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VAN Academy:
Concert Spotlight
Lessons in this section are related to literature performed in specific concerts. You'll find deep dives into repertoire, experiential learning ideas, and cross-curricular connections.
Concert Spotlight Lessons
Lessons and Materials
This endeavor will be ongoing. Keep checking back as we grow this resource!
SINGularity in Bb
by Timothy Michael Powell
This lesson aligned with our October 20, 2024 Concert, The Ways of Stars. Explore the astronomical discovery of the Perseus Black Hole, which 'sings' a Bb, and how Nashville composer Timothy Michael Powell turned that concept into a composition. This lesson plan includes cross-curricular science content (Astronomy and Physics), experiential learning in Overtone Singing, and guided listening. The lesson may be taught in small chunks over several days or delivered all at once in a single class period.
City Called Heaven
arr. Josephine Poelinititz
This lesson aligns with our May 18, 2025 Concert, Towards Elysium. This deep dive into the African American Spiritual City Called Heaven explores expressivity devices employed by musicians within this style. The lesson includes a full vocal warm-up connected to the lesson objectives, contextual and historical information about the African American Spiritual, and opportunities to sing and analyze the source material for Josephine Poelinitz's incredible arrangement.
Des Colores
arr. Vicente Chavarria
This lesson aligns with the our October 18, 2025 Concert, Kaleidoscope of Color. Diving in to tone color and lyrical analysis, this lesson plan allows educators to teach tone color and experiment with Timbre through warm up activities, cultural analysis of the piece, and a side by side text/translation comparison. Following the overall 9th season theme of "Tapestry," this lesson plan highlights the view of color through a traditional Spanish/Latin American context in Chavarria's vibrant arrangment.
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