Additional+Text+Reviews...

__What I Had Was Singing: The Story of Marian Anderson__ by Jeri Ferris

Summary: Marian Anderson always knew she wanted to sing. She joined the junior choir at Philadelphia's Union Baptist Church at the age of six. She had a gift for singing, and when she faced discrimination, she gave everyone the gift of example. During a time in American when racial prejudice denied blacks a place in classical music, Anderson "forged" a career as the greatest contralto of her time. She never spoke publicly against discrimination, but her actions and career with her beautiful voice "spoke louder than words". This book describes Marian's childhood, her singing path with voice teachers and the church, and the struggles she faced as she got older. Why This Book?: This book can be used to learn about a musical hero during the Civil Rights struggles of the 1950s. Students may read the book, listen to recordings, etc. to learn about Marian Anderson's life. Students may create a timeline and create an animated story with music about her life.

__A Band of Angels__ by Deborah Hopkinson  Summary: (from the website: http://childrenspicturebooks.info/articles/introducing_music_education.htm) A Band of Angels is fiction, but it is based on real events and people. The character of Ella was inspired by Ella Sheppard Moore, who was born February 4, 1851, in Nashville, Tennessee. Her father was able to free himself and young Ella slavery, but before he could buy freedom for Ella's mother she was sold away. Ella was raised in Cincinnati, where she took music lessons. At fifteen, she was left penniless when her father died. She arrived at Fisk School in 1868 with only six dollars. Fisk was opened in 1866 as a school for former slaves and began offering college classes in 1871. That year, in a desperate attempt to save Fisk from closing, a music teacher named George White set out with a group of students on a singing tour to raise money. Although at first they only sang popular music of the day, they soon became famous for introducing spirituals to the world. Ella Sheppard was the pianist for the Jubilee Singers on their historic concert tours, which raised enough money to save the school and build Jubilee Hall, the first permanent structure in the South for the education of black students. Ella later married George Moore, had three children, and located her mother and a sister. She died in 1914. Today her great-granddaughter is a librarian at Fisk University who shares the history of the Jubilee Singers with visitors. Although none graduated from Fisk, the original Jubilee Singers were recognized with honorary degrees in 1978. Today, Jubilee Singers at Fisk University continue to keep alive a rich musical tradition that includes such songs as "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "Many Thousand Gone," and "Go Down, Moses." Why This Book?: This book can go behind the scenes of a musical hero. Students can see what helps certain heroes overcome their obstacles. After reading this book, students can think of a similar hero, whether someone in their life or in history. Additional activities: Students can talk about how songs "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" and "Go Down, Moses" depict the times in which they were sung. What elements of the music set the mood? What do the words tell you?

__Aïda __ told by Leontyne Price Summary: This book tells the story of the Royal Princess from Verdi's //Aïda//, who is captured by Egyptian soldiers and forced into slavery by her country's greatest enemy. The princess falls in love with the leader of the Egyptian army, and suffers a terrible emotional struggle, to forsake loyalty to her father and country for true love. Why This Book?: Students can watch a DVD of Leontyne Price's performance of this role and listen to recordings to see how the character is depicted in the music. For older students, music scores can be analyzed.