Articles on Music
  • Perfect pitch (“absolute pitch”) is the capability of certain people to hear a note, without any harmonic context, and correctly identify its pitch. Scientists are not certain how perfect pitch is developed, but there is a general consensus that it is a mixture of genetics and early-aged exposure/training.1January 11, 2011

    Perfect Pitch: Recognizing Notes Out of Thin Air

    Perfect pitch (“absolute pitch”) is the capability of certain people to hear a note, without any harmonic context, and correctly identify its pitch. Scientists are not certain how perfect pitch is developed, but there is a general consensus that it is a mixture of genetics and early-aged exposure/training.

  • An investigation into the meaning of Britten’s song cycle for tenor and chamber orchestra "Nocturne" from his use of key, tonality, chromaticism, rhythm, instrumentation and accompaniment figuration, and setting of poetry.3November 20, 2010

    Benjamin Britten’s “Nocturne” Part 1 – Introduction

    An investigation into the meaning of Britten’s song cycle for tenor and chamber orchestra “Nocturne” from his use of key, tonality, chromaticism, rhythm, instrumentation and accompaniment figuration, and setting of poetry.

  • For many teens who study music the question eventually comes up: should I major in music in college? The answer to this question is not easy. Ultimately, it will require some personal soul-searching along with plenty of counsel from the student’s teachers and parents. It requires an analysis of whether the student is well suited—in musical skill, work ethic and determination—for studying music in college and, most importantly, what realistic life and career goals that course of study will serve. If big these questions are answered satisfactorily, majoring in music can not only be a very rewarding collegiate experience, but the opening to a world of both future satisfaction and financial stability.2August 7, 2010

    Making the Decision to Major in Music in College

    For many teens who study music the question eventually comes up: should I major in music in college? The answer to this question is not easy. Ultimately, it will require some personal soul-searching along with plenty of counsel from the student’s teachers and parents. It requires an analysis of whether the student is well suited—in musical skill, work ethic and determination—for studying music in college and, most importantly, what realistic life and career goals that course of study will serve. If big these questions are answered satisfactorily, majoring in music can not only be a very rewarding collegiate experience, but the opening to a world of both future satisfaction and financial stability.

  • Giving children voice lessons can be a safe and rewarding experience, provided it is done right. It can prevent them from damaging their voices and prepare them for a lifetime of high quality singing.0August 4, 2010

    How to Teach Children to Sing

    Giving children voice lessons can be a safe and rewarding experience, provided it is done right. It can prevent them from damaging their voices and prepare them for a lifetime of high quality singing.

  • Though many eventually traveled and lived all over Europe, the castrati were almost exclusively Italian with the large majority originating from the Papal States, Naples, Sicily, Tuscany, and Lombardy. It is estimated that during the 18th century as many as 4000 boys were castrated a year. Even into the rise of bel canto opera castrati were trained primarily for careers as church singers and very few ever strayed far from that profession.2July 13, 2010

    The Castrati (Part 1): Origin of the Castrati

    Though many eventually traveled and lived all over Europe, the castrati were almost exclusively Italian with the large majority originating from the Papal States, Naples, Sicily, Tuscany, and Lombardy. It is estimated that during the 18th century as many as 4000 boys were castrated a year. Even into the rise of bel canto opera castrati were trained primarily for careers as church singers and very few ever strayed far from that profession.

  • Years of scientific studies are proving what many of us have known all along: Music education makes smarter, more successful students that grow up to be more productive adults.5June 12, 2010

    Studies Showing the Benefits of Music Education

    Years of scientific studies are proving what many of us have known all along: Music education makes smarter, more successful students that grow up to be more productive adults.

  • Music education is vital in teaching our children the knowledge and abilities they need in order to be balanced and productive members of society. For its many tangible benefits, music should be maintained and promoted as an essential component of elementary and secondary education.12June 12, 2010

    The Importance of Music Education in Public Schools

    Music education is vital in teaching our children the knowledge and abilities they need in order to be balanced and productive members of society. For its many tangible benefits, music should be maintained and promoted as an essential component of elementary and secondary education.

  • The foundations of the bel canto method and style were laid during the creation of opera and monody solo singing in the late 16th century. As the new art form developed, virtuoso singers emerged on the international scene with almost inhuman agility...3June 12, 2010

    Bel Canto Singing: Tosi’s “Observations on the Florid Song”

    The foundations of the bel canto method and style were laid during the creation of opera and monody solo singing in the late 16th century. As the new art form developed, virtuoso singers emerged on the international scene with almost inhuman agility…

  • "Classical” singing as we know it today owes much of its technique and style to the “old Italian school,” developed during the 17th and 18th centuries. The greatest singers and teachers of this tradition (including Porpora, Tosi and much later, the Lampertis) relayed the accumulated wisdom...0June 12, 2010

    Updating Bel Canto: J.F. Botume’s “Modern Singing Methods”

    “Classical” singing as we know it today owes much of its technique and style to the “old Italian school,” developed during the 17th and 18th centuries. The greatest singers and teachers of this tradition (including Porpora, Tosi and much later, the Lampertis) relayed the accumulated wisdom…

  • Giovanni Lamperti and his father Francesco carried on the illustrious banner of the “old Italian School” of voice training through the 19th century. While the method was perhaps uncomfortably short on scientific analysis for a modern, industrial world it was long on histories of success...1June 12, 2010

    The Old Italian School of Singing: Lamperti’s “The Technics of Bel Canto”

    Giovanni Lamperti and his father Francesco carried on the illustrious banner of the “old Italian School” of voice training through the 19th century. While the method was perhaps uncomfortably short on scientific analysis for a modern, industrial world it was long on histories of success…