In addition to studying the Circle of Fifths to better understand keys and key signatures, fifth graders are embarking on a special project for Black History Month. After a discussion about the dearth of books, posters, composer statues, and printed sheet music by and about both female and black composers in history and the present, Samantha made a terrific suggestion.  We should make our own composer posters!  So, each student has been assigned a black composer to research, and will be creating a poster featuring a portrait drawn by the student along with interesting facts about the composer. We will be discussing and listening to music by each composer/performer along the way. As part of the project, next Wednesday, we will be doing a live Zoom interview of my college friend, Wendel Patrick, whose career has ranged from concert pianist to performing hip-hop artist and producer, to professor at both Yale and the Peabody Conservatory.  If you would like to learn more about Wendel Patrick, here’s a great recorded interview.