About.com Music Education

The United States Navy Band

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:31:15 +0000

Known as "The World's Finest," the United States Navy Band was founded in March 4, 1925 under the leadership of Lt. Charles Benter. The band supports various music education programs such as "Music in Our Schools" and the "International Saxophone Symposium." The United States Navy Band has a very long and interesting history. To this day, they continue to promote patriotism through music, maintain musical heritage and support government officials and military personnel through their performances, public concerts and recordings. The band has several different music groups that perform specific repertoires: the Navy Band Ceremonial Unit, "Commodores," "Sea Chanters" chorus, "Country Current" country-bluegrass group, "Cruisers" contemporary music ensemble and the Navy Band Chamber Music Division.

This Day in Music History: 1854 - John Philip Sousa was born in Washington, DC. Popularly called "The March King," John Philip Sousa's patriotism resonates from the numerous marches he wrote throughout his career. He was an American composer of marches, conductor, performer and bandleader. His most famous work is the "Stars and Stripes Forever," known as the official march of the United States.

The United States Navy Band originally appeared on About.com Music Education on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 04:31:15.

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Henry Mancini

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:32:05 +0000

Enrico Nicola Mancini was an American composer, arranger and conductor especially noted for his television and film scores. In all he won 20 Grammys, 4 Academy Awards and 2 Emmys. He wrote scores for over 80 films including "Breakfast at Tiffany's." Did you know that Mancini studied at the Juilliard School of Music? However, his studies were cut short when he was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Force.

This Day in Music History: 1988 - "Kokomo," one of the Beach Boys' well-loved songs, topped the charts. This song was written by Mike Love, Scott McKenzie, Terry Melcher and John Phillips. The song was recorded and released in 1988 and became a hit. The lyrics of the song mentions several vacation spots, most notably a place called Kokomo.

Henry Mancini originally appeared on About.com Music Education on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 03:32:05.

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Irving Berlin

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:11:51 +0000

Irving Berlin was a gifted songwriter who wrote over 1,000 songs in various genres; from ballads to dance tunes. It was in 1911 with his song "Alexander's Ragtime Band" that he became well-known. The song sold over a million copies and became a huge influence on American pop music. Aside from unforgettable oldies such as "Cheek to Cheek" and "Puttin' on the Ritz," Berlin also wrote "God Bless America" for which he received a Congressional Gold Medal.

This Day in Music History: 1847 - Felix Mendelssohn died after suffering from a stroke. He was a prolific composer of the Romantic period, a piano and violin virtuoso. Some of his most notable compositions are "A Midsummer Night's Dream Opus 21," "Italian Symphony" and "Wedding March."

Irving Berlin originally appeared on About.com Music Education on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 09:11:51.

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George Gershwin

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:59:27 +0000

George Gershwin was one of the prominent composers and songwriters of the 20th century. He composed scores for Broadway musicals and wrote some of the most memorable songs of our time, including "I've Got a Crush on You," "I Got Rhythm" and "Someone to Watch Over Me." Gershwin wrote over a thousand songs and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970.

This Day in Music History: 1972 - James Taylor married singer/songwriter Carly Simon. His distinctive voice, his personal style of playing the guitar and his touching songs are but some of the reasons why James Taylor is one of the artists who continue to inspire many singer/songwriters of today. With songs like "Fire and Rain" and "You've Got A Friend" under his belt, James Taylor enjoys career longevity that other musicians aspire for.

George Gershwin originally appeared on About.com Music Education on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 21:59:27.

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Leonard Bernstein

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:27:45 +0000

Leonard Bernstein was an American composer of classical and popular music, a music educator, conductor, songwriter and pianist. He studied at two of the finest educational institutions in the U.S., namely Harvard University and Curtis Institute of Music. Bernstein became the musical director and conductor of the New York Philharmonic and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1972. One of his most famous work is the musical "West Side Story." With lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, "West Side Story" was loosely based on Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet."

This Day in Music History: 1887 - Jenny Lind, a soprano, passed away. She was referred to as the "Swedish Nightingale." Her first major performance was in 1838 in the role of Agathe in Carl Maria von Weber's Der Freisch�tz. She made her American debut on September 11, 1850 at the Castle Garden Theatre in New York City.

Leonard Bernstein originally appeared on About.com Music Education on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 21:27:45.

