Resources

MUSIC STORES

While you can go to any music store you choose, here are a few places to start if you are looking for ideas:

WEBSITES

Instrumental Technique and Music

  • Practice with a metronome at home by using www.metronomeonline.com to learn rhythmic accuracy.
  • Violin Online.com, Viola Online.com, Cello Online.com, and FluteTunes.com - These websites are great resources for intermediate and advanced music students filled with technical studies, articles, and music.
  • Making Music Fun - This website has a good selection of free sheet music for students at the beginner, easy, and intermediate levels, composer worksheets, music theory worksheets, practice charts, staff paper, and other resources you can print as well as a library of resources including information about composers and the orchestra.
  • 8notes.com - This website also has a good selection of free sheet music for band and orchestra instruments.

Music History

  • Classics for Kids- Learn more about composers, classical music, and instruments. This site includes games and interactive learning tools. It was created by Naxos, one of the well-respected classical music CD companies. Highly recommended for learning more about music history and hearing famous compositions!
  • DSO Kids - Play music games, learn more about composers, and listen to music in this interactive website created by the Dallas Symphony.
  • Keeping Score - PBS program created by Michael Tilson Thomas with the San Francisco Symphony about classical composers and their music. You can watch episodes, read about the music, and use a timeline/map to learn more about composers from 1775-1950. Highly recommended for older students!

Music Theory

  • Musictheory.net allows you to learn more about music theory, the written language of music. You can read about music theory topics (lessons), play music theory games (exercises), and print your own staff paper (tools).
  • Tone Savvy has a variety of exercises for students. I like this website for its ear training exercises. Start off with going to the Music Theory tab and then choose Rhythm Dictation. After that, explore more exercises that will help develop your ear.
  • G Major Music Theory has a variety of music theory lessons. This comprehensive site offers worksheets and virtual flashcards to learn music theory topics.

Music Activities

Music Dictionary

Music Advocacy

  • Support Music - Learn why the arts are vital to every child's education and how you can take action to support them.
  • Here is a speech from composer Jack Stamp about the value of music in students' lives.
  • Here is an article about the importance of music education and keeping students involved. I highly recommend reading it.
  • Also see our past newsletters for music advocacy information focusing on how music helps students develop their minds,

PLACES TO VISIT

  • The Musical Instrument Museum is a one-of-a-kind gem in the world of music. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, it holds the largest collection of instruments in the world. The second floor includes galleries of instruments from each continent organized by country. Using a wireless headset, you can hear music of these instruments and see videos while you look at the instruments themselves. The first floor includes an artist gallery with famous contemporary musicians' instruments and the experience gallery where guests can play the instruments for themselves. Concerts and special presentations are offered most days for additional experiences. It is well worth the drive or flight to Phoenix to see this outstanding museum!
  • The Museum of Making Music is my favorite museum in Southern California. It is located in Carlsbad, CA and includes a collection of instruments used throughout American history and plenty of instruments to try. They host concerts, workshops, and events throughout the year.

CONCERTS

Northwest Indiana and Chicago

Southern California

Summer Music Camps