Blog

  • Happy 250th Beethoven!

    This year marks 250 years since Ludwig van Beethoven's birth. Celebrations around the world will pay tribute to this pioneer of not only the piano, but also large symphonic works.  Beethoven was also the pioneer of strong emotion in music - he took listeners from the very predictable and structured Classical Era of music - into the emotional wor...
  • The Harp Music of Ireland

    Harp music is known to have existed in Ireland from as early as the year 1000 AD. The harp, the simple wire-strung type we see on the Irish National Emblem, was an integral part of Irish society in Medieval times.  From 1100-1600, different groups of invaders brought with them many different types of harps. Naturally, harp music evolved and incr...
  • Learn About The Music of John Williams

    Without a doubt, the most prolific composer of the Modern Era is John Williams. This legendary film score composer has written music for over 100 films and won five Academy Awards. You might not know that he also wrote music for television (Gilligan's Island), musicals (Fiddler on the Roof), and four Olympic games. And... of course you know the ...
  • Women Composers: Teresa Carreño

    Teresa Carreño was one of the most important women composers of the Romantic Era. She was also an accomplished conductor and pianist. To celebrate Women's History month and women composers at ALL times of the year, use these resources to teach your children about this famous Venezuelan musician.
  • Learn About Aaron Copland

    A pioneer of American Modern-Era music was Aaron Copland. Copland used traditional American themes and stylized them into a unique brand of American "classical" music. A study of Aaron Copland is the perfect introduction to the Modern Era of music. Copland's new and inventive style of music depicts the vast American landscape of the early-mid 1...
  • The Classical Era of Music

    Classical Music (with a capital C) is defined as music composed specifically between the years of 1750-1820. The era falls between the Baroque and Romantic eras and is characterized by elegant, stylized forms. If you hear music spoken about in more general terms - "classical" music can then be any music that is in opposition to pop or folk music...