John F. Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center: Summon the Heroes: Classical Music to the Rescue
Throughout the ages, composers have celebrated the accomplishments of famous heroes through music. What does a hero sound like? Get ready to find out!
National Arts Centre (Canada)
Arts Alive: Ludwig Van Beethoven
This site from the National Arts Centre of Canada explores the life of Beethoven (1770-1827 CE). Read about his education, musical contemporaries, loss of hearing, and his death. There are also discussions of many of his famous works,...
Other
Mnhs: The Wpa Federal Art Projects in Minnesota, 1935 1943 [Pdf]
An exhaustive look at the arts projects funded by the WPA Federal Arts program in Minnesota. These included music, writing, and pictorial projects throughout the state. This PDF file includes pictures and extensive footnotes.
Other
Mississippi Arts Commission: Black Gospel Music
An extensive article on black gospel music and its origins. Discusses the evolution of the music and it's cultural impact.
A&E Television
History.com: Woodstock 1969: How a Music Festival That Should've Been a Disaster Became Iconic Instead
Fifty years later, people are still trying to match the bizarre accident that was Woodstock '69. The Woodstock Music and Art Fair began on August 15, 1969, as half a million people gathered on a dairy farm in Bethel, New York. Billed as...
State of Florida
Florida Historical Resources: Musical Brocade: Ann Yao and Zheng Music
An article on the history of the "Zheng," an ancient Chinese stringed musical instrument and how it is still used today in music performances.
PBS
Pbs: Black and Blue: Jazz in Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man
Ralph Ellison was a musician who later became a writer. His book Invisible Man is written like a jazz composition. In this lesson, students will interpret key themes and concepts in Invisible Man that are also found in jazz music.
Other
Leather Puppets of India
Use this site to learn about the fascinating world of Gypsy-made leather puppets. This nomadic tribe is always on the move carrying their puppets and musical instruments seeking permission from village leaders to perform for monetary...
Other
Recreation Arts Dance: Salsa vs. Mambo
An article discussing the similarities and differences between Salsa and the Mambo, both Latin American dances. The article mainly discusses the steps of both dances, but has some information about the style and feel of the music.
Other
U.s. House Unanimously Passes Resolution Supporting School Based Music Education
Recognizing that music education develops skills for the 21st century workforce, the U.S. House unanimously passed House Concurrent Resolution 121 in April, 2007. This resolution supports the need to have music education accessible to...
Other
Boston Globe: Arts Skills Are Life Skills
According to this article "the ability to think outside the box" is exactly what businesses are looking for from prospective employees. This article explains how the arts foster creativity in students thus preparing them for the workforce.
Other
Webster's World of Cultural Policy: New Deal Cultural Programs
Detailed explanation of the cultural programs provided by the New Deal and the Second New Deal, including such things as the Works Progress Administration, the Federal Art Project, the Federal Music Project, the Federal Theatre project,...
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Gilder Lehrman Institute: History Now: The Wpa: Antidote to the Great Depression?
[Free Registration/Login Required] A good assessment of the Works Progress Administration and its contribution not only of providing jobs for the unemployed during the Great Depression, but for the lasting improvements it made in the...
Other
Al Jadid Magazine: The Legacy of the Late Sheikh Imam
In this obituary-type article, Sheikh Imam's life and musical work are recounted. He is recognized as the "Creator of Modern Arabic Political Song," and the article credits his music with helping the political movements in the Arab world...
Other
Al Mashriq: Abdul Wahab: Father of Modern Egyptian Song
This is a reprint of an article from Al Jadid magazine. It discusses the career and influence of Abdul Wahab on the world of modern Arab music.
Other
Accordions Worldwide: The Tex Mex Sound
This site explains the origins of Tex-Mex music and gives background on its leading contributers.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Buddhism in Japan
Buddhism would revolutionize many aspects of Japanese life including music, dance, a new writing system, and above all, elaborate Buddhist art. View a picture of a Buddhist sculpture and read a brief history of Buddhism in Japan.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: The Shosoin Repository and Its Treasure
The Shosoin Repository survived both war and fire, leaving virtually all the ancient cultural treasures intact. The thousands of items preserved in the Shosoin repository include manuscripts, musical instruments, textiles, shoes,...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Storytelling in Ritual and Performance in Bali
Balinese stories are continually told and retold. The Kayonan is the first and last puppet seen in the Balinese wayang shadow theater. As it dances, it symbolizes the living tradition of storytelling that deeply explains and entertains,...
Other
Curriculum Rationale
Why are the arts important in education? This article explains why arts education is important to helping develop 21st century skills in todays students.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Dynasty, Revolution, and the Classical Age
Welcome to Britain, home to one of the biggest empires in history and a rich artistic heritage. We'll start in the 16th through the 18th centuries, years that saw the establishment of Britain and British art as we know it. As you travel...
Other
District Administration: Without Boundaries
Technology is becoming more and more of an integral part of arts education. This article discusses how technology can enhance arts education by helping students explore their own creative talents.
Other
Post Gazette: Creativity Trumps Analytical Skills in New Economy, Expert Says
In an ever growing trend towards teaching 21st-century skills, it is more and more evident that creative thinking skills are as important as ever in the workplace. This article discusses the role arts education must have in the...
Other
Creativity Trumps Analytical Skills in New Economy, Expert Says
In an ever growing trend towards teaching 21st-century skills, it is more and more evident that creative thinking skills are as important as ever in the workplace. This article discusses the role of arts education must have in the...