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Songfacts is a website that enables educators and students to learn the historical background of artists and their songs. There is a search engine that allows for an easy look-up of any artist, and accompanying this search is a timeline of major events, a brief history of the artist's life, and insight that the general public may not know about the artist. There is also research and insight about individual songs that the artist released or collaborated on. Songfacts can be a great resource to give more context about music that students are learning to in and out of class. It can engage students in listening to music more actively if they are intrigued about the artist's life, struggles, achievements, vision, and motivation for creation.

NPR ( National Public Radio) is a media organization that finds artists, hold interviews of various artists while airing it on their podcast or creating live videos. The musicians are from all over the world, some are up and coming artists and some are already famous. Tiny Desk concerts also offer a contest for bands or artists to enter this competition which will help expose them. You can find NPR all over the place. They are on public radio stations from around the US, there are videos online and can be found at YouTube, as well as their podcasts that are accessible from any computer or phone.

This is a page from the previous Songfact website. It talks about how a current artist sampled part of this piece. It is a good relevant general music discussion to illuminate how today's artists are influenced by what students might perceive as outdated and irrelevant artists to today's music.

This website is filled with information about every song you can imagine. It also includes information about artists as well as some fun games and trivia concerning musicians. A top ten list of songs is given with further explanation about the music.

This site is a great resource to help students get into the minds of their favorite pop artists. Students often find it easier to connect to pop tunes than to classical music. This site provides a list of different pop tunes/artists along with descriptions about those pieces and artists. This helps students realize the thought behind creating music, which they can then transfer to their school music class. This site also includes blogs about songwriter interviews, quizzes, and song facts to name a few. The featured songs fall into the category "daily top ten" or "weekyl top ten," keeping the songs up-to-date and easy for young students to recognize/connect with.

This website is a great resource for discovering the stories behind popular songs. The list of songs seem to be extensive and include pieces that would be familiar to students. This resource could help create a relevant curriculum that speaks to the non-traditional music student's interests and their music experience.

Podcast for learning about jazz artists, specific albums and genres of jazz. There are currently 269 podcasts that are free and describe many different artists such as: Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Clifford Brown, Louis Armstrong, BIll Evans, Duke Ellington, plus many, many more. THe podcasts are created by Dr. Gordon Vernick, Associate Professor of Music at Georgia State. This is fantastic resource for students as well as educators. 

This website is a resource for a variety of childrens music. It allows you access to artists, recordings, stories, etc. that you could use in early childhood classrooms.

This website is a resource for a variety of childrens music. It allows you access to artists, recordings, stories, etc. that you could use in early childhood classrooms.

This site contains references to Jazz. Composers, Artists, and Jazz education resources can be found on this site. 

This is a great resource for the History of American Rock/Popular music that I'm teaching. It lists all of the inductees as well as information about the artists who have been inducted. There are also lesson plans available.

This is a great resource for the History of American Rock/Popular music that I'm teaching. It lists all of the inductees as well as information about the artists who have been inducted. There are also lesson plans available. 

The North American Saxophone Alliance website provides information regarding NASA events, upcoming performances, conference information, and an online forum.  I have attended the NASA conference and it was an amazing experience for me.  I have referred saxophone students to this page to learn about upcoming events, artists, and to interact with other saxophonists.

The North American Saxophone Alliance website provides information regarding NASA events, upcoming performances, conference information, and an online forum.  I have attended the NASA conference and it was an amazing experience for me.  I have referred saxophone students to this page to learn about upcoming events, artists, and to interact with other saxophonists.

Pitchfork is a website with the latest news about the music industry. The site covers reviews of music, as well as, ratings of the best new music that has been released. Currently the "best new" section features music that is no more than a month old. Pitchfork also provides the visitor with videos and events, as well as, information about up and coming artists.

We always need to make connections with what students already know before moving to new concepts. Sometimes it is helpful for us to challenge what they think they know. This interview by CBS is a fantastic look into the life of a very popular artist that has great implications for a variety of teaching scenarios.

This is an interesting youtube channel that offers videos that delve into specific music theory topics. It also has a lot of artist interviews that provide commentary on musical performance, theory, and composition.

This is an interesting youtube channel that offers videos that delve into specific music theory topics. It also has a lot of artist interviews that provide commentary on musical performance, theory, and composition.

A website that offers some of the best professional music video lessons from various artists. While the videos do cost money, they offer tremendous insight into a specific artist's process. It is essentially the same as getting a one on one lesson for a fraction of the cost.

A website that offers some of the best professional music video lessons from various artists. While the videos do cost money, they offer tremendous insight into a specific artist's process. It is essentially the same as getting a one on one lesson for a fraction of the cost.

This online magazine is now available as an app for the iPad and iPhone. It contains technical advice, reviews of recordings, artist profiles, and general coverage of issues relevant to string players.

Compiled by the Library of Congress, Music and the Brain is a Podcast that has lectures, conversations and symposia about the connection between neuroscience and music. Kay Redfield Jamison is the project chair compiles scholars, composers, performers, theorists, physicians, psychologists and other experts to discuss topics such as: the future of music; music and grief; the mind of the artist and others. There are 20 podcasts and they are all free!

If you have the chance to take your students to this place, do it!  So many of the best artists in the US got their start here!

This informative website is designed to get young students interested in the arts, namely music, theater, and dance. Designed by Canada's National Arts Centre, the music section offers a wealth of information on composers, instruments, the orchestra, and other musical topics, with games and activities to deepen understanding. It also has separate pages for teachers, students, parents, and artists that have different resources.

Eric Litwin is an author, musician and producer who specializes in children's music. He is one of my favorite artists for kids. He has many educational resources and a curriculum for preschool children. His books featuring Pete the Cat are awesome and appear regularly in my music room! Eric Litwin also does performances in schools and communities and has visited my school for his "Earth Shaking, CD Making" project where my students learned songs and recorded them to make their own CD.

Tonal Energy provides individualized instruction and videos for band and orchestra students. Each instrument is listed and linked to a fingering chart, exercises, scales, instrument care, and videos of professional artists. The website also has a place for discussion between other musicians, teachers, and students. One of the best items about Tonal Energy is the tuner App. The TE Tuner provides a visual representation beyond the original needle and shows the students proper intonation through a smiley face and colored circles.

This is an interesting read that was linked on Dr. Bauer's resources discussing the connections of arts and common core standards.

This informative Edutopia article by blogger and professor Karin Nolan encourages educators about the simplicity about integrating their current teaching approach and curriculum structure with a standards-based curriculum. You do not have be a musician to satisfy the standards either.

This is a great article for the classroom teacher who is looking arts integrated lessons.