In the digital age, some students are losing sight of the fact that music is written and performed by living, breathing musicians with instruments.  More importantly, they are often unaware of the birth and development of American music and how it continues to reflect modern culture.    

American Roots Music Education’s aim is to change this trend, and in doing so, enrich the minds of young people by making them aware of our musical heritage.

LECTURE/CONCERT - Songlist/Description

Music always reflects both the economic and technological changes within a culture.  As our music changes, we see things like transportation, wars, the role of government, as musical symbols. Before each song, the period American History is discussed. Between songs, parallels are drawn between the country's progress and the music that America produced.

1. A "Field Holler"

The seeds of American Music are sown by Africans using rhythm and rudimentary English. 

 

2. Walking Blues- ROBERT JOHNSON

3. Your Feets Too Big- FATS WALLER

The Blues of Delta, the Jazz of New Orleans,  and Woody Guthrie's ballads in the Midwest are important early stages of what is to come.  

 

4. Choo Choo Ch' Boogie- LOUIS JORDAN

5. Hey Good Lookin'-  HANK WILLIAMS

The era of the railroad changes the country. Swing and Country Music are created from Jazz and Folk. Electric instruments and accessible phonograph records change the musical landscape forever.  

 

5. Maybelline- CHUCK BERRY

We revel in the age of the automobile and our mobile independence. Rock and roll is born and Chuck Berry is at its forefront with Elvis not far behind.

 

6. Blowing in the Wind- BOB DYLAN

7. Going Down the Road- WOODY GUTHRIE

Rebellion and counterculture in our music. Folk music has a revival in thE 70’s.  Politically motivated music is written.

 

8. The Letter  -  THE BOXTOPS

9. Its Gonna Rain- BIRMINGHAM SUNLIGHTS (Performed as a Rap)

Rock and Roll leads the way to Rock, Pop, and HipHop Music. A melding of styles occurs due to greatly increased communication and media access. Rap music has a profound effect on urban culture and on the way music is created.       

 

10.  Toot Toot- CLIFTON CHENIER 

11. Let the Melody Live On- GEORGE KILBY JR 

Gospel, Cajun, Celtic,  Zydeco, and ethnic music from around the world appear in American Pop.

 
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Kilby is a skilled and dedicated entertainer with telling abilities to make history come alive and to make the music present to his audience, giving them a strong and sensual experience of music and its roots. Kilby is one with his craft, and that makes an impression on young learners!  

Mogens Krabek, Bording Friskole, Copenhagen, DK

 

Mr. Kilby was especially skilled at encouraging student participation, quickly establishing a positive rapport with his audience and responding well to their interests and energy.
Carl Mummenthey
Superintendent, Jefferson School

 

  
 
 

The atmosphere in the school was electric and whetted the appetite for more music...I have no doubt that the event created an interest in jazz, which will lead them to exporing this area of music in the future.

Tony Walsh, Mayfield School, Cork, Ireland


I believe that his "American Roots Music Education" presentation is a unique addition to AIE's offerings, and ties in readily to New York State Learning Standards in The Arts and in Social Studies.
Janet Wenner, AIE Coordinator, DCMO BOCES, Upstate, NY

The students got the opportunity to listen to and speak English and to reflect upon aspects of American culture and history. Kilby communicated well with the audience.
Johs. Ringaas
Head of the music department
St. Svithun vgs, Stavanger, NORWAY

Read more... A.R.M.E. Song List