ArtsEdge, Kennedy Center’s interactive website for music and arts education, is a free online resource every teacher, librarian, parent, and caregiver should know about, but probably doesn’t. One of my favorite features was Xploring Xtremes. Kids can explore and analyze musical extremes in dynamics, tempo, and other elements of music, through a variety of listening, … Read more
Westward Ho! Our Texas roots got the best of us in our new spring catalog, which should be arriving in your mailbox any day, if it hasn’t already. We have lots of interesting new materials in all categories, but I think you and your kids will especially enjoy the pioneering spirit of the Old West, … Read more
11-yr.-old Li Cunxin is taken from his family to train at the Beijing Ballet Academy during Mao’s Cultural Revolution. He dances his way to freedom and international acclaim when he courageously defects to the USA. 3 versions of this incredible true story: for adults, young readers, and children.
This bandleader and musical parodist used “found sounds” from hiccups to gunshots in his musical spoofs, paving the way for STOMP, Blast, P.D.Q. Bach, Frank Zappa, Monty Python, & others. He (and Donald Duck) even spoofed Hitler, who probably wasn’t amused.
“I give bird-songs to those who dwell in cities and have never heard them. . .and paint colors for those who see none.” —Messiaen. He used birdsongs and colors as no musician ever had before, bringing beauty and hope even to fellow prisoners in a German POW camp.
Ben Stevenson, celebrating a 40-year career as one of the most acclaimed figures in American ballet, continues to supercharge the Texas Ballet, after turning the Houston Ballet into a worldclass company.
Baby, don’t cry. It’s time for pie! Pies and music are the ultimate comfort food, for little ones of every ilk, in Bake You a Pie, a hardback book and CD by Ellen Olson-Brown & Brian Claflin, illus. by Jeffrey Ebbeler. This story-song book with CD introduces some pretty silly pies, with clever rhyming verses, … Read more
Sandra Boyton’s humorous book & DVD starring B.B. King & the Singing Sock Puppets is a great intro to the blues. And who doesn’t get the blues when you lose your shoes! A great sing-along with the King of the Blues.
“Where the Wild Things Are” & “Higglety Pigglety Pop!” offer a kid-friendly intro to opera. “Let the wild rumpus start” in these fantasy operas by composer Oliver Knussen & author/artist Maurice Sendak.
Millions, including kids and teens, are experiencing Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL), which is irreversible. It is also preventable with early education, and a few simple rules.
Wynton Marsalis says jazz requires 3 things: creativity, communication, and community. His teaching resources for kids illustrate his philosophy of jazz and classical music too.
Enjoy this handy opera glossary of terms from the San Diego Opera.
Opera Study Guides of every broadcast of the Metropolitan Opera since 2000 are easily accessible online in several languages. Over 100 in all!