New January Store Update - Learn, Practice, & Have Fun!

Happy January! This month, the Practice Space store ushers in a season of new beginnings as we highlight avatars of composers renowned for their groundbreaking contributions to the world of music. From minimalism to electronic experimentation, these innovators have paved the way for new musical expressions and techniques.

Every avatar in our store can be redeemed using Practice Gems, earned by students as they achieve their daily practice goals. This not only motivates but also enriches your students' musical education by connecting practice with pioneering musical history.

Additionally, we've curated a PDF handout filled with stimulating educational activities tailored to each composer’s innovations. This handout includes intriguing quizzes, enlightening facts, and concise biographies designed to engage and educate students about these musical trailblazers.

Don't miss the YouTube links provided for each composer's influential works—perfect for experiencing firsthand the impact of their musical innovations. Each avatar is accompanied by unique quotes, giving voice to these composers and offering insights into their creative journeys.

Explore our January store update at Practice Space and inspire your students with the spirit of innovation that each of these composers embodies. Let's start the year by exploring how breaking boundaries in music can open up new horizons.

Steve Reich (born 1936) is an American composer who helped pioneer minimal music with my repetitive rhythms and phasing techniques.

Facts in app:

1. I first explored the concept of phasing when I experimented with looping tapes, creating shifting patterns.

2. My piece 'Music for 18 Musicians' is famous for its pulsing rhythms and has been performed all around the world.

3. I use simple harmonic changes and subtle shifts in phase to create complex musical textures.

4. In 2009, I won the Pulitzer Prize for Music for my piece 'Double Sextet,' which uses two identical ensembles.

5. Check out this performance of Pulses from Music for 18 Musicians:
   Steve Reich - Music for 18 Musicians (1978) ► Pulses - YouTube

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Julia Wolfe (born 1958) is a post-minimalist composer whose compositions often incorporate folk, rock, and classical influences.

Facts in app:

1. I co-founded Bang on a Can, an organization dedicated to promoting innovative new music.

2. My work 'Anthracite Fields' won the Pulitzer Prize and explores the history of coal mining through music.

3. I enjoy creating music that tells stories, often focusing on American labor and historical experiences.

4. I often collaborate with other musicians and ensembles to create works that are both visually and sonically striking.

5. My compositions frequently use intense repetition and driving rhythms to create a powerful emotional impact.

6. Check out this performance of Flowers from Anthracite Fields:
   Anthracite Fields: IV. Flowers - YouTube

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John Cage (September 5, 1912 - August 12, 1992) was American composer known for my innovative compositions that challenge the conventional definitions of music.

Facts in app:

1. I composed '4'33"', a piece where musicians don't play their instruments, to highlight the sounds of the environment.

2. I invented the prepared piano, where objects are placed on the strings to create unique sounds.

3. My approach to music often incorporated chance, using methods like the I Ching to make decisions in the composition process.

4. I was also a visual artist and writer, deeply influenced by Zen Buddhism.

5. My work has inspired not only musicians but also dancers, visual artists, and performance artists.

6. Check out this performance of 4’33”:
   John Cage: 4'33'' / Petrenko · Berliner Philharmoniker - YouTube

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Unsuk Chin (born 1961) is a South Korean composer known for my colorful orchestral works and inventive opera.

Facts in app:

1. My opera 'Alice in Wonderland' breaks traditional boundaries with its surreal and innovative approach.

2. I've received the prestigious Grawemeyer Award for Music Composition for my Violin Concerto.

3. My compositions often include electronics and non-Western instruments, blending different musical traditions and technologies.

4. I studied with György Ligeti in Hamburg, who significantly influenced my compositional style.

5. I am a leading figure in contemporary classical music, often exploring the human voice and theatrical elements in my works.

6. Check out this performance of Akrostichon-Wortspiel (Acrostic-Wordplay):
   Akrostichon-Wortspiel (Acrostic-Wordplay) by Unsuk Chin - Performed by Cantata Profana - YouTube

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Germaine Tailleferre (April 19, 1892 - November 7, 1983) was the only female member of the group of French composers known as Les Six.

Facts in app:

1. I composed a wide range of music, including ballets, orchestral works, and operas.

2. Despite my achievements, I often faced challenges in a male-dominated musical environment.

3. My music is known for its charm, wit, and lyrical beauty, reflecting the vibrant Parisian culture of my time.

4. I was friends with some of the most influential artists and musicians of the early 20th century.

5. After World War II, I continued to compose, even experimenting with serial techniques, showing my adaptability and commitment to innovation.

6. Check out this performance of Sonate pour Harpe:
   Sonate pour Harpe, Germaine Tailleferre - YouTube

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Background Update

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Some other fun additions
These all cheer the student on but also talk about tempo and other musical terms!