Teaching the Life of Music follows El Sistema, a tremendously successful music organization that has transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands of children from violent and impoverished environments by giving them healthy lives, driven with passion and discipline, through music education. El Sistema’s mission is to promote the collective practice of music through symphony orchestras and choruses; their powerful model has influenced other programs like it in Ottawa and Toronto, and cities around the world. It has proven to positively impact not only the children it reaches, but also their communities.
Subjects: Music
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Conductor and Strings
Bobby is a zany and enthusiastic young musician who wants to join the orchestra. But Strauss the Conductor must teach him a thing or two about the orchestra first… Through the antics of these two engaging puppet characters we gain an insight into the conductor and string section of the orchestra. We explore the history and development of ancient chordophones to the modern day violin, viola, cello, double bass and harp. We see these instruments in action and hear their sound qualities, exploring a range of playing techniques and varying timbres. This Australian-made, curriculum fit program also highlights the important role that the conductor plays within the orchestra.
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Woodwind and Brass
Young Bobby, an enthusiastic and zany musician, has no idea about the orchestra, but luckily Strauss the Conductor is here to teach him before he joins up. Through the antics of these two engaging puppet characters we learn all about the woodwind and brass sections of the orchestra. We explore the history and development of ancient aerophones to the modern day flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, trumpet, French horn, trombone and tuba. We see and hear these instruments in action and explore a range of playing techniques and varying timbres. This Australian-made, curriculum fit program also shows woodwind and brass instruments being used in contemporary music.
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Percussion and Orchestral Diversity
Young Bobby is learning a lot about the orchestra from his new mentor, Strauss the conductor. But he still has more to learn before he can become a member of the orchestra. Through the antics of these two engaging puppet characters we are introduced to the percussion section of the orchestra, exploring the history and development of ancient membranophones and idiophones to modern day orchestral percussion instruments. We see and hear these instruments in action, exploring a range of playing techniques and varying timbres. This Australian-made, curriculum fit program also highlights important performers and outlines the typical orchestral idioms of today, various educational programs, and emphasises contemporary concepts.
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The Music Instinct: Science and Song – Home Use
The power of music: The Music Instinct: Science and Song provides a ground-breaking exploration into how and why the human organism–and the whole ebb and flow of the cosmos–is moved by the undeniable effect of music. This follows visionary researchers and accomplished musicians to the crossroads of science and culture in search of answers to music’s deep mysteries.
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The Music Instinct: Science and Song – Public Performance
The power of music: The Music Instinct: Science and Song provides a ground-breaking exploration into how and why the human organism–and the whole ebb and flow of the cosmos–is moved by the undeniable effect of music. This follows visionary researchers and accomplished musicians to the crossroads of science and culture in search of answers to music’s deep mysteries.
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Independent Lens: P-Star Rising – Home Use
In the early ’80s, Jesse Diaz was a rising star in the hip-hop world. Now he’s a struggling single father living in a Harlem shelter with two children to support. But Jesse finally found a shot at redemption in his nine-year-old daughter Priscilla, a precocious, adorable, and immensely talented rapper. Along with older daughter Solsky, the family’s quiet cheerleader, Jesse and Priscilla look to parlay “P-Star’s” talent into victory for the whole family. P-STAR RISING follows this father-daughter duo through four years, capturing all the grit and glamour of the music industry: late nights in the studio, performances around the world, music label negotiations, home schooling, and ultimate financial salvation. But as Priscilla’s star really begins to rise, it taxes all the relationships in her life and tests Jesse as a father in ways he never expected.
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Independent Lens: P-Star Rising – Public Performance
In the early ’80s, Jesse Diaz was a rising star in the hip-hop world. Now he’s a struggling single father living in a Harlem shelter with two children to support. But Jesse finally found a shot at redemption in his nine-year-old daughter Priscilla, a precocious, adorable, and immensely talented rapper. Along with older daughter Solsky, the family’s quiet cheerleader, Jesse and Priscilla look to parlay “P-Star’s” talent into victory for the whole family. P-STAR RISING follows this father-daughter duo through four years, capturing all the grit and glamour of the music industry: late nights in the studio, performances around the world, music label negotiations, home schooling, and ultimate financial salvation. But as Priscilla’s star really begins to rise, it taxes all the relationships in her life and tests Jesse as a father in ways he never expected.
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Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes (Home Use)
Take a fearless look at manhood, sexism, and homophobia in today’s hip-hop culture. Conceived as a “loving critique” of disturbing trends in rap music, this acclaimed documentary pays tribute to hip-hop while challenging the rap music industry for glamorizing destructive stereotypes.
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FRONTLINE: The Merchants of Cool
Today’s teenagers have money and independence, their lives the object of obsessive focus by corporate America. FRONTLINE explores the culture of today’s teenagers and how they view themselves and their parents. Teenage tastes, attitudes, and aspirations are endlessly sampled by marketers to determine exactly what they want, while Hollywood and Madison Avenue tell a carefully tailored version of teenage life in movies, TV, music and advertising.