Welcome To The Education Resource!

May 5 - May 11, 2011

This Week We Feature Northwest Music History Resources

The Pacific Northwest is home to many artists who have played significant roles in shaping the music of the twentieth century. Most Washington students have some knowledge of musical frontrunners such as Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain,  Pearl Jam, or Sir Mix-A-Lot, and many take great pride that these stars are from their neck of the woods. But how many have heard of Ernestine Anderson or the Kingsmen who made "Louie Louie" a national sensation? Teachers who are looking for a clever and motivating hook to compare and contrast changing lifestyles and attitudes over the past eight decades need not look any farther than this region's musical heritage.

HistoryLink.org features a comprehensive suite of overview essays and timelines that examine the history of many different genres of Pacific Northwest music ranging from country to rhythm and blues, rock 'n' roll, and now hip hop. Events such as Elvis Presley's appearance at Sick's stadium in 1957, the first Beatles concert at the Seattle Center in 1964, and the Sky River Rock Festival in 1968, introduced Northwest teens to musical superstars of the day. Local venues such as the Birdland in Seattle's Central District and the Crocodile Café in Belltown, and the performers who graced those stages, are vividly brought to life in the expertly written essays.

No study of creativity and innovation in popular music in the region would be complete without a visit to the Experience Music Project (EMP) at Seattle Center. EMP's interpretive and interactive exhibits use cutting-edge technology to capture and reflect the essence of rock 'n' roll; its roots in jazz, soul, gospel, country, and the blues; and rock's influence on hip-hop, punk, and other recent genres. Visitors can view rare artifacts and memorabilia and experience the creative process by listening to musicians tell their own stories. Just opening for a two-year run, Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses presents the world's most extensive exhibition of memorabilia celebrating the music and history of Seattle grunge luminaries Nirvana. The exhibit features more than 200 rare and unseen artifacts, candid photography from the band and crew, and handwritten lyrics and letters.

Field trips to the Museum can be coordinated with EMP's "Curriculum Connections" program, which enhances the study of the significant factors that influenced the developing Northwest music scene. Examples of relevant educator resources available through EMP's  website include curriculum programs such as American Sabor: Latinos in US Popular Music, an extensive library of oral history interviews with significant musical artists and producers, and photographic exhibits of selected Nirvana and Jimi Hendrix artifacts.

At this time, the EMP Education Team is requesting feedback on how teachers utilize the Museum's educational resources and will award a free "Curriculum Connection" visit for the winning entries and their classes.  Teachers are asked to relate ways in which EMP curriculum supports individual school district and state expectations and what impacts the lessons have had on student learning. For more information on this contest, contact education@empsfm.org.

Combining HistoryLink.org essays with other available resources (that highlight Northwest music history) will provide a strong foundation for developing curriculum and other learning experiences that most students will find exciting and meaningful.

Image of Jimi Hendrix  with Sky Church at Woodstock, 1969. Courtesy Al Hendrix.