Learning
Resources
World music learning resources can be found in many formats, including
recordings, videos, books, magazines, instruments and online media –
as well as live musicians. Here’s a shortlist of some of the best
resources for teachers who wish to integrate world music in their classes.
RECORDED MUSIC
Chain retail outlets
such as A&B Sound and Virgin Records have responded to the growing
numbers of world music listeners by devoting a section of their stock
to music from many cultures. Specialty stores in Vancouver such as Highlife
Record (www.highlifeworldmusic.com)
and Black Swan Records even provide a customer mail order service.
One of many record labels specializing in world music, Putumayo World
Music (www.putumayo.com)
is a U.S. company that produces compilation recordings on themes such
as "music from the coffee lands." World Playground 1 & 2,
are two recent Putumayo CDs that offer educational materials for young
audiences. The online store, Music for Little People (www.mflp.com),
is another source for teachers. A compilation CD comes each month with
a subscription to Rhythm Magazine (www.gorhythm.com).
Each issue now includes a Rhythm 4
Kids article with information on a different culture.
SHEET MUSIC, MUSIC BOOKS AND INSTRUMENTS
Sheet music, music
books and musical instruments from Africa and other regions of the world
are commercially available through retail outlets such as Long & McQuade,
Prussin Music and Tom Lee Music. World Music Press (www.worldmusicpress.com)
in the U.S. has a comprehensive selection of educational materials.
Drums and other percussion instruments from West Africa and Brazil are
available for rent or purchase through music stores or, for expert advice
and discounted prices, go directly to Milton Randall at miltonr@shaw.ca.
WEB SITES
One of the best world
music web sites with information on artists and reports on special events
is CBC Radio’s Global Village (www.globalvillage.ca).
WORLD MUSIC ARTISTS
Having world music
artists present classroom workshops and interact with students generates
real excitement. Many artists, including those listed in Artists
in the Classroom have experience sharing their culture and engaging
young audiences in active learning activities such as instrument building,
dance and drumming. They can also assist educators to develop curriculum
materials and implement them through classroom workshops and artist-in-residence
programs.
For information on the Vancouver School Board's Artist-in-Residence Program,
contact District Student Events Coordinators (Arts) Peggy Bochun (pbochun@vsb.bc.ca)
or Donna-Faye Madhosingh (dmadhosingh@yahoo.com).
ART STARTS IN SCHOOLS
Art Starts in Schools (www.artstarts.com) is a Vancouver-based society that provides innovative arts programs for young people, practical resources for teachers and artists, and leadership in advocacy for arts in education.
Teaching Units
Click on a topic to
view. To download, Control Click on a Mac and select "Download
Link to Disk". In Windows Right Click and select "Save
Target As".
Each file is 1 - 2 MB. You will need the Acrobat
Reader to view them.
CDs
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Village Tales Silk Road Music's CD Village Tales, winner of a West Coast Music Award, features 12 traditional Chinese folk songs sung in English and Mandarin. A 53 page study guide gives background information on each of the songs, the Chinese language and musical instruments, as well as learning activities and a list of resources. The guide is intended for use in social studies, music and Mandarin classrooms. Copies are available from Qiu Xia He at qxcloud@istar.ca. |
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How Music Came to the World and Other Stories This Millennium
Project of Britannia World Music and the Vancouver Society of Storytelling
is a three CD set with 12 traditional and original stories about
musical instruments from around the world, including China, Japan,
India, Vietnam, Ireland, France, Canada, U.S., Andes, Mexico, North
Africa and the Ivory Coast. Local storytellers and world music artists
bring the stories to life. A feature is the enhanced disk with text,
photographs and video clips showing the instruments in performance.
The disk runs on both IBM and Mac and requires QuickTime 4.0 or
higher. Order the CD set for $22 through Lesson
Aids. Listen to
samples from several stories on this CD: |
Vancouver Voices:
Vancouver Voices is
a resource package that includes a teacher's guide and a CD,
The Vancouver Audio Profile. The guide surveys the music associated with
thirteen immigrant communities, including information on artists, instruments
and styles. Learning activities are included for each song. Order the
CD for $20 through Lesson
Aids.
Click here to view guide(2
MB PDF)
To download, Control Click on a Mac and select "Download
Link to Disk". In Windows Right Click and select "Save
Target As".