The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra
Busy Kids Love Music
Welcome back to Busy Kids Love Music! In this episode, we continue our three-part series on the British composer Benjamin Britten. Today, we’re diving into one of his most exciting and educational pieces, The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra. This composition is beloved by music teachers and conductors alike for its engaging way of introducing listeners to the various sections of an orchestra. Benjamin Britten created The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra in 1946 to help kids learn about orchestral instruments. He based the main theme on a melody by composer Henry Purcell, and...
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The Life of Benjamin Britten
Busy Kids Love Music
Welcome to another episode of Busy Kids Love Music, your go-to podcast for introducing young listeners to the world of classical music! In today’s episode, we’re kicking off a new three-part series about one of the most celebrated British composers of the 20th century—Benjamin Britten. What We’ll Explore in this Episode: - Britten’s Early Life & Musical Beginnings: Born on November 22, 1913, in Suffolk, England—St. Cecilia’s Day, no less!—Britten was raised in a musically nurturing home. His mother, Edith, encouraged his early musical talents, and he took his first piano...
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The Phantom of the Opera
Busy Kids Love Music
Welcome to Episode 134 of Busy Kids Love Music! As we approach Halloween, we're diving into one of the most famous and captivating musical stories of all time: The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber. In this episode, you'll learn all about this beloved musical and the story behind it. What You'll Learn in This Episode: The backstory of The Phantom of the Opera,first written as a novel by Gaston Leroux in 1910. How Andrew Lloyd Webber was inspired to turn this haunting tale into a musical masterpiece. Key highlights from the musical, including the dramatic love story between the...
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The Music of Oktoberfest
Busy Kids Love Music
Welcome back to *Busy Kids Love Music*! In Episode 133, we’re taking a musical journey to one of the world’s most famous festivals – Oktoberfest! This traditional German celebration, which began over 200 years ago in Munich, Germany, has spread across the world, bringing with it lively music, dancing, and festive fun. What You'll Learn in This Episode: In this episode, we explore the vibrant music that fills the air at Oktoberfest, including: - Oom-pah Music: Learn about the traditional "oom-pah" bands, featuring the tuba, accordion, clarinet, and more, creating a festive rhythm...
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First Suite in E-flat for Military Band
Busy Kids Love Music
Welcome to the final episode of our three-part series on the extraordinary composer Gustav Holst! If you missed our earlier episodes where we explored Holst’s life and his famous orchestral suite The Planets, be sure to check out those episodes using the links below. In today’s episode, we dive into a different side of Holst’s musical genius—his First Suite in E-flat for Military Band. Composed in 1909, this suite quickly became a cornerstone of the wind band repertoire and showcases Holst’s love for British military music traditions. We’ll explore how Holst, a talented trombonist...
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The Planets
Busy Kids Love Music
Welcome back to Busy Kids Love Music! In this second episode of our three-part series on the incredible composer Gustav Holst, we're diving into one of his most famous and beloved works: The Planets. Whether you're a budding astronomer, a lover of mythology, or a homeschooling student learning about the solar system, this episode offers a fun and fascinating musical journey through the stars. In The Planets, Holst composed a suite of seven movements, each named after a different planet in our solar system and its corresponding astrological character. Holst’s fascination with astrology -- a...
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The Life of Gustav Holst
Busy Kids Love Music
Welcome to Busy Kids Love Music, the podcast for busy families and kids who love music and want to learn more about their favorite composers, instruments, and styles of music. I'm your host, Carly Seifert, the creator of , and today we are kicking off a special 3-part series on the life and music of the great composer, Gustav Holst. In this first episode, we’ll explore Holst's family life, his early interest in music, his musical training, and some of the unique characteristics that make his compositions stand out. Episode Highlights: - Early Life and Family Background: Gustav Holst was born...
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Folk Music of Greece
Busy Kids Love Music
Welcome to the final episode of our Around the World with Busy Kids Love Music series! Travel with me today as we explore the vibrant and historical folk music of Greece. This summer, we’ve traveled through Zambia, Fiji, Finland, and Argentina, learning about their rich musical traditions. If you missed any episodes, don’t worry – I’ve linked them all below. Grab your musical passport, and let's dive into the sounds of Greece! In This Episode: Greek Dimotiko Music: Discover the traditional rural music known as Dimotiko, which features songs about love, nature, history, and heroic...
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Folk Music of Argentina
Busy Kids Love Music
Welcome to Episode 128 of Busy Kids Love Music! I’m thrilled to bring you the 4th stop of our Around the World series, where we journey to different countries to explore their unique folk music traditions. Today, we immerse ourselves in the vibrant sounds of Argentina! In This Episode: Chacarera: Discover this lively folk style from rural Argentina, characterized by guitars, bombo drums, and energetic dance movements. Zamba: Experience the melancholic beauty of zamba, a slower genre with roots in indigenous and African music, featuring graceful dances with handkerchiefs. Tango: Learn...
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Folk Music of Fiji
Busy Kids Love Music
Welcome to Episode 127 of Busy Kids Love Music! I’m thrilled to have you join me as we continue our summer series, Around the World with Busy Kids Love Music. So far, we've explored the musical traditions of Zambia and Finland. If you missed those episodes, you can catch up by visiting the links below, where you can also print your passport stamps. In This Episode: Fiji's Musical Heritage: Explore the beautiful island nation of Fiji, known for its vibrant and deeply rooted folk music. Traditional Instruments: Lali Drum: Discover the resonant sounds of this long, wooden drum carved from a...
info_outlineWelcome back to Busy Kids Love Music! I'm thrilled to continue our Solar Eclipse series with Episode 120, where we'll explore the enchanting world of songs inspired by the moon.
🌙 **Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven:** We kick off our lunar journey with Beethoven's iconic "Moonlight Sonata". Discover the hauntingly beautiful melodies and the emotional depth that has captivated listeners for centuries.
🌙 **"Song to the Moon" from Rusalka by AntonĂn Dvořák:** Join me as we delve into the world of opera with Dvořák's mesmerizing aria, "Song to the Moon". Experience the longing and yearning of Rusalka as she sings to the moon, seeking solace and guidance in her quest for love.
🌙 **Clair de Lune by Debussy:** Next, we immerse ourselves in the dreamy soundscape of Debussy's "Clair de Lune". Lose yourself in the shimmering moonlight as Debussy paints a musical portrait of nocturnal beauty.
🌙 **"Lake in the Moonlight" from Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky:** Finally, we conclude our lunar journey with Tchaikovsky's ethereal "Lake in the Moonlight" from his beloved ballet Swan Lake. Lose yourself in the magical atmosphere as Odette dances under the moon's gentle glow.
Join me as we explore these enchanting pieces and discover the timeless allure of music inspired by the moon. Tune in to Episode 120 of Busy Kids Love Music and let the fun begin!
Links Mentioned in this Episode:
Episode 119: Songs Inspired by the Sun
Musical Samples You'll Hear in this Episode:
Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata (FULL)
Renee Fleming,@Dvorak - Song to the moon - Rusalka
Tchaikovsky - Lake in the Moonlight
Playlist for Episode 120
I've put together a curated playlist of the 4 pieces we learned about in today's episode so that you can hear them in their entirety.
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