The Birthplace of Country Music https://birthplaceofcountrymusic.org
The Birthplace of Country Music preserves and promotes the story of the 1927 Bristol Sessions and the rich music heritage of the surrounding region through its three branches: the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival, Radio Bristol. A major focus of its mission is education, which it delivers through its annual Pick Along Summer Camps (music instruction), school group visits to the museum (including learning activities and hands-on experiences), and the History of Listening Lesson (a museum or in-school educational program focused on how music has been listened to over the years).
Contact Rene Rodgers at rrodgers@birthplaceofcountrymusic.org
Sample Programs Offered
Program Type: Arts Appreciation
Program Description:
We offer interesting and engaging field trips to K-12 and college students. Our student tours usually include an orientation film about the Bristol Sessions, an introduction to the permanent exhibits, a scavenger hunt activity, and free exploration time. We recommend spending at least 1 ½–2 hours in the museum to provide your group with enough time for their tour and related activities, along with the possibility of taking part in other learning programs. For instance, we can include a variety of educational and fun activities such as hands-on instrument time, Banjo Bingo or Name that Instrument, special exhibit tours, and other lessons that suit your needs.
School group visits to the museum typically include:
– A docent-led introduction to the story of the 1927 Bristol Sessions
– The Orientation Film “Bound to Bristol, which provides a deeper look into our history
– An age-appropriate scavenger hunt (usually then discussed after free exploration time) and free exploration time in the museum’s core exhibits including three other film experiences and various interactives (with docents on hand to answer questions or give more guidance to the content via various exhibit touch points).
– And/or an inquiry-based learning activity using historic images and objects
Teachers can choose among three field trip options–Music, History, and Technology–in order to best match the experience to their curriculum. All tours contain fundamental information about the 1927 Bristol Sessions recordings, the basis of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum.
By request, a guided tour of the current special exhibit can also be included; schools can also plan their museum visit specifically around a special exhibit. We have new temporary and traveling exhibits in our Special Exhibits Gallery about 2—3 times per year; many of these can serve as educational resources across curricula. We are also currently developing some extra activities such as Banjo Bingo or badge-making that can be added on to the museum experience if requested by the teacher, along with coloring/activity sheets that can be taken back to the classroom. The museum’s content intersects with a variety of curricula needs from history and music to science and English. We recommend at least 1 ½–2 hours to fully experience the museum, and we can discuss with teachers the best way to include any of the above activities within their available time frame.
Our tours, activities, and scavenger hunts can be geared toward elementary, middle, or high school levels. College-level tours and programs are also available. To schedule your school field trip with us, contact us at 423-573-1927 or info@birthplaceofcountrymusic.org.
Lesson Plan Example: Download File
Program Type: Arts Curriculum
Program Description:
At The Birthplace of Country Music’s Pick Along Summer Camps, children ages 8 to 14 receive expert instruction on the same style of instruments that were used in the 1927 Bristol Sessions recordings, learning fundamental skills in various music styles and how to play music. Campers also explore the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, learn about the music of Bristol and our region, receive instruction in singing and dancing, participate in a variety of activities with our working radio station, and learn about other concepts and disciplines that make up the rich tapestry of country music. At the end of the week, campers will even perform a brief concert for families to show off their skills! The week-long summer camp sessions are open to beginner and intermediate campers; music instruction focuses on the acoustic guitar, banjo, and fiddle. No previous musical experience is required for beginner level Pick Along Summer Camps, only an interest in music and a desire to learn and have fun! These camps are designed for different levels of experience and anyone interested in our music heritage.
Children ages 8-14 receive expert instruction on the same style of instruments that were used on the 1927 Bristol Sessions recordings. They will learn to play music using fundamental skills in various music styles. Campers get to explore the museum, learn about the region’s music, and are introduced to other concepts & disciplines that make up the rich tapestry of country music.
Children ages 8-14 receive expert instruction on the same style of instruments that were used on the 1927 Bristol Sessions recordings. They will learn to play music using fundamental skills in various music styles. Campers get to explore the museum, learn about the region’s music, and are introduced to other concepts & disciplines that make up the rich tapestry of country music.
Camp Dates: June and July 2024 (exact dates TDB)
Lesson Plan Example: Download File
Program Type: Arts Integration, Arts Appreciation
Program Description:
The Birthplace of Country Music Museum has created a lesson plan focused on the history and technology of “listening” using our content as a basis for this learning. Throughout history music has been experienced in a variety of ways, especially as advances in technology have developed over time. This lesson explores these technological changes and compares how listening to music has transitioned from being a mostly community-based activity, often through live performance, to listening either alone or together in person by using technology to the virtual environments of cyberspace. Concepts addressed include how music has been shared, the development and delivery of early recorded sound, the basic principles of how sound works (including STEAM-focused demonstrations), and a hands-on and inquiry-based exploration of different types of musical players and formats.
This lesson can be delivered virtually via Zoom, allowing interaction with the students. For the lesson’s touchables, the museum is able to lend 2—3 objects out so that these can be used in the classroom by the teacher during the lesson.
Lesson Plan Example: Download File
Program Type: Arts Curriculum
Program Description:
School group visits to the museum typically include:
· A docent-led introduction to the story of the 1927 Bristol Sessions
· The Orientation Film “Bound to Bristol, which provides a deeper look into our history
· An age-appropriate scavenger hunt (usually then discussed after free exploration time) and free exploration time in the museum’s core exhibits including three other film experiences and various interactives (with docents on hand to answer questions or give more guidance to the content via various exhibit touch points).
· And/or an inquiry-based learning activity using historic images and objects
By request, a guided tour of the current special exhibit can also be included; schools can also plan their museum visit specifically around a special exhibit. We have new temporary and traveling exhibits in our Special Exhibits Gallery about 2—3 times per year; many of these can serve as educational resources across curricula. We are also currently developing some extra activities such as Banjo Bingo or badge-making that can be added on to the museum experience if requested by the teacher, along with coloring/activity sheets that can be taken back to the classroom. The museum’s content intersects with a variety of curricula needs from history and music to science and English. We recommend at least 1 ½–2 hours to fully experience the museum, and we can discuss with teachers the best way to include any of the above activities within their available time frame.
Student tours of the museum can be delivered virtually via Zoom, allowing interaction with the students. A virtual tour would include an exploration of the permanent exhibits and current special exhibit (if requested/available), music and film clips, and related activities (such as inquiry-based learning and Banjo Bingo).
Lesson Plan Example: Download File
