Composer Of The Month (Pop)

Submitted by Ellen Schlindwein, Colorado

Idea posted November 26, 2001

I have done musicians/composers of the "pop" genre. Last year, some that I covered were Frank Sinatra, John Lennon, BB King, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and others. I think it is acceptable to do "pop" performers because the main point of listening IMHO is to expose children to music they do not know. This year, I have done Debussey and Schoenberg so far.

I am surprised that the kids really do seem to enjoy listening and learning about this. They really like Schoenberg. I think it's because they have not heard music like this before. Next up is John Cage.