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Every month in the music classroom should include works by BIPOC creators, composers, and authors. However, Black History Month always gives me a chance to reflect on the resources that I am using and add some new ones to my repertoire.
This year I made a BHM virtual classroom so that each grade level can explore either as a whole class or in small groups or individually. At the end of this post, there is a link to make a copy of this for use in your own class.
Black History Month Virtual Music Classroom
What's Included:
History of African American Music: 5 minute video explaining the roots of African American music and it's influence on music today
Who was Ella Fitzgerald?
Ella Jane Fitzgerald was an American jazz singer who earned the names “First Lady of Song,” “Queen of Jazz,” and “Lady Ella.” She was known for her clear tone, impeccable improvisational abilities, and especially for her scat singing.
Here’s an example of scat singing: Exploring Jazz Vocals and Scat Singing
Black Violin
Black Violin is an American hip hop duo. The two members Kevin Sylvester and Wilner Baptiste, who go by the names Kev Marcus and Wil B., are two classically trained string musicians.
Wil tells a story of wanting to play the saxophone as a kid but the viola was the only instrument available. Baptiste said, “I stuck with the viola and it opened a lot of doors for me.” in a 2012 interview. He went on to attend Florida State University on a full scholarship.
Kev said in a 2012 interview that “[he] didn’t want to be the violinist in my neighborhood” but when he was in 5th grade his mom decided that he needed to get involved in something so she took him to Saturday morning violin class. He went on to attend Florida International University on a full scholarship.
They got together and started to perform at local venues and eventually submitted an audition tape to Showtime at The Apollo. When they were selected to be on the show, they won.
Since then they have been performing around the world and touring with nearly 200 shows a year. They also have a philanthropic organization, The Black Violin Foundation, which reaches over 100,000 students each year through free performances and work through symphonies, communities, and Title 1 schools.
Grimmz Fairy Tales
This reimagining of classic fairy tales by the Grimm Brothers. This short video is a mashup of the nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty with several other recognizable nursery rhymes and songs.
See the longer version of the modern hip hop fairy tales by checking out their YouTube video HERE
Walking Blues: A Tribute to Robert Johnson
From Playing for Change "In honor of blues legend Robert Johnson's birthday, we are proud to share our latest Song Around The World, "Walking Blues," featuring Keb' Mo' along with musicians from six countries. Originally written and recorded by Son House in 1930, Robert recorded his own version in 1936. We started our version in Patagonia, Argentina with Roberto Luti and Nico Bereciartua playing slide guitars in front of a 100-year-old fig tree and with that raw performance, we added friends as we traveled to create a blues jam around the world. Blues is always from the people for the people and this video creates a moment in time to come together and put all the darkness and division we face as a human race into the music so it can set us free. Turn it up and enjoy!"
Here is a link to Playing for Change and their Black History Month playlist
Books
Trombone Shorty
Troy Andrews, known as Trombone Shorty, is a musician from New Orleans, Louisiana. The book tells about his life, how he got his stage name, and how he became a famous musician.
Here he is with his band performing a Tiny Desk Concert
Firebird: By Misty Copeland
In this video, the book is read by it's author who also talks briefly about her experience being a young black dancer.
From Penguin Random House, "In her debut book, Misty Copeland tells the story of a young girl–an every girl–whose confidence is fragile and who is questioning her own ability to reach the heights that Misty has reached."
Every Little Thing: Based on the song by Bob Marley; Adapted by Cedella Marley
Based on the song Three Little Birds by Bob Marley
I Got the Rhythm: By Connie Schofield-Morrison
From Google Books, "On a simple trip to the park, the joy of music overtakes a mother and daughter. The little girl hears a rhythm coming from the world around her- from butterflies, to street performers, to ice cream sellers everything is musical!"
Make a Copy of Black History Month Virtual Music Classroom Here
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