WOMEN IN MUSIC · 2017. 2. 9. · • Women have made jazz music since the genre’s beginning....

Learn about, watch, and discuss influential female musicians from around the world. Visit MIM’s Geographical Galleries on the second floor to complete this activity sheet.

M U S I C A L IN S T R U ME N T M U S E U M

WOMEN IN MUSICActivity Page

Africa Gallery | Sierra Leone• Thisivory side-blown trumpetdisplayedneartheSierraLeoneexhibitisan

importantpartofamasqueradetraditionwhichfeatureswomen.• TheMendepeopleperforminitiationceremoniesforyounggirlswhoare

comingofage.• Duringthemasquerade,womenwearwoodenmasks,suchastheone

picturedhere.

Discuss:Haveyoueverparticipatedinaneventtomarkanimportantmomentinyourlifeorsomeoneelse’s?Describeit.

Discuss:Ifyouhadalotofinfluencetodoso,whatcauseswouldyouhelptosupport?

Middle East Gallery | IsraelWatch:ClipFinIsrael.HowdoesChavaAlberstein’smusicsoundtoyou?• ChavaAlbersteinisanimportantfolksingerandguitaristinIsrael.• Morethanbeingatalentedmusicianandvocalist,Albersteinusesherstatus

topromotepeaceinhercountry.

Oceania Gallery | UkuleleWatch:ClipD.YoucanseeBrittniPaiva’snameengravedonherukulele.• BrittniPaivaisanup-and-comingukulelesoloistinHawaiiatjusttwenty-

threeyearsold.• Paivaplaystheukuleleasasoloist,meaningthattheukuleleisthestarof

theshow!

Discuss:Whatdoyouhopetoaccomplishbythetimeyouare23yearsold?

Latin America Gallery | BelizeWatch:ClipB.Howdoesbrukdongmusicsoundtoyou?• LilaVernon,fromBelize,isthe“QueenofBrukdong.”• Brukdongisamusicalstylethatsoundslikecalypso(steelpan)andcreole

musicmixedwithotherBelizean,Jamaican,andAfricaninfluences.• Today,sheworkstopromoteawarenessandappreciationforBelizean

culture,arts,andhistory.

Discuss:Whydoyouthinkitisimportanttopreserveandpromoteaculturalheritage,likeVernondoes?

United States / Canada Gallery | Women in JazzWatch:ClipCshowsNadineJensenplayingtheflÜgelhornandpianoatthesametime!• Womenhavemadejazzmusicsincethegenre’sbeginning.However,female

instrumentalistsmetresistanceinthemale-dominatedindustry.• Itwasn’tuntilthe1960s,duringthewomen’sliberationmovement,thatthe

contributionsoffemalejazzartistsbegantobeappreciatedintheUS.

Discuss:WhatotherfemalejazzmusicianscanyoufindintheWomeninJazzexhibitandvideoclips?

Europe Gallery | Ireland• Duringthe1800stheharpwasoneofthefewmusicalinstrumentsthatwere

sociallyacceptableforwomentoplay.• Womenplayedasignificantroleinrevivingharptraditionsandpromoting

Irishculturalheritageduringthe1920s,afterbeingsuppressedduringEnglishcolonialrule.

Discuss:HowdoestheharpondisplayintheIrelandexhibitcomparetootherharpsintheEuropeGallery?

Discuss:Asateacherorguru,howmightyoubeabletoinfluencesubsequentgenerations?

Asia Gallery | India: CarnaticWatch:ClipCinIndia:Carnatic.T.Brindaisplayingthevinawithherdaughter.• ThanjavurBrinda(T.Brinda)wasawell-knownguruofCarnaticmusicand

danceinIndia.Sheworkedtodevelopthetalentsofmanystudentsduringherlifetime.

• Inagenreofmusicplayedmostlybymalemusicians,T.Brindafosteredthetalentsofmanyfemalemusicians.