Successful Careers from Mediocre Beginnings

Many famous and successful people, including musicians and composers, abound in our present day society. But many of these highly-thought-of, very accomplished people were not as famous and successful in their early lives as they became later. Many people who we admire and esteem today had very mediocre career beginnings. It is surprising to note …

Classics to Pop

Many of us find ourselves humming or singing a favorite tune or other songs we know while driving or in the shower. But how many of us think about how or where the song came from?  We may or may not know the composer, but is the song their original material or did it come …

The President’s Own: The United States Marine Band

The oldest musical organization in the history of American Military music is the United States Marine Band. It is also the oldest professional musical organization in the country. It was created in 1798 by an act of Congress and signed by President John Adams. Adams invited the band to play at the Executive Mansion. It …

Bluegrass Anyone?

If you have heard or been exposed to bluegrass music, you most likely responded viscerally in one way or another. It is a toe-tapping, hand-clapping, body-moving, head-nodding brand of exciting, American music. It is almost impossible not to get physically involved with this art form. “Bluegrass music has a way of creeping into your soul …

Music Industry Jobs

The myriad jobs in the music industry is growing by leaps and bounds and too numerous to go into great detail here. However, here are a few jobs that may spark an interest in this fast growing field. Mix Engineer A mixer takes individual instrumental and/or vocal tracks and combines them. He assembles tracks and …

Stille Nacht – Silent Night – “The Song Heard ‘round the World” – William Egan

’Tis the season! This is the sacred time of year when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus and one of the most popular songs of the season, Silent Night, is played and sung around the world. Secular happenings abound in this season. Shopping probably tops the list, much to the dismay of many who condemn …

Perfect or Absolute Pitch – What is it?

In music, pitch is the location of a note related to its highness or lowness and assigned a name like A, B, C, D, E, F and G on the piano keyboard. Many of us have heard of “perfect pitch” or have known someone who claims to possess this inherited ability or skill. “Having perfect …

The Golden Age of Radio

Every radio program began with a musical theme… Remember radio? If you or perhaps your parents were growing up in the 40’s and 50’s then an important part of your life was spent listening to countless hours of exciting and original entertainment on the radio. Almost all of my boyhood heroes appeared on radio shows. …

Music in Our Schools: Don’t let your kids miss out!

Is your child in a school music program? If he or she is, parents and students alike know the value, enjoyment and learning they are experiencing in their school years. If your son or daughter hasn’t thought about taking a music class why don’t you bring up the subject and investigate the possibilities and rewards …

The Great American Musical

A significant and truly wonderful aspect of the entertainment scene in America is the American Musical Theater. Gifted and creative composers and lyricists have created many memorable shows over decades bringing joy, excitement, fantasy and the love of music to millions. Dating back many centuries, even before Christ, the musical drama or musical theater was …

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