the special contributions of women to these traditions. In addition to telling stories about women's musical lives, and studying elements of female identity and subjectivity in song texts and music, we will investigate the ways in which women's work and women's cultural roles have affected the folk traditions of these several countries.
Here are four songs from Japan that young children from any culture may enjoy.
La posada is a Mexican Christmas tradition that young children from any culture will enjoy.
Some traditional songs from Mexico that should appeal to young children of all cultures.
A combination social studies and music course for children at elementary school level. Some lessons feature music to learn; others introduce interesting aspects of music in other cultures. Individual lessons can be used in any order or left out.
An activity for elementary and middle school students that introduces a pentatonic scale often used in the music of east Asia.
A list of the public domain sources for some of the printed musical examples in Connexions.
Teacher's Guide for using the American Roots Music documentary series in the classroom. The resources offered here are designed to help you use the PBS American Roots Music video series and companion Web site in middle school and high school social studies and history classes. American Roots Music may be taped off-air and used for up to a year following broadcast, or you may choose to purchase it through Shop PBS for Teachers.
For elementary school students, some traditional Korean songs to sing in Korean and English.
A traditional lullaby from Uganda to teach to students.
An explanation of some of the terms used to classify music.
This site highlights letters Guthrie wrote in the early 1940s after moving to New York City, where he pursued broadcasting and recording careers, met artists and social activists, and gained a reputation as a songwriter and performer. The site includes a biographical essay, a timeline of Guthrie's life, and an encoded finding aid of Guthrie materials at the Library of Congress.
