Elementary & General Music
Standards-based and sequential music instruction is essential and beneficial to all students. It starts with foundational music learning in elementary school, pre-kindergarten through 4th, 5th, or 6th grade, depending on your school. The music education resources below include a curated list of organizations, platforms, apps, books, and lessons to help general music teachers and families of elementary students with learning music in school and at home. The list also includes general music resources for grades beyond elementary school. Get started with music!
UKULELE RESOURCES
Save The Music has partnered with Music Will to bring ukulele teaching and learning resources to elementary music classrooms! Includes free curricular resources for educators and students, including instructional videos, play-along tracks, and a PDF guide for teachers.
ALFRED MUSIC
Alfred Music is a music publishing company that supports music education by providing quality method books, performance sheet music, and reference materials for teachers and students.
AMERICAN ORFF SCHULWERK ASSOCIATION
AOSA is a national organization that provides elementary music resources and methods in the Orff Schulwerk pedagogy. Consider joining your local AOSA chapter to access more resources, content, and advocacy tools.
BETH’S NOTES
Songs, classroom lessons, assessments, and worksheets for Pre-Kindergarten to grade 6 general music, instrumental and choral ensembles, and more!
CARNEGIE HALL
Carnegie Hall produces educational programs like Musical Explorers and Link Up that include lesson plans, professional development and full concert videos for teachers and K-5 students that focus on music from around the world.
CHROME MUSIC LAB
Explore hands-on experiments that make music learning more fun! This free and easy-to-use website allows you to compose, teach original melodies and rhythms as well as discover chords and sounds.
HUNNY & KOKO
Sing and dance through music and K-2 SEL activities with Hunny & Koko, animated dog best friends. Chase The Happy is a new release of a lively album blending jazz, pop, rap, and rock. Paired with SEL lessons for K-2, it promotes friendship and positivity.
THE KENNEDY CENTER EDUCATION
The Kennedy Center has developed a free collection of digital learning resources: lessons, articles, digital stage performances, how-to guides, arts integration models, and much more.
MUSIC AND THE BRAIN
Music and the Brain brings music literacy curriculum, teacher support and whole-class keyboard instruction to K-12 students. Explore free online lessons today!
MUSIC CONSTRUCTED
Music Constructed is the one-stop shop for elementary music teachers and arts administrators looking for resources and professional development designed specifically for the elementary general music classroom. Content is updated regularly with free lesson plans, downloadable resources, researched articles, products, and professional development, including an annual subscription.
ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN KODALY EDUCATIONS
The Organization of American Kodály Educators (OAKE) supports high-quality music education and promotes universal music literacy and lifelong music-making. Kodály’s concepts are based on learning music through singing in various ways.
PRODIGIES
Prodigies Music is a colorful, fun, and accessible program to get young learners ages 2-12 singing, playing instruments, and learning music theory. Explore 1000+ videos and lessons, plus check out the apps and platforms for Prodigies on the go and in your home.
QUAVER MUSIC
A world leader in online curriculum development, Quver equips PreK-8 educators with evidence-based resources and professional development to engage today’s students.
QWEST TV EDU, THE QUINCY JONES MUSIC VIDEO RESOURCE
Qwest TV EDU is Quincy Jones’ music video resource dedicated to educational institutions with 1300+ concerts and documentary films in jazz, soul, funk, classical, and world music.
SMITHSONIAN FOLKWAYS MUSIC PATHWAYS
The Music Pathways is a free, innovative resource designed to illuminate lesser-known corners of music history using the sounds available in the label’s iconic catalog making them broadly accessible and increasing understanding among people and cultures. Check out Estoy Aquí: Music of the Chicano Movement and Cajun and Zydeco Music: Flavors of Southwest Louisiana.
SOULSVILLE FOUNDATION
The Stax Museum of American Soul Music & Stax Music Academy are the world’s only organizations focusing on the rich legacy of Stax Records and The Memphis Sound. Free and accessible Black History Month Virtual Shows pay tribute to Stax Records and explore the roots of Black American Music.
WEST MUSIC
Save The Music’s partner for elementary musical instruments and world-class retailer, West Music hosts a community blog full of resources and ideas for making music at home, setting up the classroom for success, remote teaching, and more!
WORLD MUSIC DRUMMING
The World Music Drumming Curriculum engages learners of all ages in multi-faced music-making experiences that align with the principles of West African, Caribbean, and Latin drumming, singing, and moving traditions. Professional development courses are available each summer in locations throughout the US.
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