Students will learn about history and music history through listening, analyzing, and performing works in their instrumental class. Students will gain insight into history through a Fine Arts lens, enabling them to make connections with contemporaries and world events. 

Episode 1: This video discusses the most common instruments used in old time and bluegrass music. While the fiddle, guitar, and bass are largely unchanged in recent history, the banjo has consistently evolved to reflect advances in technology and manufacturing techniques. Music Historian and Program Director for Junior Appalachian Musicians' Jim Lloyd is joined by banjo player Lincoln Hensley to show the evolution of the banjo, the two main banjo playing styles, and tuning techniques.

Episode 3: In this video, Dr. Rene' Rogers, chief curator of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol, VA/TN shares the importance of the 1927 Bristol Sessions, which resulted in the launch of prominent Appalachian musicians like the Carter Family and Jimmy Rogers, as well as producer Ralph Peer, among others. The evolution of recording equipment and techniques is tied to Bristol's central location for musical talent and traditions.