April Showers
Busy Kids Love Music
"April showers bring May flowers!" This common saying reminds us that rainy days lead to beautiful spring blooms. In this episode of Busy Kids Love Music, we’re exploring three classical pieces that capture the sound and feeling of rain. From gentle drizzles to powerful storms, these composers found incredible ways to bring rain to life through music. 🎵 Music Featured in This Episode: 1️⃣ "Raindrop" Prelude – Frédéric Chopin Listen for the repeating note that sounds like steady raindrops. Did you know Chopin may have been inspired by a real rainstorm while staying at an old...
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Sonata Form
Busy Kids Love Music
Hi friends! Have you ever wondered what makes a sonata different from other pieces of music? In today’s episode, we’re diving into the world of sonatas—one of the most important forms in classical music! You’ll learn: ✅ What the word "sonata" means and where it comes from ✅ How composers like Mozart, Beethoven, and Haydn used a special structure called sonata form ✅ How to listen for the exposition, development, and recapitulation in famous sonatas 🎧 We’ll explore examples from Mozart’s “Easy Sonata,” Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata,” and more! Listen closely and...
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Turlough O’Carolan
Busy Kids Love Music
Happy (almost) St. Patrick’s Day! 🍀 In this episode of Busy Kids Love Music, we’re traveling back in time to explore the life and music of one of Ireland’s most beloved composers—Turlough O’Carolan. Known for blending traditional Irish melodies with European Baroque influences, O’Carolan created music that is still performed and loved today. 🎵 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ Who was Turlough O’Carolan, and how did he become a traveling harpist? ✅ What are planxties, and why did O’Carolan compose them? ✅ How did he blend Irish folk music with Baroque elements...
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Thomas "Blind Tom" Wiggins
Busy Kids Love Music
In this special Black History Month episode of Busy Kids Love Music, we explore the life and legacy of the extraordinary musician and composer, Blind Tom Wiggins. Born into slavery in 1849, Blind Tom overcame immense challenges, including blindness and exploitation, to become one of the most celebrated musical prodigies of the 19th century. Join me as we delve into his remarkable story, his unique musical talent, and his enduring contributions to American music. Learn about his compositions, including his dramatic retelling of a Civil War battle in "The Battle of Manassas," and discover how...
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Porgy and Bess
Busy Kids Love Music
Hi friends, and welcome back to Busy Kids Love Music! This week, we conclude our three-part series on the brilliant composer George Gershwin with a look at his opera masterpiece, Porgy and Bess. What You’ll Hear in This Episode: Background on Porgy and Bess: Learn how Gershwin, his brother Ira, and DuBose Heyward collaborated to create this groundbreaking "folk opera" that premiered in 1935. The Story: Explore the opera’s plot, centered on the struggles and resilience of a close-knit African American community in Catfish Row, Charleston. Unforgettable Music: Enjoy excerpts from iconic...
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Rhapsody in Blue
Busy Kids Love Music
Welcome to Busy Kids Love Music! In today’s episode, we continue our series on the remarkable George Gershwin, focusing on one of his most famous works, Rhapsody in Blue. Discover the story behind this iconic piece, learn what makes it unique, and hear why it’s considered a groundbreaking moment in American music history. What You'll Learn in This Episode: The Inspiration: Learn how a train ride and a tight deadline led to the creation of Rhapsody in Blue. The Title: Explore the meaning behind the title and how the piece captures the spirit of America. The Music: Dive into Gershwin’s...
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The Life of George Gershwin
Busy Kids Love Music
Welcome back to Busy Kids Love Music! In today’s episode, we kick off a brand-new series all about one of America’s most beloved composers, George Gershwin. From his humble beginnings in Brooklyn to his rise as a composer who seamlessly blended jazz and classical styles, Gershwin’s life and music continue to captivate audiences of all ages. 🎹 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Gershwin’s early life and how he discovered his passion for music. How his unique style merged jazz and classical traditions. His collaborations with his brother, Ira Gershwin, and their unforgettable hits...
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The Music of New Year's Parades
Busy Kids Love Music
Welcome to this special New Year’s Eve episode of Busy Kids Love Music! Today, we’re diving into the world of New Year’s Day Parade Music. From Pasadena’s iconic Rose Parade to the lively streets of London, you’ll discover how music brings these celebrations to life. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Rose Parade Highlights The role of marching bands in this historic Pasadena tradition. Traditional parade tunes like “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” and “Strike Up the Band”. London New Year’s Day Parade The international mix of British and American bands....
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A Closer Look at 3 (more!) Christmas Carols
Busy Kids Love Music
In this festive episode of Busy Kids Love Music, we'll explore the stories behind three classic Christmas carols: “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “The First Noel,” and “Silent Night.” Each carol has a rich history and has been cherished across generations for its beauty and meaning. What We Cover in This Episode: Angels We Have Heard on High Originated as the French carol “Les Anges dans nos campagnes.” Features the famous “Gloria” refrain with its joyful melisma. Believed to have roots in 18th-century French shepherd songs. The First Noel Traditional English carol from...
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A Ceremony of Carols
Busy Kids Love Music
In this final episode of our Benjamin Britten series, we dive into one of his most cherished works for the holiday season, A Ceremony of Carols. Join me as we explore the origin story behind this iconic piece, its medieval poetry inspiration, and Britten’s unique use of harp and treble voices to create its enchanting sound. What You'll Learn in This Episode: The story of how A Ceremony of Carols was inspired during Britten's voyage across the Atlantic Ocean in 1942. How Britten’s love for medieval English poetry shaped this beautiful holiday collection. The musical styles and contrasts...
info_outlineWelcome 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 then used variations and a lively fugue to let each section of the orchestra shine. Join us as we explore the sounds of woodwinds, brass, strings, and percussion, learning how each contributes to the orchestra’s full and layered sound.
In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:
- Britten’s commitment to composing for young performers
- How he used Henry Purcell’s theme to introduce listeners to the orchestra
- What a “variation” is and how it changes a theme in small but creative ways
- The unique sounds of each orchestra section: woodwinds, brass, strings, and percussion
- How Britten uses a “fugue” to bring all the instruments together at the end
Music Excerpts Featured:
Benjamin Britten - The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra
Listen & Learn:
If you’d like to hear The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra in its entirety, I've linked a full performance here.
Next Episode:
In our next episode, airing in December, we’ll explore Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols, a beautiful Christmastime piece featuring a children’s choir and a harp. Don’t miss it!
Thank You for Listening!
Thank you for joining us today! Tune in again in two weeks as we continue discovering the magical world of classical music with our series on Benjamin Britten.
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