Music Resources for Teachers
In Defense of Our Teachers
This super special video called “In Defense of Our Teachers” is an audio message brought to you by Dave Grohl, dad, rockstar, and American singer-songwriter of the FooFighters. It was originally an essay published in The Atlantic to explain the concerns many teachers are feeling right now because of the global pandemic. As the child of a (now retired) educator, he relays his mother’s advice as well as highlights the essentiality of teachers in our current world.
NYPhil Plays On
For the first time ever, The New York Philharmonic comes together to bring us a virtual version of their summer tradition since 1956, “Concerts in the Park @ Home”! This video includes clips from Didi and Oscar Schafer presenting both video highlights from years past (Andrea Bocelli, Luciano Pavarotti, and Joshua Bell), and new recordings from the homes of Philharmonic musicians themselves!
Fun Music Activities for Zoom
Children's Music Teacher and Youtuber, Becca Davis gives us some of her virtual classroom tips and tricks. She explains, “When all of this distance learning stuff began, I was STRUGGLING to figure out what to do with my students on video calls…Fortunately for you, I have now figured out a couple of fun things to do.” Watch to find out how you can engage your students in ways you may not have imagined would work so well digitally!
Ms. Wonderly Makes Music At Home
Ms.Wonderly, music teacher extraordinaire, has spearheaded virtual musical lessons on her instagram, facebook, and youtube pages for us all to enjoy. The videos from her series “Ms. Wonderly Makes Music at Home” each encompass about 30 minutes of music playing, book reading, dancing, and all sorts of engagement that children can enjoy. Originally live facebook classes, these eight lessons have been uploaded to youtube so that any teacher, parent or students can access them.
New York Philharmonic Teacher Resources
The New York Philharmonic put together the pdf versions of their yearly educational booklets for students. These booklets are incredibly informative and accessible to all. They not only include pages of history, but also have very interactive “activity” components that bring the concepts alive, complete with time allotments so you can plan lessons ahead! Each booklet has units worth of material exploring composers, instruments, symphonies, historical context, musical revolution, and interactive exercises that encourage children to think in new ways.
New York Philharmonic Youtube
The New York Philharmonic has a robust collection of videos on their Youtube channel for children and adults interested in a various array of topics. There are many recent videos which implore social distancing, as well as archives of concerts from years past. The channel is highly active and has a diverse group of video makers and teachers. Check it out for music in an up to date context!
Music DNA
Amed Torrecilla brings us a special episode focused on composers of the African Diaspora. He sits with musician Kevin Bumpers to dissect different aspects of black classical music such as why it should be taught and who made it come alive. Bumpers plays three pieces by Florence B Price, an African American female composer, as well as “Out of the Silence” by William Grant Still, considered the “dean” of Black composers, as well as many others. This piece was arranged by Bumpers for piano duo. The forty minute long video is essentially a classical concert performed by Bumpers with information interludes of conversation that he shares with Torrecilla.
