After you use your flute and before you store it, you must always remember to clean or dry it. This is because when you blow into the flute, moisture forms inside which can cause the pads to deteriorate. Here are some tips on how to clean your flute properly.

Music Education in the News: Is there a connection between food and music? Read this article by Paul Horsley of The Kansas City Star.

This Day in Music History: 1910 - Mezzo-soprano Pauline Viardot died in Paris.

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Unlike other musical instruments which you can pick up and start playing immediately, the flute needs to be assembled before you use it and disassembled when not in use. Most flute players know how to do this, but not all know how to do it correctly so as not to damage the instrument. Here are some helpful tips on the proper way to assemble your flute.

Music Education in the News: Plano Senior High School in Texas won an award from the Grammy Foundation for its excellent music education programs.

This Day in Music History: 1918 - Swedish soprano Birgit Nilsson was born.

Music can be very powerful; it makes any occasion unforgettable. Think about it, when you hear a particular song chances are it will remind you of a special moment in your life. To celebrate graduation day, here are several songs to make it truly momentous.

Music Education in the News: Looking for a school that will foster your child's love of music? Here's the complete list of the "Best Communities for Music Education in America" from the NAMM website.

This Day in Music History: 1987 - U2's ""With or Without You" topped the charts for 3 weeks.

The constantly changing world of musical instrument making makes it difficult to keep up with the latest models. With flutes for example, there are a number of companies that specializes on manufacturing flutes and each year new models are introduced to the market. That's why asking for recommendations from flute teachers, experts and flutists will help you in your search for the brand/model that will best suit your needs. If you play the flute or are thinking of buying one, either as a first instrument or an upgrade, please take the time to answer our newest poll.

Music Education in the News: The Honolulu Symphony received a generous gift worth $1.175 million from an unnamed donor.

This Day in Music History: 1567 - Composer Claudio Monteverdi was born in Cremona.

With the vast array of flute brands and models in the market today, finding one that will best suit the needs of a beginner flutist can be a daunting task. This article will help narrow down your choices by listing flute brands and specific models that are often recommended for beginners.

Music Education in the News: Honda's popular humanoid robot, Asimo, has recently made its music debut by conducting the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

This Day in Music History: 1942 - Composer Frank Churchill died in Newhall, California.

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The flute belongs to the wind family of musical instruments. It is of ancient origin and was first made of wood. Now, however, the flute is made of silver and other metals. There are two types of methods used in playing the flute: side-blown or end-blown. Generally, a closed-hole silver-plated flute with a C footjoint is recommended for student beginners. Here are some guidelines when buying your first flute.

Music Education in the News: Carlisle Floyd, Richard Gaddes, James Levine and Leontyne Price are the first recipents of the National Endowment for the Arts' Opera Honors awards.

This Day in Music History: 1950 - Stevie Wonder, American singer/songwriter and musician, was born.

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Putumayo Kids has done it again, this time adding a fourth album under their well-received "Dreamland" series. "African Dreamland" features 11 songs that calms and soothes the mind.

Music Education in the News: 12-year old Peter Moore is the youngest recipient of the BBC Young Musician of the Year award.

This Day in Music History: 1845 - Composer Gabriel Fauré was born in Pamiers, France.

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Also referred to as "The Queen of the Blues," Dinah Washington was a well-known vocalist of the mid-20th century. Her versatile vocal ability enabled her to record songs in various genres; from blues to jazz to pop. She was married seven times and has two sons.

Music Education in the News: After 31 years, classical-music critic Melinda Bargreen bids goodbye to The Seattle Times.

This Day in Music History: 1888 - Songwriter Irving Berlin was born.

The road to success didn't come easy for Connie Francis. At the beginning of her career, she recorded and released several singles that went unnoticed. It was her 1958 hit song titled "Who's Sorry Now" that propelled her to stardom. She married 4 times and has a son named Joey with her third husband Joseph Garzilli.

Music Education in the News: Music teacher Nicole Greggs is a recipient of the 2008 Arts Teacher of the Year Award.

This Day in Music History: 1865 - "Quasimodo Symphony" by composer Edmond Dede was performed at the Orleans Theater.

Vivian Fine was a piano prodigy who entered Chicago Musical College when she was merely 5 years old. Considered one of the most celebrated women composers of her time, she wrote over 100 compositions throughout the course of her productive career. She married Benjamin Karp, a sculptor, in 1935. Their first daughter, Margaret, was born in 1942.

Music Education in the News: Albena Danailova has been appointed as concertmaster by the Wiener Staatsoper.

This Day in Music History: 1949 - Singer-songwriter Billy Joel was born in Bronx, New York.