Category Archives: Music History

Why Sight Reading is Important

Posted on August 27, 2013 by Marie

There is some debate between supporters of sight reading and supporters of learning by ear.  I support sight reading because, just like learning to read English, it allows for students to analyze and understand what they are playing. Reading music … Continue reading →

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Today in Music History, 1946

Posted on August 23, 2013 by Marie

Today in Music History, 1946: English musician Keith Moon is born in Wembley. He was best known as the drummer for the rock band The Who and was voted second greatest drummer in history by Rolling Stone readers. We remember … Continue reading →

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Happy Birthday, Musicians!

Posted on August 22, 2013 by Marie

If you are having a birthday today, you share it with some incredibly talented and influential musicians! Happy Birthday to: French Impressionist composer Claude Debussy, b. 1862,  wrote “Claire de lune” American guitarist Chuck Brown, b. 1936, known as the “Godfather … Continue reading →

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Today in Music History, 1935

Posted on August 21, 2013 by Marie

Today in music history, 1935: American clarinetist and band leader Benny Goodman begins the Swing Era  at the Palomar Ballroom in Los Angeles, CA. The nationwide radio broadcast brought swing music to every American of the generation, sustained what is known as … Continue reading →

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Today in Music History, 1882

Posted on August 20, 2013 by Marie

Today in Music History, 1882: Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky debuted “The Year 1812” (also known as “1812 Overture“), which depicts Napoleon’s retreat from Russia in 1812. The composition blares strains of the French national anthem “La Marseillaise” and the old … Continue reading →

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Today in Music History, 1977

Posted on August 16, 2013 by Marie

Today in music history, 1977: At the age of 42, American singer, Army veteran, and prominent cultural icon, Elvis Presley, met his demise in Graceland. We honor his musical accomplishments and extraordinary life with a most beloved hymn sung in … Continue reading →

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Today in Music History, 1939

Posted on August 15, 2013 by Marie

Today in music history, 1939: The Wizard of Oz premiers in Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Los Angeles, California. It was nominated for several Academy Awards; E.Y. Harburg and Harold Arlen won the Oscar for Best Song (“Over The Rainbow”) and … Continue reading →

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Today in Music History, 1644

Posted on August 12, 2013 by Marie

Today in music history, 1644: Baroque composer Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber was baptized in Wartenberg, Bohemia (now Stráž pod Ralskem, Czech Republic). He was a violinist and employed by the Bishop of Olomouc but later moved to Salzburg, Austria to … Continue reading →

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Today in Music History, 1963

Posted on August 9, 2013 by Marie

Today in music history, 1963: American singer Whitney Houston was born in New Jersey. She sold over 200 million records worldwide, including movie soundtracks, gospel, pop, and R&B, and was blessed with a four-octave singing range. Enjoy this video from … Continue reading →

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Today in Music History, 1995

Posted on August 9, 2013 by Marie

Today in music history, 1995, we mourned the loss of American musician Jerry Garcia, b. 1942. He was best known as the founder, lead guitarist, songwriter, and singer for the Grateful Dead. Garcia also participated in many side projects such … Continue reading →

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