From Ragtime To Rock:

An Introduction to 100 Years of

American Popular Music

 

Digital Version:
Now Formatted for
Google Classroom
and Other Online Teaching Platforms!

This digital version of From Ragtime to Rock is usable in the classroom,
or as part of a "distance learning" environment!

Look no further than From Ragtime to Rock. This 
acclaimed educational program with accompanying teacher guide and student assignments is currently being used by thousands of music educators across the United States and Canada.

This updated version is designed for use with online platforms like Google Classroom. It's the perfect solution for band and choir directors, general music teachers and instrumental music instructors who want to fully engage their students in an understanding of the evolution of American Popular Music. (If you still rely on DVDs in the classroom, you can purchase From Ragtime to Rock as a 2-Disc DVD set HERE).

From Ragtime to Rock is an all-in-one package that includes 15 individual videos (4-10 min in length), plus a 72-page
 Educator Guide. Each unit includes a Teacher Guide, Student Assignment, and Student Activity Sheet, as well as “Key Terms” and “Important Artists” sections. All videos are housed on secure landing pages, and Student Assignments have been constructed using Google Forms so you don't have to build them.

Each unit incorporates clearly defined learning goals, discussion topics, and fulfills a variety of core standards as outlined by NCAS, NAfME and CCSS (see full list below).

Check out the trailer, sample clips, sample teacher guides, and read the incredible educator testimonials below. Note: If you have students who lack access to the internet or a device like a computer or iPad, you can purchase the Ragtime to Rock Text-Only Supplement for just $4.95.

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From Ragtime To Rock offers a sweeping look at 100 years of music evolution, covering the end of the Civil War (1865) to the dawn of the British Invasion (1965). It details how American Popular Music evolved alongside important historical, economic and sociological events such as Slavery, Segregation, Prohibition, Immigration, the Great Depression, World War II, the rise of the Teenager, and many more. The 100+ minute video program is broken down into 15 distinct units, each of which focuses on a particular musical era (see full list below).
 
First released in 2015 by award-winning jazz drummer, author and educator Daniel Glass, From Ragtime To Rock is currently being used by over 1000 music educators across the United States, ranging from elementary through high school. Daniel's high-energy delivery offer students a fun and engaging way to learn about music and history. The presentation also incorporates eight high-energy live performances from an all-star band featuring members of the Michael Bublé band, Conan O’Brien’s house band, Bette Midler’s “Kiss My Brass” Revue, the Brian Setzer Orchestra and Royal Crown Revue.
 
If you're using Smart Music or other remote software,
 you’ll find that the info-packed presentation of From Ragtime to Rock provides in-depth context to help your students better understanding the music they're practicing.
 
If you teach social science or history, From Ragtime to Rock offers a complete blueprint for a music-related elective. It also serves as a perfect assignment for substitute teachers.
 

Whether you teach General Music, Jazz Studies, Band, Choir or Private Instruction,
 you’ll find that the high-energy, info-packed presentation of From Ragtime to Rock will
 serve as a great supplement to your curriculum and is guaranteed to educate, inspire and engage your students! It's the perfect solution to creating quality, digestible music units that you can teach at your own pace. See full list of educator benefits below.

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Click to download a sample of the Teacher Guide for Unit 10 (The Swing Era).

Click to download a sample of the Student Assignment Sheet for Unit 10 (The Swing Era). Note the sheet is built using Google Forms.

Click to download a list of CORE STANDARDS that From Ragtime to Rock fulfills (includes NCAS, NAfME and CCSS).

From Ragtime to Rock
Covers Key Musical Eras:

Folk Music
Brass Bands/March Music
Ragtime
Early Jazz (New Orleans)
Blues and Blues Singers
Chicago Jazz (aka Dixieland)
Great American Songbook

Big Band Swing
Bebop Jazz
Rhythm and Blues
Country Music
Early Rock'n'Roll
The British Invasion

Watch these Teaser Clips from three featured units
(Introduction, The Swing Era, Early Rock'n'Roll)

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Music educators are raving about From Ragtime To Rock!

