Submitted by Sandy Elder, Michigan

Idea posted November 15, 2001

I'm a big advocate of American music, especially at the elementary level, so I have done some less traditional listening lessons. I think it's very important to not just do the DWEM's (dead, white, European males). Sure they're great, but so are many others. And I want my students to learn that music, especially classical, which is for all people; male and female, black, white, and "other."

This year's list includes: Leontyne Price, Wynton Marsalis, Yo-Yo Ma, Bill Monroe, Lou Anderson, John Cage, Charles Ives, William Grant Still (one of my favorites), Frederica Von Stade, Martina Arroyo, James Levine (lest we forget conductors), Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, Aaron Copland, Daniel Pinkham, Harry Connick Jr., Ronnie McCouy (bluegrass mandolin), Howard Hanson, Mary Lou Williams, Amy Beach, James P. Johnson, W.C. Handy, Elenor Steber, Samuel Barber, John Williams, Loston Harris, David Diamond, and Beau Soleil. (Plus a few others thrown in as time allows.)

Here's my favorite Cage lesson idea:

Chance Operations Compositions: 3rd - 5th

Materials: scissors, pencils, ruler, xerox paper, dark marker, ziplock baggies

  1. Prepare template by dividing top half of 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of paper into at least 8 rectangles. Mark divisions with marker and xerox enough for each student to have one.
  2. Give rhythm test on top half; teacher claps, plays, or sings one measure rhythm. Students write answers in rectangle. Repeat until 8 rectangles are filled.
  3. Students cut apart the rhythms, fold each very small, and place in baggie.
  4. Stir rhythms, pull one out, and write it to the left of the paper (bottom half) as measure one.
  5. Important!!! Put that rhythm back in the bag and stir again. This allows possibility for repetition.
  6. Continue until song is 8-16 measures long.
  7. Play songs for each other by clapping or using percussion instruments. Have class discussion about whether "chance music" is indeed music or noise.

By the way: John Cage and Lou Harrison collaborated on a percussion piece called "Double Music," and it is a juicy piece!!! I have a Lou Harrison CD with it on it. Definitely well worth checking out to add to your Cage unit!