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Classical Classroom There's a rumor going around that classical music is hoity toity. At Classical Classroom, we beg to differ. Come learn with classical music newbie Dacia Clay and the music experts she invites into the Classical Classroom. This podcast is produced in partnership with Classical KING FM.
Classical Classroom

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Classical Classroom

Classical Classroom

From Houston Public Media News 88.7

There's a rumor going around that classical music is hoity toity. At Classical Classroom, we beg to differ. Come learn with classical music newbie Dacia Clay and the music experts she invites into the Classical Classroom. This podcast is produced in partnership with Classical KING FM.

Most Recent Episodes

Classical Classroom, Episode 203: Jason Vieaux and Jonathan Leshnoff, Musical Frontiersmen

Jason Vieaux is not just a Grammy-winning classical guitarist - he's a pioneer, taking on new works that have never been performed or recorded before, like those of composer Jonathan Leshnoff. Leshnoff is an adventurer, too, writing virtuosic material for instruments he's never played, like the guitar. Find out how these fearless frontiersman find the fortitude to forge foreign... uh...how they make and play brand new stuff. The end. Special thanks to Todd Reynolds for his music, Taskforce: Farmlab from Outerbourough.

Classical Classroom, Episode 203: Jason Vieaux and Jonathan Leshnoff, Musical Frontiersmen

Listen · 23:54

Classical Classroom, Ep 137: Summer Music – Music Academy Of The West! The Second Nature O...

In our second annual Classical Classroom Summer Music Festival Series, we hit the (sound)waves at the Music Academy of the West in sunny Santa Barbara, California! The third installment of our MAW series features composer, conductor, and pianist, Matthew Aucoin. Aucoin is a resident at that Music Academy of the West, and a sort of serial residentialist elsewhere (like the Peabody Essex Museum and soon, the Los Angeles Opera). He talks about what a "residency" is, and how it informs a composer's creative process; plus, he gives us a sample of what he's been busy creating while at the Music Academy. Music in this episode: Selections from Matthew Aucoin's Second Nature, performed at the Music Academy of the West Audio production by Todd "The Bartered Todd" Hulslander with pirouettes by Dacia Clay and assistance from Mark DiClaudio. Thanks to the Music Academy for their help with this series, and special thanks to Kate Oberjat (oh-bur-yacht) without whom this series simply would not. Special thanks to Todd Reynolds for his music, Taskforce: Farmlab from Outerbourough.

Classical Classroom, Ep 137: Summer Music – Music Academy Of The West! The Second Nature O...

Listen · 24:59

Classical Classroom, Episode 202: It Was All New Music Once, with Richard Scerbo and David...

There's a reason that great works in classical music have stuck around for so long. Once upon a time, it was all music composed by groundbreaking artists, churning out new sounds and ideas never heard before. But at some point, it's like someone somewhere decided that the canon was complete. Why? In this episode, National Orchestral Institute director Richard Scerbo and recent GRAMMY nominee/past winner David Alan Miller (Albany Symphony Music Director) talk about the groundbreaking composers of the past and present. Music in this episode: Special thanks to Todd Reynolds for his music, Taskforce: Farmlab from Outerbourough.

Classical Classroom, Episode 202: It Was All New Music Once, with Richard Scerbo and David...

Listen · 40:26

Classical Classroom, Episode 75: The Democracy of Chamber Music with Cantus (Rerun)

One of the distinguishing characteristics of chamber music is its inherent "democracy" – each part is of equal importance. Aaron Humble and Paul Rudoi of the Cantus Vocal Ensemble explain how it works when everyone involved in making the music is a special snowflake. Audio production by Todd "Sir Toddsalot" Hulslander with unflagging devotion to somethingerother by Dacia Clay. Music in this episode, all by Cantus: From A Harvest Home – "My Journey Yours" "How Can I Keep from Singing?" "The Pasture" "Fiddle Tune" "Eventide" From On the Shoulders of Giants: "Zikr"

Classical Classroom, Episode 75: The Democracy of Chamber Music with Cantus (Rerun)

Listen · 31:41

Classical Classroom, Episode 201: Practicing Rachmaninoff in Public with Tiffany Poon

There's a good chance that you've heard of Yale School of Music grad student and rising classical pianist, Tiffany Poon. Her YouTube vlogs have over 11 million views. In them, she talks casually with fans as she travels to gigs and invites them into the practice room. Her openness about her musical life and process has tapped into something for which fans are hungry. In this episode, Tiffany talks about Rachmaninoff 3 and about the community she created by prepping publicly for a performance of the piece. Music in this show:

