AUGUST MUSIC LESSON TEACHING RESOURCES PART 1 for 2025
Many schools formally begin classes in August. This is when teachers decorate their classrooms with posters/anchor charts and beautiful quotes and get to know students and their needs.
MTR has music lesson teaching resources to help teachers with those activities. These BTS resources break the ice and make the first month of the school year fun!
4 AUGUST is Louis Armstrong's Birthday
Louis Armstrong, nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American trumpeter and vocalist among the most influential figures in jazz.
Armstrong had a solid five-decade career and was popular in many countries. He was known for his recognizable singing voice and improvisation skills.
In 2017, Armstrong was posthumously inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame.
MTR offers many resources focusing on Armstrong and his music:
4 AUGUST is Terri Lyne Carrington's Birthday
Terri Lyne Carrington is an American jazz drummer, composer, producer, and educator.
Terri was a powerhouse drummer on late-night TV shows in the late 1980s.
Her debut album, Real Life Story, was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1989.
Carrington was the first woman to win a Grammy in the Best Jazz Instrumental Album category.
Terri is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice in Detroit, MI.
Students can learn much from studying Terri Lyne Carrington's life and career:
6 AUGUST is Barbara Strozzi's Birthday
Barbara Strozzi was an Italian composer and singer of the Baroque period. She was declared a virtuoso by 15.
Strozzi was among only a few women in the 17th century to publish their compositions. She published eight volumes of her music and had more in print than any other composer of the era.
This MTR resource is a perfect accompaniment to educating young students about Barbara Strozzi's life and music:
8 AUGUST is Cecile Chaminade's Birthday
Cecile Chaminade was a French composer and pianist.
In 1913, she was awarded the Légion d'Honneur, the highest French order of merit for military and civil. Chaminade was the first female composer to receive the order.
Cecile composed almost 200 piano works and 125 songs. This is notable considering the difficulties she faced as a female composer.
There's a lot to learn from Cecile Chaminade, and this MTR resource combines them all for fun learning:
16 AUGUST is Madonna's Birthday
Madonna Louise Ciccone, best known as Madonna (born August 16, 1958), is an American singer-songwriter.
Madonna is regarded as one of the most significant figures in popular culture. The Guinness World Records certifies Madonna as the best-selling female recording artist, with sales of over 300 million records worldwide.
Use this MTR resource to help students learn about Madonna and her music in an engaging way:
21 AUGUST is Lili Boulanger's Birthday
Lili Boulanger was a French composer born on March 15, 1918. Boulanger was a child prodigy - her talent was apparent at the age of two.
Lili was the first female winner of the Prix de Rome in 1913, the most prestigious honor for artists at that time.
Boulanger's music is noted for its lush harmonies, instrumentation, and elegant text setting.
Lili Boulanger may have only lived for 24 short years, but there is plenty to learn about her life and music:
Download the 'AUGUST Teaching Ideas and Resources' as a PDF to keep in your files for quick access.
See PART 2 of this blog post.
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