Music Through the Decades

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The Mission

The New Deal Production Company is looking to thrust a new music group into stardom.  Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to create an exciting  multimedia production. Beginning in 1940 and moving to the year 2000, you will describe, from a historical perspective, the impact of music on the American culture. Using the Internet as a time machine to travel through the decades, you will investigate and make discoveries about the past. As a result of your journey and study, you will gain an understanding of the impact of America's original music on music throughout the decades. Your findings will be presented in a multimedia presentation reflecting the decade of your choice.

The Process

Step I

The class will be divided into groups of five. Each group will choose to study the music of a specific decade and determine how music impacted and reflected the culture of their decade. Your group will research and examine resources available in the library/media center. Your research should include general and  primary documents, CDs and videos. The use of these multiple resources will help you to gain an understanding of American music. By interviewing individuals you will also gain first hand knowledge of the music culture of different decades. When you conduct your interviews, be sure to ask questions that help you gain a historical perspective of your decade, and the impact that this history had on the music of the decade. Use the Internet Resources listed below to acquire information.

Once your group's information is compiled, discuss how the music of your decade reflected the historical climate of the times. 

Choose one of the following decades:

• 1940 - 1950

• 1950 - 1960

• 1960- 1970 

• 1970- 1980

• 1990 - 2000

Step II

Each group will answer the following questions:

1. What were the major events during the decade?

2. What were the socio-economic factors during the decade?

3. What was the emotional climate during your time period?

4. What type of music was found during specific time periods?

5. What does the music say about the time period?

6. How was the music a reflection of the historical events of the time period?

7. What impact did the original music of America have on the music of  your decade?

Step III

Your group will compile the results of their research. The compilation of information will be used as you to compose an original musical composition that will be presented to a live audience. Remember that The New Deal Production Company will be attending the live performance looking to propel a new group into stardom. Each group will also be responsible for creating a PowerPoint presentation and producing a CD relating your finding to the audience.

As you complete Step III and create these products, each member of the group will assume one of the following roles:

• Graphic Designers will design the CD cover and the graphics included in the PowerPoint presentation.

• Composers will write the lyrics an/or music for the musical production

• Performers will present the live performance

• Powerpoint Presentation Developers will design and develop the presentation

• Originators will create a company name and design the logo

• Choose the year you are researching to find links on your topics

http://www.danville.k12.in.us/teachers/Middle/bura/Webquest/resource.htm

• Learn about Country Music

http://www.roughstock.com/history/

• Learn About Music in American Life

http://www.lib.virginia.edu/speccol/exhibits/music

• Popular Music from 18th Century America

http://www.tntech.edu/centerstage/Hesperus2.htm

• Music and Story Telling

http://www2.tntech.edu/sociology/app/musicandstorytelling.html

• Music for a Nation

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/smhtml/smhome.html

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