Category Archives: music theory

During the many years when I was actively composing concert (i.e. classical) music, I made it a practice of reading biographies of composers and becoming acquainted with their compositions. I did this by listening to recordings, looking at musical scores … Continue reading →

Despite the fact that Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II collaborated on many songs, only one of their Broadway shows has continued to maintain its lasting popularity.  Showboat premiered in 1927 and is still performed today more than 80 years … Continue reading →

Some songs are just plain fun to play. I Won’t Dance is a great example of this. The easiest way for you to understand what I mean is to think of the feeling you get from watching a romantic comedy. … Continue reading →

In addition to Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (featured in my 6-22-10 post), Jerome Kern composed Yesterdays with lyricist/librettist Otto Harbach (1873-1963) for the 1933 operetta Roberta. As we found in the former standard, these collaborators created a song that … Continue reading →

When I was a student at Stepinac High School in White Plains, NY, my exposure to music increased tremendously due to my participation in the Glee Club. What a wonderful way for your sons and daughters to enjoy the thrill … Continue reading →