Mr. Graham Leftwich, Music Teacher

Stark Elementary School

Roxbury Elementary School

Stamford, CT

 

        A musical exploration into the many different styles and genres of music in the twentieth century. 

This course seeks to enrich and expand students’ knowledge and appreciation of all things music. 

Students will get a birds-eye view of music history in the 20th century and all the elements that go into music making and enjoyment. Students will write their own ‘Blues’ lyrics song after which a winner will

be chosen from each class. Mr. Leftwich will then use those lyrics and record a song with fellow

Stamford music teachers.

 

The journey will take students through these topics:

 

#1    Delta Blues-Congo Square; The Blues grow up (lyric structure and the 12 bar blues form)

 

#2    Swing and The Big-Band Era (Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman)

 

#3    Rise of the Electric Guitar (Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Beatles)  

 

#4    The Importance and Influence of Record Labels (Motown, Stax, RCA, Columbia)

 

#5    Civil Rights Music Leaders (Ella Fitzgerald, Norman Granz, Billie Holiday, Pete Seeger, Joan Baez)

 

#6    The British Invasion-Rock n Roll rages across the planet:(Beatles, The Who, Cream, Rolling Stones)

 

#7    Woodstock and the Hippie revolution: (Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, Bob Dylan)

 

#8    Progressive Rock & the Creative Waterfall of the 70’s (Rush, Yes, ELP, Kansas)

 

#9    Big-Hair meets Heavy Metal: (Kiss, Van Halen, Motley Crew, Def Leppard)

 

#10    Pro-Tools and How Digital Recording Changed the World: (includes recording on chromebooks)

 

#11    Creating a Music Library of your Favorites and Learning how to use Music to make it a Better Day.

 

#12    Blues Song Presentations