Vol. 3 Issue No. 8
April, 2017
Lifelong Listeners Newsletter

Patriot's Day is a holiday that celebrates local heroes. The holiday was originally created to commemorate the revolutionary heroes of Lexington and Concord. However, following the tragic marathon bombings in 2013, this day also serves as a reminder of the strength, talents, and resilience of local people in and around Boston. This month, we will celebrate Patriot's Day by learning about some of Boston's musical heroes: composers who lived and/or worked in Boston. We can trace Boston's musical history all the way back to colonial times and it is still going strong today!  Happy Patriot's Day and Happy Listening!

 

Music 101        
Music 101 News!

 

4/30 (Sun.), 4 P.M. - Performance Class This month's class will be hosted by guitarist Felipe Pinto d'Aguiar. Join us to hear Felipe perform, learn about his music, and play a piece of your own. A great way to practice for the upcoming recitals! 

  

Enrichment Classes! Have you attended your free class yet? Sign-up forms are now available for our spring session of enrichment classes. These great classes are the perfect compliment to private lessons. Covering everything from famous composers to scales and chords to how to deal with stage fright, these classes help students develop the skills they need to become well-rounded musicians. Some classes are FREE while others remain at a low cost. Don't miss your final opportunity this school year to get the most out of your Music 101 experience. 
Live Concerts!
(Use this section with Listener Worksheet #1 and Listener Worksheet #2) 
  
*This symbol indicates that Music 101 faculty will perform in this event 
  
*4/9 (Sun.), 11 A.M. - Josh Garvey in Concert (Boston or Online) See Music 101 faculty member Josh Garvey sing in this concert of musical theater selections by Jewish composers. The concert is at First Church in Boston in place of their usual Sunday service (66 Marlborough Street, Boston 02116). Can't get down to Boston? No problem! Listen to a live audio stream of the concert here.  
 
4/9 (Sun.), 3 P.M. - Beethoven Society (Melrose) Join the Beethoven Society for an afternoon of opera arias and duets. This concert is FREE and open to the public. A free will offering at the door will support the society's scholarship fund for students pursuing musical studies in college. Concert Location: Melrose Highlands Congregational Church (355 Franklin Street). 
  
*4/22 (Sat.), 7:30 P.M. - Orchestra of Indian Hill (Littleton) See Music 101's Jenny Herzig perform with the orchestra. This concert offers a chance to hear a violin soloist performing all 4 of Vivaldi's Four Seasons concertos as well as other great music! 
  
5/6 (Sat.), 8 P.M. - Melrose Symphony (Melrose) Your final chance to see Melrose symphony this season! This pops concert will include selections from Broadway musicals and poplar movies. Best of all, Music 101 students get 50% off tickets! Just use coupon code "music101" at online checkout. 
Listen Online!
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(Use this section with Listener Worksheet #1 and Listener Worksheet #2)
  
William Billings: "Chester" (Artist Unknown) This revolutionary war hymn was written by Boston native, William Billings. It is part of a larger book of music that Billings wrote called the New England Psalm Singer. This book was the first book of music written completely by an American composer. Billings was a huge supporter of the American revolution. In fact, he waited over a year to publish it so that he could print it only on paper made in the colonies. He didn't want any part of the book to support the English. This song became the unofficial hymn of the American revolution. 
  
Amy Beach: "A Hummingbird" (Jessica Xylina Osborne, piano)  Amy Beach was born in New Hampshire and lived most of her life in Boston. Although she struggled with the stereotypes about women in her time period, she was one of the most successful American composers of her time. She was counted among the prestigious "Second New England School" of composers. Several of her pieces were premiered by elite Boston orchestras including the Boston Symphony. She was also an outstanding pianist, as you can hear in this very descriptive piece.
   
Leonard Bernstein "Mambo from West Side Story" (Gustavo Dudamel and the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra) Although known as the music director of the New York Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein actually grew up in the Boston area and studied music at Harvard University. Bernstein was inspired by all sorts of music, including jazz and dance music. You can hear those influences in this piece, which actually accompanies a dance scene in Bernstein's famous musical  West Side Story.  
  
John Adams "Lollapalooza" (Berlin Philharmonic) In spite of sharing a name with a revolutionary war patriot and being from the Boston area, John Adams is actually quite contemporary. He is still alive and creating music today. He obviously had fun while creating this piece. Listen for the trombones actually saying the word "Lollapalooza" with music.
  
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones "Next" Boston composers aren't just limited to classical music. Banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck started his musical career in Boston. He has actually written classical music, but he also writes other styles. Here he is playing his bluegrass and jazz fusion music with his band "The Flecktones". The strange-looking instrument on the right side is called a drumitar. It mixes different electronic sounds.  
In This Issue
Composers & Artists
(Use this section with Listener Worksheet #3)
  
  
  
  
  
Other Links
(Use this section with Listener Worksheet #4)
  
How to Earn Listener Points!
You can earn Listener Points by exploring this newsletter! Here is how:

 

1) Download Listener Worksheets from our website or pick up copies at the studio. 

 

2) Go to a concert!  See our "Live Concerts" section for ideas. Turn in your program for 10 points.  Turn in Listener Worksheet #1 or Listener Worksheet #2
about something you heard for 10 additional points. 

 

3) Listen online!  Listen to one of the videos in the "Listen Online" section and turn in Listener Worksheet #1 or Listener Worksheet #2 for 10 points.

4) Click on a link in the "Composers & Artists" section. Turn in Listener Worksheet #3   for 10 points.
  
5) Click on a link in the "Other Links" section.  Turn in Listener Worksheet #4 for 10 points.
 
6) Look up any music topic that interests you.  Turn in Listener Worksheet #5 for 10 points.

 Have a question? Email Jenny Herzig at [email protected]