The Ultimate Guide to Teaching Music History in Your Homeschool: Curriculum Ideas for 2025

Did you know that studying music history can improve your child's cognitive skills, cultural awareness, and even math abilities? As a parent and teacher, I've discovered that incorporating music history into curriculum has been a game-changer. It's not just about learning dates and composer names – it's about bringing the past to life through sound.

In this guide, I'll pool my knowledge as both teacher and parent to walk you through everything you need to know to create an engaging and effective music history curriculum for your homeschool. Whether you're a seasoned music enthusiast or a complete novice, I've got you covered. So, let's dive in and explore how you can make music history a vibrant part of your homeschool journey!

Why Include Music History in Your Homeschool Curriculum?

When I first started planning subjects to introduce to my boys and the students I teach, I'll admit I was a bit skeptical about dedicating time to music history. I mean, some say that time is better spent on "core" subjects! Boy, was I wrong! Here's what I've learned about the benefits of studying music history:

It's a cultural goldmine: Music history is like a time machine that transports kids to different eras and cultures. It's helped my students better understand more than just music itself.
Listening skills get a major boost: I've noticed my students paying more attention to details, not just in music, but in everyday life. It's like their ears have been fine-tuned!
It connects the dots: You wouldn't believe how often connections are found between music and other subjects. It makes history, art, and even literature lessons so much richer.
Appreciation for diversity: Exposing kids to various musical styles opens their minds. Many "pop-music-only" teens now have playlists that span centuries!

Creating a Timeline: The Backbone of Your Music History Curriculum

Alright, let's get practical. The first thing I would do when starting a music history journey is create a timeline. Trust me, it's a game-changer! Here's how you can do it:

Start with the big picture: Break down music history into major periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern - you could add the earlier Medieval and Renaissance periods later). Using different colours for each period on the timeline works well.
Make it interactive: Some families use a large roll of paper and add important events as they learn about them. Sticky notes are great for this – easy to move around or update!
Don't just stick to music: I love adding major historical events alongside musical milestones in my music lessons. It really helps put things in perspective. Did you know the flushing toilet was invented when W.A. Mozart was 19yrs old? No wonder he loved scatalogical jokes.
Get creative: Kids love decorating their timeline with drawings of instruments, composer portraits, and even little musical notes. It can became a work of art in itself!

Essential Composers and Their Contributions

Now, let's talk about the rockstars of music history – the composers! Here's how I tackle this part in my lessons:

Choose wisely: Don't try to cover every composer who ever lived. We focus on a handful from each period. Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Saint-Saëns are firm favorites.
Make it relatable: Instead of just rattling off facts, I try to find interesting tidbits about each composer's life. Did you know Bach loved coffee and performed reguarly in a Leipzig coffee house? My students loved that detail!
Get hands-on: I hope soon to create composer trading cards with fun facts, major works, and even a "power rating" for different musical skills. This will take some effort, but I think it could give hours of offline fun!
Listen, listen, listen: This is crucial! We make it a point to listen undistracted to each composer's works. I'll never forget my son's face when he heard Vivaldi's Four Seasons for the first time – priceless!

Listening Activities: Bringing Music History to Life

Speaking of listening, this is where the rubber meets the road. Here's how I make listening activities engaging:

Structure it: I sometimes start with short, guided listening sessions. I'd ask questions like, "How does this music make you feel?" or "Can you hear the violins come in?"
Compare and contrast: Listening to pieces from different periods back-to-back employs perhaps the strongest force in teaching: contrast. It's amazing how quickly kids can start to identify characteristics of different eras!
Create playlists: Tech-savvy teens can take charge of creating Spotify playlists for each musical period. It's great for background music during other lessons or chore time.
Be patient: I'll be realistic, my kids are a way off being full-blown musical appreciators of all styles! But with each passing week, there are more signs of progress - don't give up!

Integrating Music History with Other Subjects

One of the coolest things about music history is how it ties into, well, everything! Here's how you can integrate it:

World history: Study the historical context of each musical period. The French Revolution and Mozart's music? Perfect match!
Science: We explored the physics of sound and how instruments work. Look up how the deliberate tuning mismatch in Indonesian Gamelan music causes a beautiful shimmering sound ('interference beating' if you want to get technical).
Literature: So many great books tie into music history. I love Beethoven's Letters which give a realistic snapshot of life as a composer in the 1800's.

Hands-On Projects to Reinforce Music History Concepts

Let's face it, kids learn best by doing. Here are some project ideas for your homeschool:

DIY instruments: Make simple versions of historical instruments. Why not decorate a "gut bucket bass" with ornate Baroque painting?
Compose like a master: Try composing in different historical styles. Let me tell you, writing a specific style of music can be challenging, but it really gets kids tuning into the specific features of that style!
Put on a show: Organize a mini music history performance for family and friends. Each kid could represent a different period – costumes and all!

Resources for Teaching Music History at Home

You don't have to go it alone! Here are some resources that have been lifesavers for some:

Books: "The Story Orchestra" by Jessica Courtney-Tickle (yes, that's her real name) is a firm favourite in our house.
Online lessons: most of my weekly lessons include music history - check them out here!
Tours: Many museums offer tours of their instrument collections. Google what's available near you!

Assessing Music History Knowledge in Your Homeschool

I know, I know – assessment can be a pain. But it doesn't have to be! Here's how you can make it work:

Get creative: Instead of traditional tests, do things like creating music history board games or writing fictional diary entries from the perspective of composers.
Build a portfolio: Have your kids keep a music history journal with notes, drawings, and reflections on pieces they've listened to.
Stealth learning: Sneak music history questions into regular discussions. It's amazing how much they retain when they don't realize they're being "tested"!

As we wrap up this guide, I want to encourage you: don't be intimidated by teaching music history. Start small, maybe with just one composer or period that interests you. Before you know it, you'll be diving deep into the rich world of musical heritage.

Remember, the goal isn't to create musical scholars (though you might!). It's about enriching your children's lives, expanding their cultural horizons, and maybe, just maybe, instilling a lifelong love of music.

So, what are you waiting for? Turn up the Bach, break out the timeline, and start your music history adventure! And hey, I'd love to hear about your experiences. Have you tried teaching music history in your homeschool? Any tips or favourite resources to share? I'd love to hear from you.

Don't forget to check out my weekly live lessons - music history is a big part of our curriculum.