MIRACLES AND LIGHT – YES, PLEASE!

By Amy Cassaniti November 20, 1973 was the date for the network TV premiere of A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. In the special, after attempting to prepare a non-traditional meal for his friends, Charlie Brown is finally able to invite his friends to come with him for Thanksgiving at his grandmother’s condo. The children end the episode singing the classic “Over the River and Through the Wood.” This classic song has been a staple of elementary Thanksgiving pageants since its

By Amy Cassaniti Many modern aficionados of classical music think that the musician, Yo-Yo Ma, is the GOAT (greatest of all time) cellist. Having played the cello since he was four years old, Ma has a repertoire that includes classical, traditional Chinese melodies, Argentinian tangos, Brazilian, contemporary, even American bluegrass. Throughout his career, Ma has demonstrated time and again the versatility of the cello and the versatility of his playing. Despite being the mo

By Amy Cassaniti November marks the birth month of The March King, John Philip Sousa. Sousa was a prolific composer. In his lifetime he composed 136 Marches and 11 Operettas. Sousa’s marches continue to be some of the most performed here in the U.S. and globally. But just what makes a great march? First and foremost is Meter. Marches are written in an even meter with a strongly accented first beat to assist in military marching. For example, each measure has two beats p

By Amy Cassaniti The March King. As anyone who has spent even one season in a marching band knows, the great crowd pleasers are any marches written by John Philip Sousa. Born November 6, 1854, John Philip Sousa began his music career studying the violin. As a young musician, Sousa thought he might fulfill the dream of many a young boy and run away to join the circus. Fortunately, in 1868, at the age of 14, Sousa’s father enlisted him in the United States Marine Band as an