Music Education Blog

This Yuletide season as we go about checking off our Christmas gift list, putting up our trees and decorating our homes, there are those who are not as fortunate. May this season of giving extend not only to our family and friends, but to those who are facing hardships in life. Check out these organizations that help bring the spirit of Christmas through the power of music.

Also read:

• Helping the Victims of Hurricane Sandy

This Day in Music History: 1883 - Anton Webern was born in Vienna, Austria. He was a composer, conductor and arranger belonging to the 12-tone Viennese school. Aside from piano, Webern also played the cello. He studied musicology at the University of Vienna and later became a student of Arnold Schoenberg.

^{Photo by Creative Crop/Getty Images}

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, so here are some songs that beautifully encapsulates the essence of this upcoming occasion. I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for visiting the About.Com Music Education Web site. I'm very grateful for all the years you've shared with me and appreciate all your blog comments, email messages and forum posts. Thank you also for subscribing to my newsletter and following me on Twitter. I have learned a lot from our interactions and wish each and everyone one of you all the best.

Also read

• Thanksgiving Music Resources
• The President's Hymn

This Day in Music History: On this day in 1786, composer/critic Carl Maria von Weber was born in Eutin, near Lubeck (Germany). Also on this day in 1873, the 22nd New York Regiment Band, formed by bandleader Patrick Sarsfield Gilmore, had their first concert. And on this day in 1889, pianist/composer Teresa Carreño performed with the Berlin Philharmonic.

^{Photo by Sanja Gjenero}

The trumpet is one of the main instruments in the brass section of an orchestra. Trumpets are also used in jazz bands. This popular, brilliant-sounding instrument is recommended for students 10 years old and above. It is easy to transport and not as expensive as other instruments. Here are some tips if you're thinking of buying your first trumpet.

Also read:

• Profile of the Trumpet
• Types of Trumpets
• Parts of A Trumpet
• History of the Trumpet
• Trumpet Lessons and Resources
• The Story behind the Photo

This Day in Music History: On this day in 1868, composer Gioachino Rossini died in Passy, near Paris, France. Also on this day in 1915, composer Heitor Villa-Lobos' concert in Rio de Janeiro was well-received.

^{Photo Courtesy of Anne Marie Godden}

I was first introduced to the flutophone as part of my daughter's Kindergarten music curriculum. Flutophones are good pre-band instruments for young children; it's lightweight, easy to play and very affordable. Here's more information on the flutophone.

Also read:

• Bagpipe
• Bassoon
• Contrabassoon
• Harmonica
• Oboe
• Recorder

This Day in Music History: 1995 - The Wizard Of Oz was staged for charity at Lincoln Center in New York. Among the casts are Jewel playing the role of Dorothy, Jackson Browne as The Scarecrow, Roger Daltrey as the Tin Man and Nathan Lane as the Cowardly Lion.

^{Photo © Espie Estrella, licensed to About.com, Inc.}

Hurricane Sandy has left in its wake death, unimaginable destruction, displacement and catastrophic flooding. It is during devastating moments like these when we must all come together and lend a helping hand. Music organizations such as Music for Relief are very active in their efforts to offer disaster relief to the victims. Establishments such as RadioShack reportedly donated $50,000 to the Red Cross. Music personalities such as Mariah Carey and Justin Bieber have expressed their sympathy on social networking sites. Every bit of help counts, here's how you can contribute.

This Day in Music History: 1959 - Singer-songwriter Ray Charles moved from Atlantic Records to ABC Paramount. He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1982 and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. He also received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1986 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993.

No matter how old I get, there's a particular music piece that still gives me chills whenever I hear it, and that's "Night on Bald Mountain" by Modest Mussorgsky. The said piece was included in Disney's Fantasia, but I specifically remember it as the soundtrack of the horror film Asylum. That final scene where Dr. Starr, aka Martin, laughs and the music plays at the end of the movie still creeps me out. Here are a few more spine-tingling Classical music you may be familiar with.

Also read:

• The Scariest Film Scores Ever Written
• The Most Memorable Music Themes
• Horror Film Music Composers
• Influential Composers Who Died Young
• What is the 27 Club?
• The Day the Music Died

This Day in Music History: 1970 - James Taylor's LP "Fire and Rain" was certified gold. He worked with guitarist Kortchmar and pianist Carole King on his second album Sweet Baby James which. among others, featured the song "Fire and Rain."

The saxophone is another single-reed woodwind instrument that can be prominently seen in a symphony orchestra. This instrument has a rich history and through the years various types have been created, each varying in size and tone color. Generally, a student model alto saxophone is recommended for beginners. Here's a buying guide for those of you interested in the saxophone.

Also read:

• Profile of the Saxophone
• Saxophone History
• Types of Saxophones
• Parts of the Saxophone

This Day in Music History: 1958 - Buddy Holly made his last major TV appearance, singing "It's So Easy" and "Heartbeat" on ABC's American Bandstand.

^{Photo Courtesy of Greek Golangco}

A popular single-reed woodwind instrument is the clarinet. This instrument has an interesting history as it has undergone many changes through the years. The clarinet was used by famous Classical composers such as Brahms, but it's also used in jazz music. This instrument has many different types, so if you're interested in playing the clarinet, here's a few tips to keep in mind.

Also read:

• History of the Clarinet
• Profile of the Clarinet
• Types of Clarinets
• Clarinet Lessons and Resources

This Day in Music History: 1838 - Composer Georges Bizet was born in Paris, France. He came from a musically-inclined family. His father taught singing and his mother was a pianist.

^{Photo Courtesy of Ronnie Bergeron from Morgue Files}

Flutes belong to the woodwind family of instruments as it used to be made of wood. However by the 20th century, flutes made of metal became more popular., Flutes along with piccolos are among the highest range woodwind instruments in a symphony orchestra. The flute is a versatile, beautiful-sounding instrument; it is also not too hard on the budget compared to other instruments and is quite easy to transport. Here are some tips if you're thinking of buying a flute.

Also read:

• Profile of the Flute
• Types of Flutes
• Parts of the Flute
• Cleaning Your Flute
• Assembling Your Flute
• Flute Care Tips

This Day in Music History: 1979 - Music educator/conductor Nadia Boulanger died in Paris. Aside from Aaron Copland, some of her well-known students were Philip Glass, Qunicy Jones, Marc Blitzstein, Elliott Carter and Virgil Thomson.

^{Photo Courtesy of Marjolijn Curiere}

Another plucked string instrument that is played with or without a pick is the guitar. Guitars are quite popular and is very versatile. For beginners it is advisable to start with acoustic guitars with nylon strings. Here is a buying guide for those who are interested in playing the guitar.

Also read:

• Profile of the Guitar
• Parts of an Acoustic Guitar
• Guitar for Beginners
• About.Com's Guitar site

This Day in Music History: 1990 - Composer Leonard Bernstein died in New York. His "Mass" was performed in 1971 during the opening of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

^{Photo Courtesy of Rhonda Parkinson}