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Composers and Their Mentors

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Get to know several noteworthy composers and the distinguished mentors who influenced them.

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TV and Movie Personalities

Saturday November 21, 2009

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.

Famous People in Arts, Science and Sports

Friday November 20, 2009

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.

Political Figures Who Played a Musical Instrument

Thursday November 19, 2009

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."

Historical Figures Who Played the Piano

Wednesday November 18, 2009

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."

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