MRS. ALVAREZ' MUSIC LISTENING CHALLENGE 2024
Complete the challenge by listening to 5 of the pieces listed per week and earn the opportunity to throw water balloons at Mrs. Alvarez!
This challenge is on the honor system - but watch out - Mrs. Alvarez may ask you questions about these pieces during class, so be ready...
Music is a language that communicates emotion, transcending time and culture.
AMERICAN MUSIC
A CELEBRATION OF OUR MUSICAL HERITAGE
The first musicians in America were the many Native Americans that populated North America before European settlers came. Native Americans used voice, flutes, drums, and other percussion instruments in rituals, celebrations, storytelling, war, hunting, and communicating over distances. When the European settlers came, they brought musical traditions and instruments from the old world. Africans in the new world added their own rhythms and traditions, and, over time, all of these different sounds and musical expressions mixed to create a rich, unique and distinctly American musical culture. As new instruments were developed, new sounds blended with old sounds to produce even more forms of musical expression. With advancement of technology to record music and transmit it to wider audiences through the phonograph, radio, and television, American music began to influence musical cultures all around the world. Today, American artists are still experimenting with new sounds, instruments and forms of musical expression – making American music as diverse as all the different types people who call America home.
THE CHALLENGE!
Over the next 8 weeks, we will explore several different musical styles (genres) that define American music. Some are old and some are new. All are still developing today. We will also get to know some influential American composers and musicians. If you find a piece of music you like, I encourage you to explore the composer or artist and discover what influenced him or her to be a musician. Try listening to other pieces by the same artist, or by different artists within the same musical genre. Most of all, I encourage you to just listen and have fun!
A NOTE TO PARENTS: The selections of music in each genre have been reviewed for appropriate content. However, there may be themes in some songs that are more appropriate for students in older grades. You are the judge as to what is appropriate for your child. Listening as a family, or, choosing the selections you deem appropriate for your children in advance are suggestions. Songs marked with asterisks (*) are songs with themes that may be more appropriate for older students.
How to participate in the challenge: One week at a time, read the introduction to the musical genre, and pick 5 of song selections listed/linked to listen to. That's only 1 song per school day! You may listen to more selections if you like. There are questions at the bottom of each page that can be used for optional family discussion. You may utilize the downloadable record sheet to keep track of the pieces you listened to.
Primary Grades: Students in primary grades may need assistance from an adult or older sibling to navigate the website, read the content, and choose music.
Secondary Grades: Students should be able to navigate the site, read the content, and select music on their own. However, listening as a family is encouraged.