Library of Congress
Loc: African American Sheet Music, 1850 1920
View 1,300 pieces of sheet music composed by and about African Americans between 1850-1920.
PBS
Pbs: American Masters: Aaron Copland
Detailed biography of American composer. Site includes photos and timeline of major works.
PBS
Pbs American Masters: Richard Rodgers
This site has a comprehensive biography of the American composer. Site details Rodgers collaboration with lyricist Lorenz Hart and later work with Oscar Hammerstein. There is also the "Career Timeline" or the audio/video resources found...
Brown University
Brown University Library: African American Sheet Music: James Bland
This website is an excellent source for information on James Bland and his music. Includes images of his sheet music, complete with notes and links to related information on African-American music and popular music from the post-Civil...
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Listen by Composer: George Gershwin
A brief overview of composer George Gershwin, accompanied with audio samples of his music.
PBS
Pbs: American Masters: Leonard Bernstein
A brief biography of American composer Leonard Bernstein is presented here. Read the highlights of his career and contributions to music.
Naxos Digital Services
Naxos Digital Services: Composers
From a major publisher of classical music, this website provides a brief biography and picture of literally hundreds of composers of classical music. The discographies at the bottom of each biography allow you to find CDs and often...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Smithsonian Jazz: Duke Ellington
This site provides audio clips, photos, and biographical information of this legendary composer and performer. A match game teaches and tests your knowledge of Ellington.
PBS
Encyclopedia of Composers & Songwriters
A great resource for learning about some of America's greatest composers and songwriters. From Irving Berlin to George Gershwin, among other, this resource provides biographies, pictures and some video.
Other
Stephen Collins Foster: American Dreams
This site provides a wealth of information about the American songwriter, Stephen Foster. This link leads you to the biographical information which is divided into five sections: beginnings, his life's work, the legend, the problems, and...
University of Pittsburgh
Center for American Music Stephen Foster's Career
This University of Pittsburgh site provides a wealth of information about American songwriter Stephen Foster. This link discusses his professional career with various other links within the text about minstrel shows, etc. Return to the...
PBS
Pbs American Masters: John Cage
Read about this unusual but creative modern classical composer. Highlighting his major works, this short biography explores his philosophy of music.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: How Tweet It Is: Bird Songs in Classical Music
Do you enjoy singing contests like American Idol? Well, male songbirds have their own version of a singing competition that has been going on for thousands of years, and classical musical composers have been taking notes. In this music...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Smithsonian Jazz: Duke's Music Class
Learn about jazz from the master, Duke Ellington. Three activities explore his role as jazz composer, orchestra leader, and pianist.
PBS
Pbs: Broadway: The American Musical: Operetta
As part of a larger look at the American musical, this brief look at the popularity of the operetta in the last part of the 19th century discusses why it was so popular with the middle class. Included is a short video that discusses...
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Composer Aaron Copland
Composer Aaron Copland came from humble beginnings. He wrote music that captured the American spirit. This site provides a biography of Copland.
Other
Art of the States
Listen to complete high quality music files from many of America's composers and performers. You can search by composer, performer, genre, instrumentation or time period.
NPR: National Public Radio
Npr: A Centennial Tribute to Richard Rodgers
This site has a concise summary of the contributions of composer Richard Rodgers to American music and theater. Centennial tribute provides a brief biography and extensive exploration of the musical influences which shaped Rodgers career.
Library of Congress
Loc: Performing Arts Encyclopedia: Take Me Out to the Ball Game
Did you know that the song "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" is over one hundred years old? Find out why this song has enjoyed lasting popularity. Includes an image of the artwork for the sheet music of this song.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Documents Gallery: Ellington and Strayhorn
Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, two of the greatest jazz composers, collaborated on hundreds of works. As you explore this exhibition, you will have an opportunity to view original music scores, listen to audio clips, and view videos...
Other
Afrocentric Voices in Classical Music
Visit this website for short biographies of some of the African American singers and composers who have contributed to the world of Classical music.
University of California
Ucla: Popular American Music
See images and find out about the original sheet music from the early 1900's. Famous songs such as "Dapper Dan", "Down the River", and more. You can search for music by title or author.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Aaron Copland
Aaron Copland (1900-1990 CE) was one of the first composers to put jazzy music into symphonic music, Copland was also one of the greatest American composers. Read more about him and his work. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to...