Library of Congress
Loc: Marching to a New Tune
Learn about John Philip Sousa's last composition, "The Library of Congress March," which was performed for the first time in 2003.
Other
Guitar Nine: So You Want to Be a Songwriter?
As the title suggests, this column deals with songwriting. It does not tell you specifically how to write a song, but it does cover a lot of good information and advice and how to get started.
Other
Rock Instrumental Songwriting
Aimed primarily at the young guitarist, this column addresses how to begin writing your own songs. There is some good advice on how to begin to think of the structure of your song as opposed to just thinking of a few riffs.
Other
Examples of Music Scores: Hildegard of Bingen
Images and descriptions of original compositions by Bingen.
Other
Afri Classical: Scott Joplin (C. 1867 1917)
A detailed biography of Scott Joplin's life, with a resource list and a lengthy bibliography that includes his musical compositions.
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,...
PBS
Pbs Kids Go: Chuck Vanderchuck "Something Something" Explosion!
Interactive site that teaches kids about jazz, jazz instruments, and writing jazz music. Includes games,videos, and lots of great sounds.
Other
Georg Philipp Telemann: A Biographical Note
A nice, in-depth biography on composer Georg Philipp Telemann is found here. Details on his compositions and life as a composer are given.
PBS
Pbs: Caillou's Magic Keyboard
This site allows young children to explore composition using elements supplied by the program, to create short, original musical pieces. The instructions are read aloud.
Other
Virtual Composer
Compose music with this interesting online tool. To compose, you click small boxes on a grid. The grid is continuously scanned with a line that passes over your clicked boxes which in turn plays their sounds. You can listen to other...
Classical Net
Classical Net: Johann David Heinichen
A very interesting page outlining the life of composer Johann David Heinichen. This site includes his biography, a list of his compositions and links to some of his recorded music.
Classical Net
Classical Net: Francis Poulenc
A look at the life of French composer, Francis Poulenc and the influences on his music. Contains a list of his compositions.
Other
Berklee.com: Composition Major
This site gives details to what a composer, an arranger, and a conductor really do. Includes other related careers as well.
Then Again
Then Again: Web Chron: Frederick Chopin
This site from the North Park University provides a brief biographical sketch of pianist Frederick Chopin describes briefly the Polish nationalist themes in his compositions.
Lonely Planet
Lonely Planet: Russia
A concise summary on the cultural heritage of Russia. The fields of literature, architecture, ballet, musical composition and performance are mentioned, as well as language and religion.
Other
George Crumb: Echoes of Time and the River
Part of a program, these notes on Crumb and his composition have some good information, and some good quotes.
Other
The Official George Crumb Home Page
The official site, with sections devoted to his life, compositions, recordings, writings, and news. The news section has internet links, and the site has a search function!
PBS
Pbs: Benjamin Franklin: An Extraordinary Life: Franklin's Glass Armonica
Read a short essay about Franklin's invention of a musical instrument--the glass armonica. Includes a sound file of a composition by Mozart played on Franklin's instrument.
San Diego State University
Four Part Rummy
A fun card game that you can create for your music class. Students should first be given instruction on the various instruments and their ranges. Then students will be given the card game to help them remember and reinforce the concept...
On Being
Speaking of Faith: On Being: Bach's Bible
Presented is an illustrated narrative slideshow that talks about the Bible's influence on one of Bach's compositions "Mass in B Minor." [ 3:48]
NPR: National Public Radio
Npr: Franz Joseph Haydn
This is a biography on Franz Joseph Haydn. It also includes an audio lecture on Haydn with his music as a background to the lecture.
Other
George Frideric Handel: Home Page
This site has indepth information on Handel. It goes from birth to death and beyond. Contains chronological listing of when compositions were composed and where performed. Also has a good reference page for more info.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Translucent, Transparent, and Opaque Objects
Students will become familiar with transparent, translucent, and opaque objects. Students predict whether items are transparent, translucent, or opaque. Finally, students will show what they have learned by producing a song, poem, cheer,...
Phil Tulga
Phil Tulga: Fraction Pie Rhythms
Using pies, this interactive site allows you to create your own rhythmic songs. A whole pie equals a whole note, a half pie equals a half note and so on. There are also example songs to listen to.