This month we celebrate two highly influential composers of the first half of the 20th century: Aaron Copland (b. 11.14.1900) and Benjamin Britten (b. 11.22.1913). Both paved the way for creating sonorities that were later considered characteristic of their cultures (American and British, respectively). In addition, both of these composers wrote music that was accessible…
From as early as the Medieval Era, there have been compositions of music that sound spooky or creepy to our ears. Here are a few examples you can listen to in order to create that eerie ambience for Halloween! 1. Dies Irae: The Dies Irae is originally a Gregorian Chant from the early Medieval Era….
In most music lessons, we tend to concentrate on music of the Western tradition, classical being the main one. I would like to take the time to introduce you to some instruments and music styles of other countries/continents that you may have never heard of before. In this article we will explore the instruments of…
The month of October shares the birthdays of two of the most talented composers/performers to grace the world. Franz Liszt, born October 22, 1811 and Niccoló Paganini, born October 27, 1782 are known as virtuosos. A virtuoso is a musician whose talents are on a professional and seemingly other-worldly level. These gifted individuals break down…
Whether you play an instrument that requires no breath (ie. piano, violin) or one that does (ie. woodwinds, brass, voice), proper posture is the fundamental key to performing properly and in a healthy manner. Without proper posture, execution of phrases can become difficult, not to mention various health problems that may arise. Here are a…
From talking to many students recently it is evident that there are some holes in the education of the modern-day orchestra. The symphonic orchestra has it’s roots in the Baroque Era, was solidified in the Classical Era, grew even larger in the Romantic Era and essentially has stayed the same ever since. Here are a…
In this article we explore the question of whether or not being able to sing is a skill that can be learned or if it is a natural gift given to a select few. The process of learning to sing is much like learning a language; both from scientific and from anecdotal evidence you will…
As I get older and continue to teach younger generations of students, a slew of retrospective thoughts come into my mind. Here’s a list of things I wish I had done a little differently while I was younger. I can’t say I regret much in my music career, but I do wish to share these…
Students who practice at home generally excel faster and better than students who do not. However, at home practicing is sometimes hard to accomplish due to time management or just a lack of knowledge on how to properly practice. We asked some Center Stage parents to reveal their secrets on successful at home practicing. Here…
Going back to school each year requires preparation in the weeks before. Here are a couple of things to expect and to help you get ready if you are a music student or interested in becoming one. (This list starts at the third grade only because ensembles are limited in the grades prior to that….