Welcome back to Around the World with Busy Kids Love Music ! In today’s episode, we journey to the eastern side of Asia to explore the rich folk music traditions of South Korea . From heartfelt folk songs to energetic drumming ensembles, Korean traditional music—known as gugak —is a vibrant part of the country’s culture and history. Join me as we explore: 🎶 Minyo – Traditional Korean folk songs passed down through generations 🎤 Arirang – One of Korea’s most beloved and historic songs 🎭 Pansor...
Jul 01, 2025•9 min•Ep. 153
In this episode of our Around the World summer series, we’re traveling to Ukraine , a country with a deep love of singing, a powerful history, and some truly fascinating folk instruments! Join me as we: Discover the meaning of folk music and why it matters. Learn about Ukraine’s journey to independence and how music has helped preserve its culture. Explore the beautiful three-part harmonies often sung a cappella by Ukrainian choirs. Hear traditional instruments like: Bandura – a harp-like instru...
Jun 17, 2025•7 min•Ep. 152
Welcome to a brand new season of our summer series, Around the World with Busy Kids Love Music! Every 2 weeks this summer, we’re visiting a different country to explore its folk music traditions—and today, we’re heading to the Horn of Africa to discover the rich and unique sounds of Ethiopia ! In this episode, you’ll learn: What makes Ethiopian music sound so different from Western music The special musical scales called qignit (including the Tizita scale) The fascinating traditional instruments...
Jun 03, 2025•7 min•Ep. 151
As we approach Memorial Day in the United States, this episode honors one of the most poignant and powerful pieces of American music — Taps . Although this bugle call is only 24 notes long, it carries deep meaning and emotion, used to honor those who have served and sacrificed in the military. In this episode, you and your young listeners will: Discover the origins of Taps during the Civil War. Learn about the bugle and how it was used to signal soldiers throughout the day. Hear different perfor...
May 20, 2025•6 min•Ep. 150
Welcome back to Busy Kids Love Music ! In today’s episode, we’re celebrating the blossoming beauty of spring with classical music inspired by flowers ! This episode is the perfect follow-up to our April Showers adventure, and it’s all about music that captures the feeling of blooming gardens, delicate petals, and peaceful springtime scenes. 🌸 Here’s what we’re listening to today: Waltz of the Flowers by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – A graceful dance from The Nutcracker ballet that brings a garden ...
May 06, 2025•9 min•Ep. 149
Happy Earth Day! Today, we’re celebrating our beautiful planet the best way we know how—through music! 🎶 For centuries, composers have found inspiration in nature, and in this episode, we’re exploring three stunning pieces that bring the sounds of the Earth to life. 🎼 Featured Music: Beethoven’s "Pastoral Symphony" – A joyful musical journey through the countryside, filled with singing birds, flowing streams, and even a thunderstorm! Smetana’s "The Moldau" – A breathtaking piece that follows t...
Apr 22, 2025•8 min•Ep. 148
"April showers bring May flowers!" This common saying reminds us that rainy days lead to beautiful spring blooms. In this episode of Busy Kids Love Music , we’re exploring three classical pieces that capture the sound and feeling of rain. From gentle drizzles to powerful storms, these composers found incredible ways to bring rain to life through music. 🎵 Music Featured in This Episode: 1️⃣ "Raindrop" Prelude – Frédéric Chopin Listen for the repeating note that sounds like steady raindrops. Did ...
Apr 08, 2025•7 min
Hi friends! Have you ever wondered what makes a sonata different from other pieces of music? In today’s episode, we’re diving into the world of sonatas —one of the most important forms in classical music! You’ll learn: ✅ What the word "sonata" means and where it comes from ✅ How composers like Mozart, Beethoven, and Haydn used a special structure called sonata form ✅ How to listen for the exposition, development, and recapitulation in famous sonatas 🎧 We’ll explore examples from Mozart’s “Easy ...
Mar 25, 2025•8 min•Ep. 146
Happy (almost) St. Patrick’s Day! 🍀 In this episode of Busy Kids Love Music , we’re traveling back in time to explore the life and music of one of Ireland’s most beloved composers— Turlough O’Carolan . Known for blending traditional Irish melodies with European Baroque influences , O’Carolan created music that is still performed and loved today. 🎵 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ Who was Turlough O’Carolan , and how did he become a traveling harpist? ✅ What are planxties , and why did O’Ca...
