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 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 Busy Kids Do Piano, 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 on September 21, 1874, in Cheltenham, England, into a musical family. His father, Adolph von Holst, was a professional musician, and his mother, Clara, was a singer and pianist. Sadly, Clara passed away when Gustav was just eight years old.
- Musical Training: Holst received his first piano lessons from his father and also learned to play the violin and trombone. Despite health issues such as severe asthma, neuritis, and eyesight problems, Holst's passion for music never waned. He began composing at the age of twelve.
- Royal College of Music: Holst faced initial rejection but eventually gained admission to the Royal College of Music in London in 1893. There, he studied composition with Sir Charles Villiers Stanford and formed a lifelong friendship with fellow composer Ralph Vaughan Williams.
- Family Life: In 1901, Holst married Isobel Harrison, a soprano and former student. They had a daughter, Imogen Holst, who became a respected composer, conductor, and musicologist. The Holst family was close-knit, providing Gustav with inspiration and support.
- Musical Influences and Style: Holst incorporated various influences into his compositions, including English folk music and Indian music. His innovative harmonies and complex rhythms gave his music a distinctive sound. He was also interested in astrology, which inspired his famous suite, "The Planets."
I hope you enjoy learning about the life of Gustav Holst. In our next episode, we’ll dive deeper into some of his most famous works, including "The Planets." Be sure to tune in and discover the magic of Holst’s music.
Musical Samples You'll Hear in this Episode:
Gustav Holst - Two Pieces for Piano, H. 179 (1930-32)
Playlist for Episode 130
I've curated a playlist on YouTube of the pieces you heard in today's episode as well as additional famous works by Gustav Holst. Check it out here.
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