Classical Classroom, Episode 201: Practicing Rachmaninoff in Public with Tiffany Poon

Listen · 37:02

Classical Classroom, Episode 84: JoAnn Falletta Shares Scheherazade (Rerun)

JoAnn Falletta is celebrating her 20th anniversary as Music Director of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, so we've gotta give her a shout out with this old gold from the Classroom vault! By the way, did you know that a 2014 survey found that in a list of the 150 top conductors in the world, only five were women? New episode topic? --------- Who was Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and why does he have two last names? And why would a 19th century Russian composer write a symphonic poem based on a collection of West and South Asian folk tales written in Arabic in the 16th century? What does it all mean?? Most* of these questions and more are all answered within by Buffalo Philharmonic/Virginia Symphony Orchestra conductor, guitarist, music advocate, and all around amazing lady, JoAnn Falletta. Music in this episode from the Buffalo Philharmonic's recording of Rimsky-Korsakov's "Sheherazade," conducted by JoAnn Falletta. Audio production by Todd "Twister" Hulslander with high kicks by Dacia Clay and editing by Mark DiClaudio.

Classical Classroom, Episode 84: JoAnn Falletta Shares Scheherazade (Rerun)

Listen · 35:35

Classical Classroom, Episode 200: Top 10 Countdown!

It's been nearly six years since we started the Classical Classroom podcast in a small shed that also housed producer Todd's lawn mower. Since then, a lot has happened. We've learned so much from our amazing guests, traveled to music festivals, had parties and game show quizzes, talked to the dead, had trumpet lessons, and we moved into a storage unit behind KING FM in Seattle. Todd also got a new lawn mower. In this episode, we'll revisit some of our favorite moments from the last 200 episodes and hear from some friends of the show along the way. Join us, won't you?

Field Trip to the Opera: Carmen in 3D

When you think of opera, words like "grandiose," "extravagant," and "whoa" come to mind. Those words all describe Georges Bizet's Carmen. Singing, dancing, costumes, sets, orchestras, fight scenes, wigs, drama! How on Earth does something with so many moving parts even get to the stage? Much less, successfully and entertainingly?! We wanted to know. And as it happens, the Seattle Opera was staging Carmen right down the street. So, we went on a field trip to see the show and - because we're us - badgered the cast and crew about their parts in bringing this magnificent beast of an opera to life. Learn all about the story - the one the audience sees and the one behind the stage - in this special Classical Classroom/Seattle Opera Podcast crossover episode. All music in this episode from Seattle Opera's performances of Carmen. P.S., The Seattle Opera is performing Carmen from May 4 - 19, 2019! Learn yet more about it (and hear more podcasts about it).

Classical Classroom, Episode 16: From Schubert to Gaga, the Unfinished Symphony with Jade ...

We love celebrating our alumni here at Classical Classroom, and Jade Simmons is one of our faves. This episode is from way back in 2013 when Jade was merely a very successful woman. Now, she's the host of iTunes #1 music podcast, Decomposed. A podcast rock star. We couldn't be more stoked for her. And we're kind of riding on her coattails by posting this rerun. Just a little. -------------- Artists as entrepreneurs, Lady Gaga, horror movies, and Schubert! In this episode, concert pianist, author, lecturer, Huffington Post contributor, and probable superhero, Jade Simmons chats with Dacia about how Schubert's "Unfinished" Symphony changed her life. Audio production by Todd "ToHu" Hulslander with knowing winks of encouragement from Dacia Clay. Music from this episode includes: Schubert, Symphony, No. 8 in B minor D.759, aka the "Unfinished Symphony"

Classical Classroom, Episode 16: From Schubert to Gaga, the Unfinished Symphony with Jade ...

Listen · 32:16

Classical Classroom, Episode 89: Awadagin Pratt on Brahms, Brunge, and Beards (Rerun)

We're rerunning this episode with Awadagin Pratt basically because we felt like it. But we don't think you're going to mind, as he is awesome. Let his dulcet tones wash over you as Pratt teaches you all about why Brahms is one of the Big Daddies of classical music, what it has to do with Edith Bunker, and how the beard made it all possible. All music in this episode from Awadagin Pratt and Zuill Bailey's CD "Brahms Works For Cello And Piano". Audio production by Todd "Are You There Todd? It's Me, Dacia" Hulslander with Tiger Eyes by Dacia Clay and editing by Mark DiClaudio. Special thanks to Todd Reynolds for his music, Taskforce: Farmlab from Outerbourough.

Classical Classroom, Episode 89: Awadagin Pratt on Brahms, Brunge, and Beards (Rerun)

Listen · 37:16

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