Musical Themes

American Music

American Music: Tonality, Tradition, and Innovation

The 20th century has been a time of experimentation and development in all art forms. We can see this in the abstract expressionism of Jackson Pollack to the pop art of Andy Warhol. Likewise, American music has shifted its focus from a folk tradition to one driven by acoustic experimentation. Students will work with presenter Daniela Bracchi to uncover the influences of each major style. They will witness how the American tradition, exemplified by Aaron Copland and George Gershwin, gave way to the exploratory techniques of such influential composers as Henry Cowell and John Cage. In addition to acquiring knowledge of early American folk music, students will observe how the music of the century progressed with social development and fused itself with other art forms such as the visual arts and dance. Students will be able to experience firsthand the performance of extended instrumental techniques and will themselves create pieces involving new auditory possibilities.

This program is part of Virtual Music Studio.
Grades: 9-12
Cost: $250
Length: 45 minutes or one regular class period

Story of a Composer: George Gershwin

The 1920s saw a young nation, now free from war, able to develop its own rich culture. Major cities became centers for innovation in music, shunning European classicism for a freedom that was strictly American. It was out of this ideal from which the most well-known of American composers, George Gershwin, emerged. In this program, teaching artist Daniela Bracchi will guide students to make comparisons between the Classical and Jazz idioms and apply these differences to the music of Gershwin within both an historical and social context, gaining exposure to many important works such as Porgy and Bess and Rhapsody in Blue.

This program is part of Virtual Music Studio.
Grades: 7-12
Cost: $250
Length: 45 minutes or one regular class period

Classical & Pop

Classical Meets Pop: How the Two Fall in Love

Join pianist Amir Khosrowpour in a 2-session exploration into what defines music to be classical or to be pop. With live and recorded examples, students will learn to compare the two styles, discuss historical contexts, and discover how the two are one of the same language. Activities include analyzing texts from both styles and discussing how the music speaks for itself. Using the music of Hip-Hop and Rock, students' ability to relate to the music of Mozart, Schubert will be greatly expanded.

This program is part of Virtual Music Studio.
Grades: 8-12
Cost: $250
Length: 45 minutes or one regular class period

Classical Music NOW

In 2 sessions, presenter Amir Khosrowpour debunks the popular myth that classical music is “old and boring.” Exploring music written since 1950 through the present, students will discover the fresh, exciting, and outrageous sounds of what classical music really is. By introducing students to today's music, rather than the classics of 200 years ago, a backdoor of interest will open that can lead to a greater respect and understanding of the classical Greats. Composers discussed range from experimenters John Cage and Karl Stockhausen to pop artists Björk and Radiohead.

This program is part of Virtual Music Studio.
Grades: 8-12
Cost: $250
Length: 45 minutes or one regular class period

General Music

Music and Literature: How the Two Arts Meet

This program is an exploration into the connection between the descriptive power of words and music. Students are given the text in advance with some preliminary questions, and with guided help from teaching artist Taisiya Pushkar, they will discover how music can convey deep meaning without the need of words. Recent cultural phenomenon like Harry Potter are mentioned so students can relate to the composers of the past, and their need for interpretation of well known literature through music. Students will progress from looking at song settings to programmatic pieces, and learn how to recognize the poetry in the music.

This program is part of Virtual Music Studio.
Grades: 7 & 8
Cost: $250
Length: 45 minutes or one regular class period
 

Music, Melody & Me

This program is an educational unit consisting of four lessons (2 pre-videoconference, 1 videoconference and 1 post-videoconference) designed to immerse students in the world of music. Through creative hands-on activities, the use of critical thinking skills, and research, students learn prior to the videoconference about the instrument families and develop an understanding of the various sound qualities that instruments make. Through guided instruction, students then apply the knowledge they have gained by constructing their own musical instruments, which they present to Manhattan School of Music faculty member Earl Carter during the videoconference lesson. This culminates in a spirited interactive exchange in which Carter transforms students’ own motivic ideas into improvisatory compositions.

