Introduce students to the music of Margaret Bonds!

Did You Know?

• Margaret Bonds frequently collaborated with Langston Hughes.
• She opened the Allied Arts Academy.
• She studied piano and composition at the Juilliard School.
• The "Montgomery Variations" were composed in 1965 and dedicated to Martin Luther King, Jr.

Composer Fact Sheet - From the composer's birthplace to the instruments they've studied, this one page reference sheet will make a great handout for your students.

Birthplace Guide - Add in some geographical research to discover more about where the composer was born! This page includes space for writing the capital, language, and even a popular food.

Listening Sheet - There are no wrong answers! Students can note how they feel and what they imagine while listening to a selected piece of music. Choose from the musical instruments, nature scenes, colors, and more.

Weather & Feelings - Weather is a recurring theme in classical music. Does a musical piece remind the listener of a snowy day or a cheerful sunny afternoon? Students can select the weather symbols that come to mind. Is the music happy or sad? A set of emotional characters allows your group to pick the feelings that best relate to a piece of music.

Printable Listening Sheet Sets Include:

01. Troubled Water

02. He's Got the Whole World in His Hands (frequently attributed as "traditional" or "folk song," but is regarded as a Bonds spiritual composition.)

03. Three Dream Portraits, text by Langston Hughes

04. You Can Tell the World

05. Lord I Just Can't Keep from Cryin'

06. The Ballad of the Brown King, text by Langston Hughes

07. Spring Will Be So Sad (When She Comes This Year)

Need More Black History Month Resources?

Share stories, create conversations, and spark a deeper appreciation for the arts all month (and all year) long! Explore ALL of the Black History Month composer packs, activities, and digital resources.