At a young age, Yo-Yo Ma discovered a remarkable gift for the cello, playing Bach from memory by age four. His technique was far beyond his years, but even as he grew and became a world-class musician—studying at Juilliard, performing at Carnegie Hall at a young age, even playing on television before the president of the United States—he wanted to use his gift for something deeper, something bigger.

As he asked question after question, trying to understand his place in the world, he discovered something that every culture has in common: music.

Ma decided that he would spend his life not only performing for others, but learning from other cultures’ musical traditions and finding ways to unite people. Even as he dedicated himself to humanitarian work around the world, Ma also dedicated himself to teaching a new generation of young cellists to play with their whole hearts, bodies, and souls, like he does—how to find the music inside themselves.

From James Howe, bestselling author of Bunnicula, and Jack Wong, award-winning author/illustrator of When You Can Swim, comes the story of legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma, who is special not only because of his unmatched talent but also his curious mind and compassionate heart. Powerfully told and stunningly illustrated, this biography will inspire readers to discover the gifts inside us all.

Back matter includes an author’s and an illustrator’s note, a timeline of Ma’s life, and resources to learn more about his life and work.

A volume in Advances in Music Education Research Series Editors Linda K. Thompson, Lee University and Mark Robin Campbell, SUNY at Potsdam Research Perspectives: Thought and Practice in Music Education calls attention to various theoretical and methodological aspects within the expanding field of research in music education. Perspectives presented in this volume offer readers a host of ideas and practices that range from international and historical to empirical and philosophical. Of special interest is a set of invited essays. Collectively, these essays illuminate our understanding of the peer review process, the importance of artistic vision in research and education, and the notion of complementarity - a recognition of the validity of diversity of thought and practice in music education research. The studies in Part 1 of Research Perspectives include early childhood musical development, an international comparison of early childhood preservice teacher knowledge and skills, and a psychohistoric examination of developmentally appropriate practice. Part II is comprised of studies focused on psychometrics of motivation, and professional development of practicing music educators. This volume is a significant addition to the libraries of Colleges of Education and Schools of Music, as well as an important reference for music scholars and educators, researchers, and graduate students who are concerned with advancing both the scope and quality of research in the study of music teaching and learning.

The Pearson Edexcel GCSE Anthology of Music introduces the GCSE set works to a new generation of musicians and will inspire them to develop their music knowledge, understanding and skills and will help them prepare for their assessment. Published in partnership with Edition Peters and Faber Music, and edited by Julia Winterson, the printed Anthology contains: printed music scores of all 8 new set works in a single volume a preface to each score, setting the piece in context and highlighting key themes and listening awareness points glossary of key terms used in each set work.

Pianist Madeleine Forte's story is one of obstacles and successes, of extraordinary talent, and of a long and fascinating life of international study and performance. Born in Vichy-controlled French Algeria during World War II, she began learning to play the piano at an early age and was soon performing publicly. She made her debut in Vichy at thirteen while studying with Alfred Cortot and Wilhelm Kempff. As a young woman, she went to boarding school in Algiers and Paris, continuing her musical studies. She married young, and the marriage fell apart not long after the birth of her first son, Yann. As she continued to travel, studying and performing, she struggled to establish herself as a professional artist. She studied with Rosina Lhevinne and Martin Canin in New York, married again, and became a professor of music at Boise State University. Her second marriage brought another son, Olen, and lasted fourteen years. After her second divorce, she moved to Connecticut, where she met Allen Forte, her third husband. They collaborated on several artistic projects and performed all over the world. This memoir tells the story of how a little girl with a big talent overcame myriad challenges and found the courage to achieve artistic success and personal happiness. Praise for Madeleine Forte's Performances and Recordings "At a time when national styles have all but dissolved into a generalized international goulash, Forte's gorgeous tone and sensuous line evoke classic French pianism ... her Maurice Ravel holds its own against interpretations by many of her more celebrated peers, from the chaste simplicity of the Sonatine to the virtuosic 'Gaspard de la Nuit, ' in which no prisoners are taken and no notes are dropped." "-The New Yorker" "Madeleine Forte is another master of the French School ... She plays Debussy in a manner that would do her old master Cortot proud, with a clear-eyed vigor, pearlescent tone, and attention to detail that does not belie the emotional content of the music but only makes it more coherent." "-Fanfare"

Children can discover the magic of Beethoven by pressing the buttons in this delightfully illustrated novelty book. The animal orchestra travel from place to place, playing different pieces of Beethoven's music and telling us a little bit about the composer's extraordinary life. This is a perfect introduction to one of the greatest composers of all time.

The Unknown Musician is a five part novel based on a true story. It depicts a young man's unthinkable dream of having the best R and B show band the world has ever seen. In pursuing that dream, he successfully recruited eleven dedicated young musicians, who adopted his dream and together they set out on a whirlwind journey to make that dream a reality. During the course of their journey, they encountered numerous celebrities such as James Brown, Little Richard, Bill Cosby, Isaac Hayes, and Michael Jackson as they attempted to establish themselves in the music industry. The Unknown Musician is filled with adventure, passion, humor and suspense. It also has its share of tragedy. Although told through the eyes of a musician, this compelling story is intended to motivate and encourage others to live their dreams, celebrate each achievement, and realize that fame and fortune are not the only measures of success.

Facing the Music investigates the practices and ideas that have grown from some five decades of cultural diversity in music education, developments in ethnomusicology, and the rise of 'world music'. Speaking from rich, hands-on experience of more than thirty years at various levels of music education (music in schools, community organizations and professional training courses), Huib Schippers makes a powerful case for the crucial role of learning music in shaping rich and diverse musical environments for the 21st century, both in practical terms and at a conceptual level: "what we hear is the product of what we believe about music."
Advocating a contemporary, positive and realistic approach to cultural diversity in music education and transmission, Schippers advocates taking into account and celebrating the natural dynamics of music. He argues that "most music travels remarkably well," and regards every musical act as an expression of the 'here and now', as do many of the musicians and scholars he quotes. In this way, he challenges stifling directives to recreate 'authentic contexts', which in fact constantly change (and have always changed) in the cultures of origin as well. This liberates music educators to seek with integrity appropriate ways of presenting music at all levels of education: in schools, community settings, and professional training.
In seven succinct chapters that each approach the issues from a different angle, Schippers gradually unfolds the complexities of learning and teaching music 'out of context' in an accessible manner, and presents a coherent model to approach these, as well as lucid suggestions for translating the resulting ideas in practice. While mapping the various factors that determine all acts of music transmission, he also comes to surprising insights into the nature and preconceptions underlying much formal music education settings across the world, including those focusing on western classical music.
Facing the Music provides a rich resource for reflection and practice for all those involved in teaching and learning music, from policy maker to classroom teacher.