AUGUST MUSIC LESSON RESOURCES PART 2 for 2024

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This is the second part of a two-part post on music lesson teaching resources for August.

You'll find 'AUGUST MUSIC LESSON TEACHING RESOURCES PART 1 for 2024' HERE.

22 AUGUST is Claude Debussy's Birthday

Achille-Claude Debussy was a French composer and one of the most influential composers of the early 20th century. Debussy started studying at the very strict Paris Conservatory when he was only ten. It was France's leading music college.

Debussy's unusual chords, based on the whole-tone scale, laid the groundwork for an unconventional style of music called impressionism.

Make learning about Debussy fun and engaging with this MTR resource:

25 AUGUST is Leonard Bernstein's Birthday

Leonard Bernstein was an American composer and conductor. Among the most important conductors of his time, he was also the first American conductor to receive international acclaim.

When Bernstein was named music director of the New York Philharmonic, he was the first American to become the permanent conductor of a major American orchestra. Bernstein wrote in many styles, including symphonic, orchestral, ballet, and chamber music, as a composer.

Bernstein's best-known work is the Broadway musical West Side Story, which continues to be regularly performed worldwide and was made into an Academy Award-winning feature film.

MTR offers two excellent teaching resources focusing on Bernstein:

27 AUGUST is Alice Coltrane's Birthday

Alice Coltrane was an American jazz musician and composer who spent most of her life seeking spirituality in music and her private life.

An accomplished pianist and one of the few harpists in jazz history, Alice recorded many albums as a bandleader.

Coltrane's interest in gospel, classical, and jazz music led to the creation of her innovative style.

Deepen your students' appreciation of Coltrane and her music with this MTR resource:

27 AUGUST is Rebecca Clarke's Birthday

Rebecca Clarke was a British-American classical composer and violist. Internationally renowned as a viola virtuoso, she became one of the first female professional orchestral players.

Clarke was the first to play with the Queen's Hall Orchestra and found her female ensemble - the English Ensemble piano quartet.

28 AUGUST is LeAnn Rimes' Birthday

Margaret LeAnn Rimes Cibrian, known professionally as LeAnn Rimes, is an American country and pop singer.

Rimes topped the charts at age 13 with her rendition of Bill Mack's song "Blue". This has made her the youngest country music star since Tanya Tucker in 1972.

LeAnn has won many awards, including three Grammys (all in 1997).

Make learning about LeAnn Rimes fun and engaging with this MTR resource:

29 AUGUST is Dinah Washington's Birthday

Dinah Washington was an American R&B singer and pianist cited as "the most popular black female recording artist of the '50s".

Dinah was noted for her excellent voice control and unique gospel-influenced delivery.

Washington was a 1986 inductee of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.

Students will appreciate Dinah Washington more with this MTR resource:

29 AUGUST is Charlie Parker's Birthday

Charlie Parker, nicknamed "Bird" or "Yardbird", was an American jazz saxophonist.

Parker was considered one of the greatest jazz saxophonists, specifically alto saxophonists.

Charlie profoundly influenced a generation of jazz performers, and musicians still pay tribute to his innovative bop style.

Learn more about Parker and his music with this MTR resource:

31 AUGUST is Itzhak Perlman’s Birthday

Itzhak Perlman is an Israeli-American violinist, conductor, and music teacher.

One of the finest violinists of his time, Perlman delighted audiences and critics with his flawless virtuoso technique, rich tone, and expressive style.

Itzhak has been awarded 16 Grammy Awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and four Emmy Awards.

This MTR resource helps young students learn more about Perlman: