Looking for a simple and straightforward reference on the Enlightenment for your young historians? Check out this list of key terms and important figures from the period, followed by a traditional assessment where your learners will be...

In this music worksheet, students learn about the sonata form of music composition. Students read about the 3 main sections of the sonata form: exposition, development and recapitulation followed by a coda. There are no questions on the...

See how the number of orchestra members increased from the Baroque period through the Classical, up to the Romantic. You can print each orchestra seating chart.

Read about the flute, how it produces sound, and how it's made. Learn about the woodwind family and the differences in the divisions in the three branches of this family. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to hear the flute alone, and...

This site contains extensive information on William Grant Still. Includes details on his works and a timeline of his life. Primary source material too!

The double bass is the largest string instrument, and is the bass member of the family. Read about how to play this instruments and how it works. Use Windows Media Player or RealAudio to listen to samples of the double bass on it's own...

This resource describes how William Grant Still (1895-1978 CE) started out playing the violin and then began teaching himself to play other string instruments as well as the oboe, clarinet, and saxophone. His most famous work is...

If you have seen "Jaws," "ET-the Extraterrestrial," "Star Wars" trilogy and prequel, or "Indiana Jones," you have heard this composer's work. Read more about his life and work. Listen to his music using RealAudio or Windows Media Player.

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...

Interested in popular and serious music, Gershwin (1898-1937) played a big part in bringing jazz to a more important place in American music. He helped mix it with classical music in his compositions. Read more about his work, including...

Tchaikovsky (1840-1893 CE) went to boarding school at the age of eight and studied law. He finished and obtained a position with the Ministry of Justice when he was 19. How did he go from there to becoming a famous composer? Use this...

The trumpet has the highest pitch in the brass family. Read more about the trumpet and about the brass family of instruments in general when using this resource. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to listen to the trumpet by itself...

Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953 CE) wrote his first opera when he was twelve-years-old. One of his most famous works is "Peter and the Wolf." Use this site to read a biography and listen to his music using RealAudio or Windows Media Player.

A short biography of the American ragtime pianist, Scott Joplin.

In-depth information site on Venus, complete with a thorough glossary, links to a wide array of related sites, thumbnail picture files linked to larger images, and even a short audio file from a classic symphony.

Castanets are a percussion instruments. Read more about them at this resource. Use this resource to learn more about the percussion family of the orchestra. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to hear castanets play with the orchestra.

Dimitri Shostakovich's (1906-1975 CE) first job was playing piano at a movie house when he was still quite young. He lost the job because he would laugh so hard at the funny parts of the movie that he would quit playing. Read more about...

At this resource listen to a selection of audio clips that feature the works of a full range of composers and a full orchestra of instruments. Scroll down an alphabetical list to find the composer or instrument you want, then choose the...

Read about the woodwind family and how it is divided. Learn about the piccolo and how it is played. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to listen to the piccolo on its own and with the orchestra.

Learn about the oboe and how it is played. Read more about the woodwind family. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to hear the oboe on its own or with the orchestra.

Use this resource to learn about the English horn and read about the woodwind family. Use ReadAudio or Windows Media Player to hear the English Horn by itself and with the orchestra.

Use this resource to learn about the bass clarinet, and read about the woodwind family. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to hear the bass clarinet on its own and with the orchestra.

Use this resource to learn about the percussion family of the orchestra. The triangle is part of this group of instruments. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to hear the triangle on its own and with the orchestra.

Have you ever wondered what those big bowl shaped drums were? They are timpani. Use this resource to learn more about them and the percussion family of the orchestra. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to listen to the timpani play...