• Develops literacy, vocabulary, geography, history!
• Exposes the student to great composers lives and works!
• Fun, creative hands-on work!
• Develops critical thinking skills!
• Develops study in a self-determined manner!

How has America contributed to the world of classical music?  Study the lives and amazing works of John Phillip Sousa; Charles Ives; William Grant Still; Aaron Copland; Virgil Thomson; Samuel Barber; George Gershwin; Leonard Bernstein; Bernard Hermann; Elmer Bernstein; John Williams; Howard Hanson; John Cage & Phillip Glass.

The incredible invention and vitality of America translated into music that swept the world.  Like all our music history courses, dozens of links are provided so that the student can hear many hours of these composer's works, performed often by the greatest musicians of the 20th century.  From West Side Story, to Sousa marches, to Gershwin's Rhapsody In Blue — America's music leaps to life.

The student first studies the basics of what is music, and then the history of American classical music, so they can fully appreciate the works of these great composers. The course includes a test and answer guide.

Composers and Concepts included in this course:

• What is music?
• America, jazz and Classical Music
• Sousa
• Ives
• Stills
• Copland
• Virgil Thomson
• Samuel Barber
• Gershwin
• Leonard Bernstein
• Movie Scores
• Bernard Hermann
• Elmer Bernstein
• John Williams
• Hanson
• John Cage
• Philip Glass