Are you teaching 20th-century history in your homeschool and wishing it felt more alive, meaningful, and connected? What if your students could hear history—not just read about it?
In this episode of the Music in Our Homeschool podcast, Gena Mayo shares the story behind her 20th-Century Music Appreciation course and explains why music is one of the most powerful tools for understanding modern history. From world wars and political upheaval to cultural revolutions and artistic experimentation, the music of the 1900s reflects the emotions, struggles, and ideas of the people who lived it.
You’ll hear how this course began as a small homeschool co-op class and grew into a flexible, self-paced fine arts course designed especially for high school students—but easily adaptable for younger learners, too. Gena walks you through what students will explore, including ragtime, jazz, big band, musical theater, film scores, and modern classical music.
Students encounter composers such as John Philip Sousa, Scott Joplin, George Gershwin, Leonard Bernstein, Dmitri Shostakovich, Philip Glass, and John Williams, while learning how historical events shaped the sounds of the century.
If you want history studies that go beyond memorization and help your students truly feel the era they’re studying, this episode will show you how music appreciation can add depth, emotion, and understanding to your homeschool—without adding stress or prep.
🎶 Listen in and discover how music can bring modern history to life.
Find links to all resources mentioned in this episode here: https://musicinourhomeschool.com/20th-century-music-appreciation/
Please follow/subscribe to the podcast and leave a 5-star review and comment if you liked this episode! Find all courses at https://Learn.MusicinOurHomeschool.com ,free music lessons here: https://MusicinOurHomeschool.com/FreeMusicLessons , and lots more links here: https://linktr.ee/genamayo !
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