students

2008-2009

Perspectives on American Music
Studio Theme, 2002 - 2003

In the fall of 2002 our Studio will look at American Music from three different perspectives and answer some important questions:

Folk Songs
What songs mean the most to you?
How can you pick out a song by ear?
How do you harmonize or find accompaniments that go with folk melodies?
Can you hear folk tunes in larger compositions?

Jazz (go to www.pbs.org/jazz/kids/ to get started)
How did rags and blues lead to jazz and rock?
Who are some of the great jazz pianists?
What musical elements make jazz special?
How can you make your jazz swing?

Places
What music is associated with the rivers, cities, or states you know best?
Are there place songs that members of my family hold dear?
How can I take a musical journey to a place I.ve never been?
What has happened to the contest to find a new state song for Virginia?

Go to www.vipnet.org/song/song.html and listen to the finalists.