New August Store Update - World Folklore Day
Happy August! In honor of World Folklore Day, the Practice Space store is celebrating composers who drew deeply from the traditional music of their cultures. This month’s avatars highlight artists who preserved, reimagined, and elevated folk melodies from Armenia, Estonia, China, the Czech Republic, and the streets of New York. These composers bring history to life through their music, showing students how heritage and folklore can inspire powerful, lasting works.
Each avatar in our store can be redeemed with Practice Gems, which students earn by meeting their daily practice goals—making musical progress both fun and rewarding. As students collect avatars, they also connect with composers whose music tells stories of place, identity, and tradition.
To bring these stories into your lessons, we’ve included a PDF packet filled with engaging activities, short composer bios, puzzles, and quizzes. Plus, each avatar is paired with a YouTube link to a representative piece, giving your students the chance to hear the sounds of folklore woven into classical music.
Celebrate World Folklore Day with us by exploring these new avatars and helping your students discover the powerful connection between culture and composition—only in the August update from Practice Space!
Komitas (1869–1935, Armenia) - I’m Komitas, an Armenian priest, composer, and ethnomusicologist. I devoted my life to collecting and preserving the folk songs of my homeland.
Facts in app:
I transcribed over 3,000 Armenian folk songs—many would have been lost without me.
I believed Armenian folk music could stand alongside European classical works.
Many people call me the founder of modern Armenian music.
Check out this performance of Shushiki, Marali from Six Dances for Piano
Anahit Stelmashova / Komitas - Shushiki, Marali from six dances for piano - YouTube
Moondog (1916–1999, USA) - I’m Moondog, a blind American composer and street performer known for mixing Native American rhythms, jazz, and minimalism.
Facts in app:
I often performed in Viking clothing on the streets of New York.
I invented several instruments, including the trimba.
Composers like Philip Glass and Steve Reich respected my music.
Check out this performance of Bird’s Lament:
Moondog: Bird's lament - Conductus Ensemble - YouTube
Vítězslav Novák (1870–1949, Czech Republic) - I’m Vítězslav Novák, a Czech composer who filled my music with folk melodies from Moravia and Slovakia.
Facts in app:
I hiked through the countryside to study and collect folk music.
My piece In the Tatra Mountains celebrates Slovakia’s landscape.
I helped shape Czech musical nationalism and mentored young composers.
Check out this performance of Slovak Suite, IV:
Vítězslav Novák, Slovak suite, IV. U Muziky - YouTube
Qigang Chen (b. 1951, China/France) - I’m Qigang Chen, a composer who blends Chinese folk traditions with Western classical music.
Facts in app:
I studied with Olivier Messiaen and now live in France.
I composed music for the 2008 Beijing Olympics opening ceremony.
My piece Wu Xing explores five elements in Chinese philosophy.
Check out this performance of The Five Elements:
Qigang CHEN‘s Wu Xing (The Five Elements) (1999) For Symphony Orchestra - YouTube
Eduard Tubin (1905–1982, Estonia/Sweden) - I’m Eduard Tubin, an Estonian composer who used folk dance rhythms in my ballets and symphonies.
Facts in app:
I fled the Soviet occupation and continued composing in Sweden.
I often used Estonian bagpipe and fiddle tunes in my music.
My Estonian Dance Suite is popular for teaching rhythmic variation.
Check out this performance of Estonian Dance Suite:
Tubin: Estonian Dance Suite, 1938 - YouTube
Background Update
Some other fun additions
These all cheer the student on but also talk about tempo and other musical terms!
