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Saturday Morning CarTunes: The Trombone
Saturday Morning CarTunes: The Tuba
The Tuba on Saturday Morning CarTunes!
Chapman Challenge: The History of Handbells
In this Chapman Challenge, Alan explains the history of handbells, their transition from bell tower practice tools to melody instruments, and how melodies are divided among ringers in a handbell choir.
Why Don’t Trombones Have Valves Like Trumpets?
In this Chapman Challenge, Alan Chapman explains why trombones use slides instead of valves like trumpets, tracing back to their 15th-century ancestor, the sackbut.
Cabrillo Festival Ends with Marsalis Concert
The Cabrillo Festival concludes with two works by jazz composer Wynton Marsalis, including a violin concerto performed by Nicola Benedetti, who collaborated closely with Marsalis during its creation.
Don’t Underestimate the Tuba
Explore the depth and range of the tuba beyond its stereotype as an "oom-pah machine". This article highlights five orchestral pieces that showcase the tuba's versatility.
The French Horn
The French Horn is the gentle giant of the orchestra… a musical shapeshifter morphing into so many different characters and moods.
10 More Composers With Latin American Roots You Should Know
Explore the lives and works of ten influential female composers from Latin America, spanning various genres and periods, from opera to electronic music.
10 Composers From Across Latin America We’re Celebrating This Month!
Explore the rich heritage of Hispanic music through these 10 influential composers, from Teresa Carreño to Gabriela Ortiz.
Chapman Challenge: What’s the Spookiest Instrument?
In this Chapman Challenge, Alan discusses the spookiest instruments in honor of Halloween, highlighting the eerie sounds of the theremin and the scary potential of violins.
The Story Behind “Appalachian Spring,” the Ballet
Explore the history of Appalachian Spring, a ballet commissioned by Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge, composed by Aaron Copland, and choreographed by Martha Graham.
Fanny Mendelssohn Finally Gets Her Due
Fanny Mendelssohn's lost masterpiece, misattributed to her brother for 150 years, is finally recognized as hers, shedding light on her overlooked musical talent.
Bolero, Obsession, and the Brain
"Unraveling Bolero" artist Anne Adams and composer Maurice Ravel's shared experience with progressive aphasia is explored at a San Francisco symposium on arts and brain science.