Kansas Music Standard #7: The teacher of music has an understanding of music in relation to various historical periods and cultures.

Knowledge

• The teacher understands musical events and characteristics of various historical periods and culture.

Performance

• The teacher demonstrates effective strategies for developing student exploration of the music of various historical periods and cultures as appropriate for various developmental stages.

Most students have the rationale that the music they are playing was just, “some guy.” It is important that, we as music educators, bridge the gap for our students, and make the necessary cultural references. What better way then utilizing the cross curricular method of introducing history by way if music.  Teaching the history of a piece of music written by, Brahms Beethoven, Schoenberg and Sebilus, students with get insight that countries culture and history. By doing this students get a more in depth learning experience from the music, and have better understanding. This may also be a great teaching moment, may be you can have the students do some research about who the composer was, and have them do a small presentation over it. Perhaps one day, as the ensemble approaches concert time, bring in some food from the country where the composer was born.  By making these cultural connections you are teaching the student to step outside of their comfort zone by introducing cultures other than their own.

The link below takes you to the student portion of my teacher unit of Lord Melbourne.  Here you will find historical depictions and the history of the composer and the piece.  The student section is part of music enrichment, which the student will do own their own to have better understandings of the music being played.

Sample of Student  Guide to "Lord Melbourne