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Richard Charles Rodgers

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 03:05:22 +0000

Richard Rodgers is known for his musical comedies and his successful collaborations with librettists Lorenz Hart and Oscar Hammerstein II. His collaborations with Hart produced around 1,000 songs including "With a Song in My Heart," "The Lady Is a Tramp," "Pal Joey," "Blue Moon," "My Funny Valentine" and "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered." When Hart died in 1943, Rodgers began working with Oscar Hammerstein II. The Rodgers and Hammerstein tandem resulted in several successful works including "Oklahoma!" and "South Pacific" which both won a Pulitzer Prize.

This Day in Music History: 1959 - Ray Charles signed up with the ABC-Paramount Records label. He was an American singer, composer and pianist who became blind at the age of 7 due to glaucoma. He went on to become one of the most celebrated performers in history; winning dozens of Grammy awards along the way. He was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Jazz Hall of Fame.

Richard Charles Rodgers originally appeared on About.com Music Education on Sunday, November 1st, 2009 at 03:05:22.

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Schools Offering Jazz Courses

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 02:45:38 +0000

If you're thinking of taking jazz courses or want to pursue a degree in jazz music, there are several music schools in the U.S. that will help you achieve this goal.

Boston's Berklee College of Music - Offers a Bachelor's degree in jazz composition.

Eastman School of Music - Offers a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music degree in jazz studies.

Jacobs School of Music - Offers a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music degree in jazz studies.

Juilliard School - Offers a degree in jazz studies.

Manhattan School of Music - Offers Bachelor and Masters degree in jazz music.

New England Conservatory of Music - Offers Bachelor and Graduate degrees in jazz studies.

Peabody Institute - Offers various degree programs including Bachelor of Music in Jazz.

Halloween Poll: In the words of the Crypt Keeper; "Hello, Boils and Ghouls." It's Halloween and to celebrate this day, I invite you to vote on our poll. Let us know which horror/suspense film, in your opinion, has the best music score. You can choose more than one answer. Or, if you don't see a movie you like from the list, just leave a comment below. Happy Halloween!

Schools Offering Jazz Courses originally appeared on About.com Music Education on Saturday, October 31st, 2009 at 02:45:38.

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Jazz Instruments

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:19:26 +0000

Different styles of music calls for different types of musical instruments. Take a look at some of the world's most famous artists playing commonly used instruments in jazz music.

This Day in Music History: 1992 - Bob Dylan released his album Good As I Been To You. Dylan has influenced countless singer/songwriters, musicians and performers during the course of his illustrious career. His songs reveal influences from a wide range of genres including blues, R&B, pop, country and rock n' roll. Songs he wrote include "Blowin' in the Wind," "Like a Rolling Stone" and "Knockin' on Heaven's Door."

Jazz Instruments originally appeared on About.com Music Education on Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 02:19:26.

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Influential Jazz Performers

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:51:04 +0000

Jazz is a type of music that uses improvisation, simple to complex syncopated rhythms and altered scales There are other forms of music that developed from jazz including bebop, blues, ragtime, rhythm and blues and swing. Here are profiles of influential jazz and blues musicians and vocalists.

This Day in Music History: 1973 - Duane Allman of The Allman Brothers Band, was killed due to a motorbike accident.

Influential Jazz Performers originally appeared on About.com Music Education on Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 01:51:04.

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20th Century Composers

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:44:02 +0000

During the 20th century there were many innovations on how music was, created, performed and appreciated. Composers were more willing to experiment on new music forms and used technology to enhance their compositions. To learn more about the music of this period, check out these profiles of 20th century composers.

Music Education in the News: "Music Crossing Borders" is a New York based ensemble whose purpose is to introduce children to world music and further educate them on the merits of music education. The said ensemble aims to provide interactive assemblies in schools, community and religious organizations around NYC and the tri-state area. "Music Crossing Borders" also hopes to take this endeavor to other parts of the globe and has been invited to perform at a Kenyan orphanage through Flying Kites Global. They are currently seeking pledges in order to meet this goal. More information about this cause and how you can help is available on this page.

This Day in Music History: 1956 - Elvis Presley's song, "Love Me Tender," was a #1 Billboard Pop Hit.

20th Century Composers originally appeared on About.com Music Education on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 22:44:02.

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