Students develop an understanding of the basic building blocks of music, melody, and motive throughout the videoconference lesson, which is the centerpiece of the unit. Guided by Carter, students learn how instrumental sounds are fashioned into musical compositions, generating skills to examine the components of themes in music. These concepts are dynamically illustrated through live performance and with the aid of prerecorded video musical examples performed by talented Manhattan School of Music students. Your students come away from the videoconference as more discerning listeners with a heightened appreciation and awareness of how music is made. They will face the challenge of creating melodies of their own during the post-videoconference lesson.

This program is part of Music Bridges.
Grades: 3-5
Cost: $250
Length: 45 minutes or one regular class period
 

Jazz

Duke Ellington: America’s Composer

Duke Ellington is regarded as one of America’s most prolific and important composers. Join pianist Michael Cabe and his trio as they lead students on an interactive exploration of “The Duke’s” life and times – listen to his incomparable music, learn about his legendary band, and discover new and exciting facts about the legend! All this, direct from incredibly talented live musicians – it doesn’t get any better!

This program is part of Virtual Music Studio.
Grades: 4-8
Cost: $275
Length: 45 minutes or one regular class period

The History of Jazz: Swinging Through Time

In this presentation, Michael Cabe, piano, and his trio will trace jazz from its beginnings in New Orleans, to its growth in the big cities of New York and Chicago, and on to its success on the international stage. Students will interact live with the musicians as they get an in-depth look at one of the only true American artforms – they’ll learn about America’s cultural past, hear some popular jazz tunes, and ride along on this trip through time!

This program is part of Virtual Music Studio.
Grades: 3-8
Cost: $275
Length: 45 minutes or one regular class period

Journey Through Jazz, Level I

Pianist Michael Cabe and his trio take students on a field trip through jazz in this presentation. Come along for the ride as the musicians introduce their instruments and each of their “roles” in the trio; hear them talk about the “rules” of jazz, and what happens when those rules are broken; and listen as they play familiar musical examples to demonstrate some common jazz styles. An interactive and exciting way to learn about some of the basic sights and sounds of jazz with live musicians!

This program is part of Virtual Music Studio.
Grades: 1-5
Cost: $275
Length: 45 minutes or one regular class period

Journey Through Jazz, Level II

A trio led by pianist Brenda Earle continues the virtual field trip begun in Journey Through Jazz, Level I with an exploration of jazz as a form of personal expression. Jump on board for this new and exciting journey as the artists teach students to tune up their ears and listen closely to how the songs they’re playing set different moods, show emotions, reflect the roots of the composer, and even help express what went on in history during the times in which the pieces were written. The program concludes with the musicians improvising a tune with help from the students. This is a truly fun and interactive way to take things to the next level and learn even more about jazz!

This program is part of Virtual Music Studio.
Grades: 4-8
Cost: $275
Length: 45 minutes or one regular class period

Opera

Opera & Me: My Story

Join mezzo-soprano Shelly Wade as she takes students on a virtual journey through her life as an opera singer. Assisted by pianist Mila Henry, Shelly tells the story of her first experience with opera as a young girl in a tiny town in the Deep South all the way to her days as a conservatory student in New York City. Throughout this presentation, Shelly showcases her wonderful voice in a variety of song styles, and introduces students to the colorful characters who played important roles in her musical life story. Costumes, crazy voices, and hijinks abound!

This program is part of Virtual Music Studio.
Grades: 1-5
Cost: $250
Length: 45 minutes or one regular class period

World Music

East Meets West

Percussionist Rohin Khemani and saxophonist Max Wild take elementary schoolchildren on a diverting and educational journey through the world of music. Introducing the concept of music as a universal language, Rohin and Max demonstrate how Eastern and Western cultures converge in music. Using the exotic combination of Indian tabla and jazz saxophone as the basis for their conversations in rhythm and melody, Rohin and Max create an interactive experience that is as educational as it is entertaining.

This program is part of Virtual Music Studio.
Grades: 1-5
Cost: $250
Length: 45 minutes or one regular class period