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The Lesser-Known History of “Jingle Bells”
Explore the history of the iconic Christmas song "Jingle Bells," from its creation by James Lord Pierpont in 1850 to its evolution and various renditions by famous artists over the years.
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.
What Makes a Christmas Concerto a Christmas Concerto?
In this Chapman Challenge, Alan explains that a Christmas concerto is a type of concerto grosso from the Baroque period, characterized by a Pastorale movement.
John Carpenter, “Halloween” Composer for Hire
Renowned director John Carpenter discusses his journey from filmmaker to musician, his approach to scoring his own films, and his experience working on the Halloween series.
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 Secret Love Affair Hidden in Alban Berg’s “Lyric Suite”
Explore the hidden love story in Alban Berg's Lyric Suite. Discover how Berg used musical references, initials, and numerology to encode his affair with Hanna Fuchs-Robettin.
Chapman Challenge: The Story Behind Handel’s “Messiah”
In this Chapman Challenge, Alan discusses Handel's journey with oratorios, from his first encounter in Italy to his profitable English oratorios, culminating in the creation of Messiah.
“Trio”: Three Upcoming NorCal Events We Think You’ll Enjoy Each Week
Explore upcoming events in the Bay Area this week.
Your Playlist for Hangin’ in the Hammock
Explore Rik Malone's recommended playlist for a perfect California summer experience. From relaxing hammock tunes to music that transports you to distant places, enjoy your summer with these iconic pieces.
The Story Behind “The Star-Spangled Banner”
One of this year's more surprising news stories was around the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, named for the famed poet whose words became the lyrics of our national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
7 Pieces to Commemorate Juneteenth
Celebrate Juneteenth with Lara Downes as she takes you on a musical journey, featuring works from renowned composers like Jessie Montgomery, Florence Price, and Scott Joplin.
A Conversation with Sara Davis Buechner
Classical California's Maggie Clennon Reberg interviews pianist Sara Davis Buechner on her musical journey, experiences as a trans woman in classical music, and love for baseball.
Celebrating Classical Music with Pride!
Celebrating Pride month, this article highlights the contributions of LGBTQ+ composers in classical music, including Handel, Tchaikovsky, Angela Morley, Billy Strayhorn, Wendy Carlos, and Rufus Wainwright.
