Throughout history, musicians and musical works have reflected the fashion, culture, and social attitudes of their times. Music today is more diversified than ever, from the megahits of teen pop stars to the depth and emotionality of gospel choirs to the tones and textures produced by large-scale orchestras. Add to this the unstoppable forces of MySpace, YouTube, the iPod, and a rapidly expanding community of independent labels and producers, and the result is a kaleidoscope of styles, movements, and voices. This program gives students an overview of musical genres, including forms of classical music, rock and pop, musical theater, 20th- and 21st-century film music, heavy metal, and rap.

Encoded with permission for digital streaming by Infobase on June 03, 2009. Learn360 is distributed by Infobase for Films for the Humanities & Sciences, Cambridge Educational, Meridian Education, and Shopware.

Music: Universal Communicator (5:04) -- Classical Music (1750-1820) (3:13) -- Romantic Era (1820-1900) (0:49) -- Opera and Musical Theater (3:22) -- Contemporary and Popular Music (4:02) -- Urban, Hip Hop & Rap Music (3:46).