Musicology for Everyone
American popular music

Now running on Broadway: musicals

I grew up on musicals. My sibs and I used to sing selections from Broadway and Off-Broadway shows in the car when we were on trips. When we get together, we still sing the same songs. All of them have children, at least three of whom have had parts in …Read the Rest

An old oddity: the contrabass trombone
Trombone and other brass

An old oddity: the contrabass trombone

// Trombones come in several sizes. Tenor and bass trombone are the most common. Orchestral trombonists frequently use alto trombones. …Read the Rest

Les Préludes, by Franz Liszt
Program notes

Les Préludes, by Franz Liszt

Les Préludes, d’après Lamartine is the third symphonic poem that Franz Liszt composed, the first to be performed, and the …Read the Rest

A Wisconsin band in the Civil War: 1st Brigade Band of Brodhead
Civil War music

A Wisconsin band in the Civil War: 1st Brigade Band of Brodhead

When the Civil War started, the two sides suddenly required armies, and army regiments needed bands. I have already written …Read the Rest

Annie and Evita: two Broadway revivals
American popular music

Annie and Evita: two Broadway revivals

Two classic musicals, Annie (1977-1983) and Evita (1979-1983), return to Broadway this season. Since their original Broadway runs, both musicals …Read the Rest

The enraged neighbor, or, trombones don’t get no respect
Trombone and other brass

The enraged neighbor, or, trombones don’t get no respect

“The downstairs neighbors must have had quite a party last night. It almost sounded like someone was pounding on the …Read the Rest

Quotations on sound and silence
Quotations

Quotations on sound and silence

A music appreciation textbook I used to use defined music as sound and silence, organized in time. That’s an awfully …Read the Rest

George Frederick Root’s Civil War Songs
Civil War music

George Frederick Root’s Civil War Songs

Chicago was the musical capital of the North when it came to production of great Civil War songs. The firm …Read the Rest

Tchaikovsky’s early symphonies
Program notes

Tchaikovsky’s early symphonies

Peter Tchaikovsky’s last three symphonies have such a firm place in the repertoire that perhaps no one misses the first …Read the Rest

America’s top ten musical Presidents
American popular music

America’s top ten musical Presidents

The current presidential election has already outstayed its welcome well before the primaries are even over. Perhaps I can offer …Read the Rest

Trombone ensembles: a brief history
Trombone and other brass

Trombone ensembles: a brief history

he trombone has been primarily an ensemble instrument from the beginning. It found its first use in the bands sponsored …Read the Rest

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