Educational Videos
On-demand video series' highlighting the music of Black Composers and additional musical topics.
We've created two on-demand videos series, adaptable and ready-to-use in music classrooms for students of all ages.
Each video gives you necessary resources to introduce the works of Black composers and musical themes (including performance etiquette, musical imagination, and more). Accompanying curriculum materials to performance videos are designed to deepen students' understanding of each piece of music, and promote more profound listening to understand society and culture.
Learn more below about D-Composed's signature performance series, Black Composers 101, and OrchKids's eclectic series, Did You Know?.
Black Composers 101
The Early Creators: Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges
In this segment, we highlight composers from the 17th - early 20th century meant to shine a light on the fact that the history of Black composers spans far back in time.
Hear a snippet of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges "String Quartet No. 3"
Beyond Classical: Tomeka Reid
Explore musical compositions that are inspired by various Black musical styles such as Gospel, Spirituals, R&B, and Hip-Hop.
In this segment listen to a snippet of Tomeka Reid's "Prospective Dwellers" and discover the various elements of jazz.
Music of the Diaspora: Gifrants
We explore the African Diaspora, with compositions that draw inspiration from the Caribbean, Africa, and Latin America.
Here, the quartet plays Gifrants "Mizik Demafwa" Listen to a snippet of this living Haitian composer's work.
Music for Storytelling: Jean "Rudy" Perrault
Composers use their compositions to tell stories and shine a light on causes or stories they want to highlight.
Here is a snippet of Jean "Rudy" Perrault's "Exodus for String Quartet III. Hope" A piece that highlights the plight of those forced from their homeland.
Improvisation & Experimentation: Joy Guidry
In this segment, we highlight pieces that feature the use of experimental methods such as improvisation and electronics.
Hear a snippet of Joy Guidry's "On the Wings of a Hummingbird" and see how the ensemble improvises with the electronics with Joy's graphic score.
The Early Creators: Florence Price
We're returning to 1929 to hear Florence Price's first string quartet. In this segment, the quartet performs String Quartet in G Major.
Beyond Classical: Damien Geter
Explore the many sounds of Black music through Damien Geter's Neo Soul.
Hear the string quartet perform Movement 1: Bop and listen for the neo-soul & hip-hop influences found throughout the piece.
Music of the Diaspora: William Grant Still
Hear the rhythms of Panamanian folk tunes with a performance of Danzas de Panama by William Grant Still.
Music for Storytelling: Sam Cooke
Listen to the moving and soul-stirring sounds of Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come," arranged by Joel Thompson, and listen to the powerful Civil Rights Anthem.
Experimentation & Improvisation: Jessie Montgomery
Hear the West African rhythms and improvisation from the string quartet in the energetic and rhythmic Voodoo Dolls by Jessie Montgomery.
Standards Alignment: National Core Arts Standards (Responding)
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MU:Re7.2.H.8a — Perceive and analyze artistic work
Did You Know?
Musical Careers
Conductors
Other Musical Languages
The Overtone Series
Performance Etiquette
Listening and Musical Imagination
Standards Alignment: National Core Arts Standards (Connecting)
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MU:Cn10.1.PK-8 or MU:Pr4.1.3a — Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding
Boulanger Initiative
virtual course series
Women Writing Opera Virtual Conversation Series
Join Boulanger Initiative co-founder Dr. Laura Colgate for three conversations with leading women composers about the stories, ideas, and creative processes behind their operas. Featuring Sarah Kirkland Snider’s Hildegard, Missy Mazzoli’s Lincoln in the Bardo, and Gabriela Lena Frank’s El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego, the series explores the many ways these groundbreaking composers are shaping the sound and possibilities of opera today. Hear directly from the composers about the people and stories that inspired their work, the research and collaboration behind each opera, and the musical choices that bring their worlds to life.
Asynchronous viewing available!
Standards Alignment: National Core Arts Standards (Responding)
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MU:Re8.1.6 — 8: Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work
Standards Alignment: National Core Arts Standards (Connecting)
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MU:Cn10.1.3 — 8: Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepend understanding