1. ChoralWiki
http://www1.cpdl.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
Summary: ChoralWiki is a site that provides free access to thousands of public domain pieces of music (mainly choral). The Wiki has not only a search option (for pieces of music) but also categorizes them based on time period and style. The site also provides links to wikipedia articles on composers and significant pieces of music.
Commentary: The advantages of this Website are that it provides an insurmountable amount of free music to choral directors. Also the search engine that operates within the site is quick and easy to use. The disadvantages of this site are that because it is a wiki, sometimes the pieces that are listed are not %100 accurate. In other words, even though the music is free to use, it's a good idea to compare a piece with a published edition before copying it and performing it with a group. I rate this site 4 out of 5 stars.
2. ChoralNet
http://www.choralnet.org/
Summary: ChoralNet is an online resource from the ACDA (American Choral Director's Association) that directors can use to communicate and learn from one another. The site features both blogs and forums in which professionals can communicate with one another, and the site also provides listings of jobs available in choral music along with links to websites of well-known choirs.
Commentary: The advantages of this Website are that the information in the forums and blogs is invaluable in finding out current trends in choral music and music education. And the classified section is a pretty valuable resource for choral directors (especially in this economy!) The disadvantages of the site are that sometimes when I have researched a particular piece for ideas about performance techniques, I tend to get differing views and opinions in the forums section, which can make it difficult to figure out what information is correct. Overall the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages so I give this site a 4 out of 5.
3. Musica International Database of Choral Repertoire
http://musicanet.org/
Summary: The international database of choral repertoire is a search tool as well as a pedagogic tool for conductors, musicologists, schools of music, musical federations, music stores, and also for amateurs and people eager to know about choral music repertoire. The site features free sheets of music as well as information on well known pieces.
Commentary: The advantages of this site are that it tends to be a more reliable source than ChoralWiki in the accuracy of the music that it lists and contains. Also a nice feature about the site is that when you search for a piece of music if it is not public domain it will give you the publishing information on it so that you can order it from a supplier (such as jwpepper). The disadvantages are that for full unrestricted access to the site one must order a subscription. While the subscription does give access to valuable recordings of various pieces, the site is very useful to those who do not choose to subscribe. I give this site a 3 out of 5.
4. J.W. Pepper & Son, Inc.
http://www.jwpepper.com/
Summary: J.W. Pepper is the world's largest distributor of printed music. A full range of music catalogs, live events and the industry's most expansive inventory may be accessed and ordered online. The site features a music search option with the ability to set up an account either for yourself, or for your school or organization.
Commentary: The advantages of this site is in the ease of use that it offers. For most of the pieces of music that the company sells, the first pages of the music is offered in a protected .pdf format - letting users view the first page of music for free, but not allowing them to print (because of copyright law). Users viewing and searching for music can also hear song clips and sometimes even full recording of pieces before deciding to order them. The account option makes ordering music and educational resources easy - I should know because I have one account tied to three different organizations through the site. The disadvantages of the site are few and far between. Usually when I need to order music, this is the first place I look. I give this site 5 out of 5.
5. Art Song Central
http://artsongcentral.com/
Summary: Art Song Central is a site that not only catalogs different art song but also provides resources such as translations and IPA pronunciations. For many of the pieces there are also free public domain copies available on the site as well.
Commentary: The advantages of this site are that it is a totally free resource to use. Voice students and teachers preparing students for college auditions and NYSSMA solos will find this site invaluable because of its reliable IPA pronunciations and translations. The disadvantages to this site are that not every piece that a student would work on is in this database, however the vast majority of music on the site far outweighs this disadvantage. I give this site a 4 out of 5.
6. Connexions: The Basic Elements of Music
http://cnx.org/content/col10218/latest/
Summary: This is a module-based educational site that is designed to familiarize students with the basic elements of music and how they are used. Each module is full of hypertext links for important terms and their meanings. The module also is built on a conceptual framework, meaning the parts of the module are sequential.
Commentary: The advantages of this site is that the information provided in the module is accurate and explained well. Students using this site can get a quick but thorough understanding of the basic elements of music. The disadvantages of the site are few. One is that some of the pieces of the module are written more towards a teacher looking for activities to do with students, and therefore would not necessarily appropriate for all age levels. However the fact that it is written for the teacher makes it very possible for a professional to read and then use the information on the site in class. I give this site a 4 out of 5.
7. Music Graphics Galore
http://www.musicgraphicsgalore.net/
Summary: Music Graphics Galore is a collection of free graphics, clipart, and icons. The website is basically a catalog of these different resources found on the internet on one site. All images are public domain and are free to use.
Commentary: The advantages of this site are huge. First it's free. Second the amount of graphics is staggering. Music educators and students can use the images found on this site to aid in creating everything from teaching resources to bulletin boards to concert programs to even scrapbooking! One disadvantage of this site is that sometimes some of the links don't work and haven't been updated. Because this site works as a web 2.0 site one should email the admin of the site about these links when they are found in order to help keep it up to date. I give this site a 4 out of 5.
8. Classical Composers' Archive
http://voyager.physics.unlv.edu/webpages2/websyt/archive.html
Summary: The Classical Composers' Archive is a web-resource for looking up basic biographies on many famous composers. Composers are categorized alphabetically, by nationality, and by musical era. While the site does not feature a search option the composers are categorized so well that one is almost not even needed.
Commentary: The advantages of this site is in the information proved on each composer. Musical encyclopedias are expensive and trips to a library can be too time consuming when you need to know just the basic information on a composer and you need it quick and conveniently. One disadvantage of this site is that more recent composers are not included in the site. So if the piece of music was written by a modern composer, you'll have to look elsewhere. Because a lot of the music that I and others perform is written by modern composers I only rate this site a 3 out of 5.
9. iBreatheMusic.com
http://www.ibreathemusic.com/
Summary: iBreathMusic.com is a website designed as an educational site with basic tutorials and pages outlining important concepts in music. Users can not only read articles explaining different aspects of music theory and musicianship, but can also listen to examples and in some articles can even watch a professional play examples! There is also a forum section that allows for interactive dialogue between users.
Commentary: The advantages of this site are huge, mainly because of its interactive aspects. Visitors can not only read about these concepts they can also listen to and experience them. I would rate this site as one of the top self-help and instruction websites on the internet in regards to music education. One of the disadvantages of this site is that it does tend to be designed more for the guitarist in mind. There tends to be a lot more of articles on guitar playing than on playing the trombone for example. Because of this I give the site a 3 out of 5.
10. MENC - The National Association for Music Education
http://www.menc.org/
Summary: MENC is the THE national associate for music education. Because of this their website is designed to be viewed by many music educators. Forums, links, and resources are all contained on this site. Members of MENC can also gain access to professional music journals online such as the Music Eductaors Journal, Teaching Music, and the Journal of Research in Music Education.
Commentary: The advantages of this website are endless. It is my opinion that anyone who teaches music should be familiar with this organization and this site. The links to state-level music education organizations is incredibly valuable. And the advocacy page is has some incredibly important information on it (especially in this economy!). I have also personally found that the access to the trusted and peer reviewed journals online have been very useful as I went through my research process in writing my thesis. Not only can current issues be viewed but the site also catalogs past issues. One of the disadvantages of the site is that it has SO much information that finding your way to exactly what you want to view can be a challenge if you've never been on the website before. However because the advantages FAR outweigh the disadvantages I give this site a 5 out of 5, and a staple of music education websites.
