MTMS Blog
-
April Theme
The theme for April is ballads. A ballad is a form of verse, often but not always set to music. This art form is usually a narrative, telling a story. Ballads may have begun in France, from the chanson balladée or ballade. They were also very common in Britain and Ireland, and spread through Europe, the…
-
Musical Birthdays in Late March
16 March 1663 Nicolas Siret, French baroque composer and organist16 March 1745 Johann Wilhelm Cornelius von Konigslow, German composer1823 William Henry Monk, English composer and organist (Eventide)16 March 1885 Giacomo Benvenuti, Italian composer16 March 1919 Ernő Király, Yugoslavian composer and ethnomusicologist16 March 1936 Fred Neil [Morlock], American songwriter, folk singer, guitarist (Everybody’s Talkin’; Candy Man), and conservationist (Dolphin Project)16 March…
-
Vivaldi and Happy Spring!
The first day of spring is here. It may not feel like it quite yet, but warmer days are coming. Antonio Vivaldi’s best known works are the Four Seasons, a group of four violin concertos that each gives expression to one season of the year. Spring is linked below. These seasonal concertos represent flowing creeks,…
-
Traditional Irish Music
St. Patrick’s Day is this week, so here’s a bit of history about Irish music. It began as an oral tradition to be passed from one generation to the next. This practice of listening, learning by ear, and not writing tunes down is still encouraged. Traditional instruments include the Irish harp, which is believed to…
-
Musical Birthdays in Early March
Have a birthday in early March? You might share it with one or more of these musical people. While this is by no means an exhaustive list, feel free to check out someone new to you. Music is meant to be shared, and not just what’s on your current playlist. 1 March 1904 Glenn Miller…