True or False
American Composers
Music Trivia
Audio Clue
100
George Gershwin lived to be very old.
False - He died suddenly and very young. The whole nation mourned when he died as he was very popular!
100
This American Composer is known the world over for "Rhapsody in Blue."
George Gershwin
100
What era of music did George Gershwin write in?
Contemporary
Specifically, he wrote Jazz
100
This is an example of what type of DYNAMIC marking?
CRESCENDO - Gradually getting louder.
200
When playing the piano, our pinky is the finger that most often gets out of good hand position.
TRUE - it likes to "fly" up in the air or sometimes curl up like a little shrimp.
200
This composer and lyricist worked alongside George Gershwin his entire life. ..
Ira Gershwin - his brother. 
200
The lowest singer in a choir is called a __________
Bass.
Bass, Baritone, Tenor, Alto, Soprano
200
This is an example of what TEMPO marking?
ADAGIO - slow
300
Nadia Boulanger was a concert pianist who made her fortune traveling the world's stages.
FALSE - Nadia Boulanger was known as a teacher of many composers. Ravel, Faure and Aaron Copland to name a few!
300
This American Composer wrote the Olympic Fanfare and Theme:
John Williams - you hear his music every day right now on the TV!
300
Legend has it that this famous piece of music was composed by George Gershwin on a train ride from New York to Boston. . . .
Rhapsody in Blue. ALthough we don't really know if the story is true, it was composed over the span of just a few short weeks. Gershwin called it "the heart of America."
300
Who wrote this famous piece of music?
George Gershwin - it's called Summertime. Tens of thousands of musicians play it and sing it. Including Lady Gaga!
400
George Gershwin's first job was at a jazz club playing the piano.
FALSE - His first job was at a Whitney Warner music publishing company. He would play songs Warner published to get customers more interested in purchasing the music.
400
This famous American Composer wrote "Fanfare for the Common Man" - which sounds a little like the Olympic Theme.
Aaron Copland
400
Name one composer (not American) who influenced George Gershwin. He really admired them. . . .
Maurice Ravel
or Claude Debussy
400
This famous song by George Gershwin sold over 2 million records. What is it called?
Swanee - it's been sung millions of times since! And he made millions of dollars from this song!
500
George Gershwin won a Nobel Peace Prize for his Opera, "Porgy and Bess."
FALSE - although he did win a Pulitzer Prize (which is the highest honor given for literature) for the Broadway Musical "Of Thee I Sing."
500
This American Composer wrote "Stars and Stripes Forever." And even invented his own musical instrument!
John Phillip Sousa!
500
Louis Armstrong played this musical instrument. . . .
TRUMPET
500
__________________ is a big part of Jazz Music.
IMPROVISATION. Nothing you just heard was written down. It was all made up on the spot.