 

"Incredibly thorough and engaging! I'm recommending this DVD to my colleagues and students. It should prove to be an invaluable resource to help students enhance their awareness of American popular music."
Steve Rucker, Jazz Studies Department Chair
Frost School of Music, University of Miami


"Your video saved my life! I was handed a last-minute general music class in August and was able to complete the curriculum with this product. The teacher resource kit is super valuable."
Kathleen S. Robinson, Director of Music
Beck Academy
Greenville SC

 
"This DVD covers all the bases with current educational trends: relevancy, pacing and a multi-disciplinary (aka cross-curricular) approach…"
Sue Jehl, Summit Middle School
Fort Wayne, IN


My students love it! The program is both teacher and student friendly, and the work is done for us! If I was a music substitute teacher, I would carry this with me everywhere I went! This will be the third time I've used this program, it's a 'must have' for me!
Heidi Wiens, Gen Music/Choir
Kansas City Public Schools

 

"I've been teaching an American popular music unit for the last 10 years, and I've always wanted a video series that covered all the styles in a concise, introductory way. Before, I was pulling together materials that were mostly geared too young or too advanced. “From Ragtime to Rock” is just the right fit!"
Barbara Thomas, St. Helen Catholic School
Dayton, OH


"Thank you for the material. The worksheets are perfect for my choir class when we study different genres of American music. It's really nice that you tie the music in with American history. I think that this would be valuable to Social Science teachers as well."
Sam Chen, Alhambra Unified School District
Alhambra, CA


"If you haven't yet heard of "From Ragtime to Rock", you need to -- especially if you teach general music.  It's a GREAT program with a lot of super information you can view on a chapter-by-chapter basis or watch the entire program in a day or two. Not only is Daniel Glass a great presenter (and musician), his Teacher Guides and Student Guides lead you through a well-planned conversation about the cultural and historical factors that had an impact on America's popular music. He is amazing at drawing people in because of his passion for the subject and his enthusiasm shines through as he shares our musical history in a way that's accessible and relate-able for people of ALL ages.  The program includes some incredible performances, too."
Kelli Rae Tubbs, Private Percussion Instructor
Minneapolis, MN

"Thank you for creating a really good and interesting curriculum for music teachers such as myself.  I am classically trained, and did not know much about popular music, so I thoroughly enjoyed learning about this material. The kids loved the curriculum as well.  I had originally decided to teach it to both my seventh and eighth grade classes, but am now contemplating adding the sixth grade!  I was able to expand all of the lessons by buying the recordings you mentioned in your 'For Further Study' sections and then incorporating those artists into the relevant unit presentations. I definitely plan on teaching this again, and making it a featured part of my music curriculum."
David Parry, Stoneham Public Schools
Stoneham, MA

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About Daniel Glass:


Daniel Glass is an award-winning drummer, author, historian and educator. Based in New York City, he is widely recognized as an authority on the evolution of American popular music. As a professional musician, Daniel has recorded and performed with many top artists, including Brian Setzer, Bette Midler, Liza Minnelli, Royal Crown Revue and KISS front man Gene Simmons. Since 2010, he has been the Monday night house drummer at New York’s legendary Birdland Jazz Club.

Daniel has published five books, 3 DVDs and dozens of articles dedicated to sharing the amazing story of our American musical heritage. His program From Ragtime to Rock: An Introduction to 100 Years of American Popular Music is used by more than a thousand Middle and High school educators across the U.S.

As an educator, Daniel has presented more than 300 clinics, master classes and seminars worldwide on the evolution of American music. He also teaches courses about music and history to home school communities in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. All of Daniel’s work as an educator reflects his indomitable drive to help 21st century music students bridge the gap between the music they love today and the popular music of the past.

Learn more at: www.DanielGlass.com

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