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Resources for Music Educators

Carnegie Hall celebrates the resourcefulness and resilience of music educators around the world who work with students in classrooms and online through a range of distance-learning platforms and technologies. Drawn from programs created by the Hall’s Weill Music Institute, this collection offers an array of digital programs and resources for educators to use free of charge.

For Grades K–5

Explore Music from Around the World

Through six curated programs for grades K–2, artists with personal and cultural connections to the music they teach share rich and diverse songs, dances, traditions, stories, and more.

Topics: Instruments, Composers
Activities: Listening, Watching, Singing, Movement
Time commitment: 15 minutes–2 hours

Take a Peek into Carnegie Hall’s History

Learn about Carnegie Hall’s exciting history in this playful animated video filled with music by artists who have graced its stages, from Tchaikovsky to the Beatles and beyond.

Topic: Carnegie Hall
Activity: Watching
Time commitment: 10 minutes

Discover the World of the Orchestra

Introduce your students to the sounds of the orchestra with this robust collection of lesson plans, student activities, and teaching videos for grades 3–5.

Topics: Orchestra, Instruments, Composers
Activities: Listening, Singing, Movement, Recorder Playing
Time commitment: 45 minutes–2 hours

Go on a Listening Adventure

This interactive, online game for young learners dives into the components of the orchestra through Britten’s iconic piece, “The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra.” (This game is currently in open beta testing.)

Topics: Orchestra, Instruments
Activity: Play Time
Time commitment: 15 minutes–2 hours

Music Educators Toolbox

The Music Educators Toolbox features free online resources for music teachers that include lesson plans and activities, assessments, video examples, and documented best practices.

Topics: Music Fundamentals
Activity: Singing, Movement, Instruction
Time commitment: Flexible

For Grades 6–12

Find a Vision for the World

Hip-hop artists and educators Chen Lo and Asante Amin—the creative forces behind Soul Science Lab—lead this online course for young thinkers, activists, and musicians. Students create art with a purpose with assignments that inspire a personal vision for the world.

Topics: Songwriting, Composition, Music Production
Activities: Instruction (Participatory Course)
Time commitment: 20 minutes–2 hours

Dive into the Creative Process

In this online course for young musicians, explore the compositional practices of artists Mazz Swift, Clay Ross, and Sarah Elizabeth Charles. Prompt students to refine their creative processes with guided assignments.

Topics: Songwriting, Composition
Focus: Instruction (Participatory Course)
Time commitment: 20 minutes–2 hours

Discover Digital Music Production

In this five-part course, your students can join producer and percussionist Charles Burchell in his digital music studio to play around with tools and learn how to create loops, beats, basslines, melodies, and arrangements.

Topics: Digital Media, Music Production
Activities: Watching, Participatory Course
Time commitment: 30 minutes–2 hours

Write Your Own Song

In this five-part course, songwriter and performer Bridget Barkan details how to write a meaningful original song. She shares how to first find inspiration and generate song ideas, then write a chorus, bridge, and verses, before putting the final touches on your composition.

Topics: Voice, Songwriting
Activities: Watching, Participatory Course
Time commitment: 20 minutes–2 hours

Explore Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony

Marin Alsop dissects each movement of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony to share her vision for the story of this beloved work.

Topics: Beethoven, Symphonies
Activity: Watching
Time commitment: 5–15 minutes

Revisit “Ode to Joy”

This conversation guide details the history and legacy of Beethoven’s groundbreaking—and still relevant—Ninth Symphony, and includes discussion prompts that can connect to other compositions.

Topics: Beethoven, Symphonies
Activities: Reading, Discussion
Time commitment: 15 minutes–2 hours

Learn from Aspiring Musicians

In these mini–master classes, members and alumni of Carnegie Hall’s national youth ensembles (NYO-USA, NYO2, and NYO Jazz) discuss a range of topics, including mastering fast passages, conquering stage fright, essential items for your instrument case, and other pro tips.

Topics: Practice, Performance
Activities: Watching
Time commitment: 15 minutes–2 hours

Listen to Peer Musicians

Hear the future of classical music and jazz when the extraordinary young musicians of Carnegie Hall’s national youth ensembles join forces with today’s most celebrated artists.

Topics: Orchestra, Jazz, Performance
Activities: Watching, Listening
Time commitment: 15 minutes–2 hours

Master New Techniques

Step into a master class or workshop at Carnegie Hall led by renowned artists and educators as they coach students in a wide range of topics.

Topics: Workshop, Master Class, Vocal, Instrumental
Activities: Watching
Time commitment: 5–30 minutes

Explore African American Song

This interactive curriculum familiarizes students with African American work songs, Spirituals, and gospel music to understand their historical and cultural significance.

Topics: Spirituals, Gospel, History
Activities: Watching, Listening
Time commitment: 15 minutes–2 hours

Listen and Learn

Join Ensemble Connect musicians in a series of interactive videos that introduce core musicianship skills through guided listening activities.

Topics: Articulation, Texture, Theme and Variations, Ensemble Music Making
Activities: Guided Listening, Discussion
Time commitment: 15 minutes–2 hours

For Professional Development

Map Out Musical Milestones

This comprehensive toolbox provides K–5 music educators with grade-specific resources that address fundamentals of music with assessments to help you measure your success and reach key milestones with your students.

Topics: Orchestra, Instruments, Composers, Performance
Activities: Singing, Listening, Movement
Time commitment: 10 minutes–2 hours

Discover Great Teaching: Reflect

Explore seven impulses that are building blocks of great teaching, and consider how you can implement them to expand your teaching.

Topics: Artistry, Community, Equity
Activities: Reading
Time commitment: 15 minutes–2 hours

Discover Great Teaching: Implement

Bring elements of great teaching to life through a variety of exercises and activities for your K–12 classroom led by top educators and artists.

Topics: Artistry, Composition, Improvisation
Activities: Watching
Time commitment: 5–10 minutes

Hear from Fellow Teachers

This video series invites you into K–12 classrooms across the country as teachers share their insights and reflect on their experiences.

Topics: Community, Inspiration, Insights
Activities: Watching
Time Commitment: 5–10 minutes

Timeline of African American Music

The Timeline of African American Music is an interactive digital resource that presents the remarkable diversity of African American music, revealing the unique characteristics of each genre and style, from the earliest folk traditions to present-day popular music.

Topics: History, Genres, Music
Activities: Reading, Listening, Watching
Time commitment: 10 minutes–2 hours

A Podcast Series by Carnegie Hall

Inspiring conversations with extraordinary educators. A podcast about strategies, stories, and insights on teaching music.

Featuring Guest Educators and Artists
Bishop Dr. Chantel R. Wright, Thomas Cabaniss, Sean Jones, Emily Eagen, Margaret Jenks, and PUBLIQuartet

Topics: Education, Teaching, Conversation
Activities: Listening
Time Commitment: 30 minutes – 1 hour

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We thank our many generous supporters of the education and social impact programs created by Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute.

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