About Music Education

Musical Friendships

2009-11-24T19:49:48Z

As we read about the lives of revered composers and the masterpieces they left behind, we also come to discover the lasting friendships they formed along the way. It's quite fascinating really, and touching at the same time, to learn more about these great composers and their friendships. For example, female composers Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel and Clara Wieck Schumann were friends, as were two of the most prominent composers in history; Franz Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

This Day in Music History: 1991 - Farookh Bulsara, famously known as Freddie Mercury, died in London. He was a musician, songwriter and the lead singer of the rock group Queen.

Musical Friendships originally appeared on About.com Music Education on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 at 19:49:48.

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Inspiring Musicians

2009-11-23T19:28:00Z

Are there days when you're frustrated with the way you play and feel like you're making very little progress? In times of self-doubt, remind yourself of the many musicians, composers and performers who overcame physical limitations and various obstacles. Here's a list of famous musicians and popular performers who are physically challenged, I hope this list inspires you to continue learning.

This Day in Music History: 1876 - Manuel de Falla was born in C�diz, Spain. He was a leading Spanish composer of the 20th century. During his early years, he went on tour as pianist of a theatre company and later, as a member of a trio. He was a member of the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de Granada and in 1925, became a member of the Hispanic Society of America.

Inspiring Musicians originally appeared on About.com Music Education on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 19:28:00.

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Music Prodigies

2009-11-22T22:32:47Z

Child prodigies are defined as children who possess unusual talents showing great mastery of a certain subject, art or skill. Usually, children no older than 11 years old who show extreme proficiency in certain adult-related fields are called prodigies. Today, scientists are still studying this mystery and trying to determine whether prodigies are a product of genetics or upbringing. I think we can safely say that it's a combination of nature and nurture.

This Day in Music History: 1900 - Arthur Sullivan died in London. He was a British conductor, teacher and composer who was especially known for his operettas. His successful collaborations with librettist William Schwenk Gilbert helped establish the English operetta. Gilbert and Sullivan's famous works are collectively known as the "Savoy Operas."

Music Prodigies originally appeared on About.com Music Education on Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 at 22:32:47.

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TV and Movie Personalities

2009-11-21T22:18:35Z

Did you know that actor/director/producer Clint Eastwood plays the piano or that the versatile Hollywood actress Meryl Streep plays the violin? Read on and discover who among your favorite TV and film personalities play a musical instrument.

This Day in Music History: 1695 - Henry Purcell died in London. He was one of the great composers of the Baroque period and one of the great English composers. He wrote among others, operas, incidental stage music, chamber music including suites and sonatas, church music and court music.

TV and Movie Personalities originally appeared on About.com Music Education on Saturday, November 21st, 2009 at 22:18:35.

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Famous People in Arts, Science and Sports

2009-11-20T11:31:09Z

Neil Armstrong was the first astronaut to walk on the moon, Albert Einstein won a Nobel Prize in 1921 and Oscar Robertson is considered by many as a basketball legend. They are brilliant inventors, scientists, writers and athletes, but what do they have in common?

This Day in Music History: 1827 - Edmond Dede was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was one of the famous Creole of color composers; a violin prodigy and Orchestra Conductor at the Alcazar Theatre where he served for 27 years.

Famous People in Arts, Science and Sports originally appeared on About.com Music Education on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 11:31:09.

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Political Figures Who Played a Musical Instrument

2009-11-19T11:10:57Z

There are many famous people in history who played a musical instrument but chose to pursue a career in politics. To this day, some of them continue to play a musical instrument, perhaps as a hobby. Here are several familiar names.

This Day in Music History: 1828 - Franz Schubert died in Vienna. He was referred to as the "master of song" of which he wrote more than 200 songs. He studied counterpoint, keyboard playing and singing under Michael Holzen. Schubert wrote hundreds of musical pieces, some of his well known work are: "Serenade," "Ave Maria," "Who is Sylvia?" and "C Major symphony."

Political Figures Who Played a Musical Instrument originally appeared on About.com Music Education on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 11:10:57.

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Historical Figures Who Played the Piano

2009-11-18T10:53:22Z

They are brilliant scientists, politicians and writers who have at least one thing in common - they all played the piano. This image gallery shows several historical figures who reportedly played the said instrument.

This Day in Music History: 1873 - The 22nd New York Regiment Band had their first concert. The band was formed by Patrick Sarsfield Gilmore, a bandleader, cornet soloist, songwriter, also known as the "Father of the American Band" and "Father of Military Bands."

Historical Figures Who Played the Piano originally appeared on About.com Music Education on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 10:53:22.

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Friendship Songs

2009-11-17T10:28:24Z

Countless friendship songs have been written over the years. The theme of friendship is one we all can relate to and never tire of listening to. Here are some timeless friendship songs and links to available music videos, sample lyrics and music sheets to purchase in case you'd like to learn how to play the songs on your instrument.

This Day in Music History: Heitor Villa-Lobos died in Rio de Janeiro. He was a prolific Brazilian composer, conductor, music educator and advocate of Brazilian music. His works reflected his country's music fused with influences from composers such as Stravinsky and the music of Eastern Europe. His etudes and preludes for the guitar remain popular to this day.

Friendship Songs originally appeared on About.com Music Education on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 10:28:24.

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The President's Hymn

2009-11-16T21:34:27Z

In 1863, a song was composed by William Augustus Muhlenberg and Joseph W. Turner to honor the new holiday established by President Abraham Lincoln. The song is called "The President's Hymn." Here's more information about the history and men behind "The President's Hymn" as well as links to the music sheet and lyrics of the said song.

This Day in Music History: 1895 - Paul Hindemith was born in Hanau, Germany. He was a German music theorist, teacher, string player and composer during the 20th century. He was the professor of composition at Berlin's Academy of Music from 1927 to 1937 and taught at Yale University from 1940 to 1955. Hindemith also received honorary doctorates from the University of Frankfurt, the Free University of Berlin and Oxford University.

The President's Hymn originally appeared on About.com Music Education on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 21:34:27.

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Thank You Songs

2009-11-15T20:06:50Z

The music of Thanksgiving is deep inside us; it is the beat of our hearts as we express our love for others, it is the smile we bestow and the helping hand we lend to people who need it most. May everyday be a day of thanks as we listen to several "thank you" songs from different artists.

This Day in Music History: 1787 - Christoph Willibald Gluck died in Vienna, Austria due to a stroke. He was a composer during the Classical period especially known for his operas and for reforming the operatic styles of that era. He came from a family of foresters but Gluck's true passion was music. When he was about 13 years old, he left home, perhaps to avoid the family profession. His most successful works include his "reform operas" with Ranieri Calzabigi, namely "Orfeo ed Euridice" and "Alceste."

Thank You Songs originally appeared on About.com Music Education on Sunday, November 15th, 2009 at 20:06:50.

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