The Banjo: From Africa to America

Introduces students to the story of the banjo as the one genuinely African-American musical instrument and the traditional music that has been played on it. Through readings from the original story of "Benji & the Banjo Man" this program shows how the banjo and its music tie in to the history of pre-Civil War America and the melting pot of cultures of that time. Songs and spirituals sung are woven through the story, performed on a custom made gourd banjo.

Hear a sample song

Woody Guthrie and the Dust Bowl
This program ties in with curriculum on:     

    The Great Depression
    World War II
    The Dust Bowl            
    Farming & Migrant Labor

Stephen Foster and Early Pittsburgh History
This program ties in with curriculum on:     

    Music & Songwriting
    Pittsburgh & US History 1820-65
    The Civil War            
    
French & Indian War
This program ties in with curriculum on:     

    Native American Culture in W. PA
    Wars in Colonial Western PA
    Pioneer Settlements
        
Animals & the Natural World
This program ties in with curriculum on:     

    Ecology, Geography and the World of Nature

 
Build Your Own Song 
Students learn to construct a song based on well-known folk songs

Move to Your Song
Students learn to choreograph a song of their choosing 

Flute encounters
Offers Students hands on experience of flutes, history of the flute, stories about flutes and flute players. Click on the link for details. 

 

Kids meet Stephen Foster 

Get up and move!