N.C. Symphony offers free music education materials for at-home instruction

The N.C. Symphony on Tuesday started sharing free music education materials to teachers and families as we're all hunkered down during the coronavirus pandemic.

The symphony has released a digital broadcast of a North Carolina Symphony Education Concert and its companion materials, to support teachers who are engaging their students virtually and parents who are continuing their children’s education at home, according to a press release. The online content is available free of charge for students, teachers, parents, and audiences of all ages to access and enjoy across North Carolina and worldwide.

According to the press release, the video stars the symphony’s professional musicians and Music Director Grant Llewellyn performing music by Beethoven, Brahms, William Grant Still, and more. Along the way, Associate Conductor Wesley Schulz takes students on a journey to learn “What Makes Music, Music,” exploring fundamentals such as melody, rhythm, dynamics, tempo, and texture. Schulz guides students on how to actively listen and participate as they watch the orchestra perform.

An accompanying Student Book coordinates with the music and topics covered in the Education Concert. The book introduces each composer and shares fun facts about their life and their music, according to the symphony.

The materials were developed by the symphony in partnership with state music educators. They align with the state curriculum for third, fourth and fifth grade students, but anyone is invited to watch, listen and learn.

The symphony also plans to share lessons from the Education Concert's coordinating Teacher Workbook. That resource is being modified now for individual, at-home instruction, so teachers and students can explore musical topics virtually.

"The symphony is grateful for the capability to continue serving and connecting with its audiences through virtual resources during this challenging time," the press release said. "NCS is honored to support parents and teachers in carrying forward the education of our youth—and aims to provide children and adults alike with comfort and inspiration through music."

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