New July Store Update - Celebrate the Voices of Freedom
Happy July! This month, the Practice Space store honors composers whose lives and music echo the fight for freedom, justice, and human dignity. From secret protests hidden in Soviet symphonies to soaring tributes to civil rights heroes, these powerful voices remind us how music can speak when words fall short.
Our “Voices of Freedom” collection highlights five incredible composers: Dmitri Shostakovich, Frédéric Chopin, Pablo Casals, Chou Wen-chung, and Undine Smith Moore. Each of these artists used their work to stand up against oppression, preserve cultural identity, and inspire future generations.
Students can unlock these composer avatars by earning Practice Gems—our in-app reward system for meeting daily practice goals. It’s a fun way to connect consistent effort with meaningful musical stories.
We’ve also created a free PDF packet filled with bite-sized composer bios, fun facts, multiple-choice quizzes, and printable flashcards to bring these composers’ voices into your lessons. And to dive even deeper, explore our curated YouTube links that showcase key works from each artist.
Let’s use this month to reflect, celebrate, and explore how music can amplify the voice of freedom. Visit the store, meet the avatars, and bring their stories to life with your students!
Dmitri Shostakovich - Born in 1906 in St. Petersburg (then Leningrad), Shostakovich became the leading Soviet symphonist, embedding subtle protests against oppression within bold, dramatic scores.
Facts in app:
His Symphony No. 5 (1937) outwardly pleased authorities, yet its haunting undertones signaled hidden dissent.
Shostakovich kept a packed suitcase by the door for years, fearing late-night arrest.
He secretly dedicated his String Quartet No. 8 to “victims of fascism and war”—including victims of Stalin’s terror.
He wrote music for over 30 Soviet films, often using those commissions to express ideas he couldn’t include in his concert works.
Check out this performance of Symphony No.5:
Schostakowitsch: 5. Sinfonie ∙ hr-Sinfonieorchester ∙ David Afkham - YouTube
Frédéric Chopin - Polish-born Chopin (1810–1849) spent most of his adult life in Paris exile, where his poetic piano works became symbols of yearning for an independent Poland.
Facts in app:
The “Heroic” Polonaise in A-flat Op. 53 carries rolling left-hand octaves that evoke marching troops.
Chopin secretly funded Polish resistance efforts while concertizing across Europe.
Many mazurkas quote rural dance rhythms, preserving Polish folk spirit for listeners abroad.
He asked for a handful of Polish soil to be buried with him in Paris, symbolizing his deep love for his homeland.
Check out this performance of Polonaise in A flat Major:
Seong-Jin Cho – Polonaise in A flat major Op. 53 (Prize-winners' Concert)
Pablo Casals - Catalan cellist and conductor Pablo Casals (1876–1973) refused to perform in countries that recognized Franco’s dictatorship, turning his artistry into a lifelong stand for peace and democracy.
Facts in app:
His signature encore was the Catalan folk song “El Cant dels Ocells” (Song of the Birds), dedicated to peace.
Casals halted public concerts for nearly two decades in protest against fascist Spain.
In 1958 he received the U.N. Peace Medal, declaring, “I am a Catalan,” to spotlight his homeland’s suppressed culture.
Casals was also a passionate composer; his Hymn to the United Nations was performed at the UN in 1971.
Check out this performance of El cant dels ocells:
Pau Casals - El cant dels ocells (at the White House) - YouTube
Chou Wen-chung - Born in China (1923) and later a U.S. citizen, Chou merged classical Western techniques with Chinese aesthetics, championing cultural exchange and artistic independence.
Facts in app:
His orchestral piece “Landscapes” paints Chinese ink-wash imagery with modern harmony.
At Columbia University he mentored dozens of Asian composers, fostering free artistic dialogue during the Cold War.
Chou co-founded the U.S.–China Arts Exchange Center, using music to bridge political divides.
He preserved and edited works by Chinese-American composer Edgard Varèse, furthering the legacy of cross-cultural innovation.
Check out this performance of Landscapes:
Chou Wen-chung: Landscapes (1949) - YouTube
Undine Smith Moore - Dubbed the “Dean of Black Women Composers,” Undine Smith Moore (1904–1989) combined spirituals with classical craft, writing music that uplifted African-American history and civil-rights ideals.
Facts in app:
Her 16-movement oratorio “Scenes from the Life of a Martyr” honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Moore co-founded the Black Music Center at Virginia State College to celebrate Black musical heritage.
She often wove call-and-response patterns into choral works, symbolizing community solidarity and freedom.
Moore believed music education should nurture creativity and critical thinking, not just technical skill.
Check out this performance of Scenes from the Life of a Martyr:
MOORE Scenes from the Life of a Martyr (Excerpt) - YouTube
Background Update
Some other fun additions
These all cheer the student on but also talk about tempo and other musical terms!