Mar 11, 2025•7 min•Ep. 145
In this special Black History Month episode of Busy Kids Love Music , we explore the life and legacy of the extraordinary musician and composer, Blind Tom Wiggins. Born into slavery in 1849, Blind Tom overcame immense challenges, including blindness and exploitation, to become one of the most celebrated musical prodigies of the 19th century. Join me as we delve into his remarkable story, his unique musical talent, and his enduring contributions to American music. Learn about his compositions, in...
Feb 25, 2025•7 min•Ep. 144
Hi friends, and welcome back to Busy Kids Love Music ! This week, we conclude our three-part series on the brilliant composer George Gershwin with a look at his opera masterpiece, Porgy and Bess . What You’ll Hear in This Episode: Background on Porgy and Bess : Learn how Gershwin, his brother Ira, and DuBose Heyward collaborated to create this groundbreaking "folk opera" that premiered in 1935. The Story : Explore the opera’s plot, centered on the struggles and resilience of a close-knit African...
Feb 11, 2025•7 min•Ep. 143
Welcome to Busy Kids Love Music! In today’s episode, we continue our series on the remarkable George Gershwin, focusing on one of his most famous works, Rhapsody in Blue . Discover the story behind this iconic piece, learn what makes it unique, and hear why it’s considered a groundbreaking moment in American music history. What You'll Learn in This Episode: The Inspiration: Learn how a train ride and a tight deadline led to the creation of Rhapsody in Blue . The Title: Explore the meaning behind...
Jan 28, 2025•7 min•Ep. 142
Welcome back to Busy Kids Love Music ! In today’s episode, we kick off a brand-new series all about one of America’s most beloved composers, George Gershwin. From his humble beginnings in Brooklyn to his rise as a composer who seamlessly blended jazz and classical styles, Gershwin’s life and music continue to captivate audiences of all ages. 🎹 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Gershwin’s early life and how he discovered his passion for music. How his unique style merged jazz and classical trad...
Jan 14, 2025•9 min•Ep. 141
Welcome to this special New Year’s Eve episode of Busy Kids Love Music ! Today, we’re diving into the world of New Year’s Day Parade Music . From Pasadena’s iconic Rose Parade to the lively streets of London, you’ll discover how music brings these celebrations to life. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Rose Parade Highlights The role of marching bands in this historic Pasadena tradition. Traditional parade tunes like “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” and “Strike Up the Band” . London New Year’s Day...
Dec 31, 2024•10 min•Ep. 140
In this festive episode of Busy Kids Love Music, we'll explore the stories behind three classic Christmas carols: “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “The First Noel,” and “Silent Night.” Each carol has a rich history and has been cherished across generations for its beauty and meaning. What We Cover in This Episode: Angels We Have Heard on High Originated as the French carol “Les Anges dans nos campagnes.” Features the famous “Gloria” refrain with its joyful melisma. Believed to have roots in 18th-...
Dec 17, 2024•9 min•Ep. 139
In this final episode of our Benjamin Britten series, we dive into one of his most cherished works for the holiday season, A Ceremony of Carols . Join me as we explore the origin story behind this iconic piece, its medieval poetry inspiration, and Britten’s unique use of harp and treble voices to create its enchanting sound. What You'll Learn in This Episode: The story of how A Ceremony of Carols was inspired during Britten's voyage across the Atlantic Ocean in 1942. How Britten’s love for medie...
Dec 03, 2024•7 min•Ep. 138
Welcome back to Busy Kids Love Music ! In this episode, we continue our three-part series on the British composer Benjamin Britten. Today, we’re diving into one of his most exciting and educational pieces, The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra. This composition is beloved by music teachers and conductors alike for its engaging way of introducing listeners to the various sections of an orchestra. Benjamin Britten created The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra in 1946 to help kids learn abo...
Nov 19, 2024•7 min•Ep. 137
Welcome to another episode of Busy Kids Love Music , your go-to podcast for introducing young listeners to the world of classical music! In today’s episode, we’re kicking off a new three-part series about one of the most celebrated British composers of the 20th century—Benjamin Britten. What We’ll Explore in this Episode : - Britten’s Early Life & Musical Beginnings : Born on November 22, 1913, in Suffolk, England—St. Cecilia’s Day, no less!—Britten was raised in a musically nurturing home. ...
Nov 05, 2024•8 min•Ep. 136
Welcome to Episode 134 of Busy Kids Love Music! As we approach Halloween, we're diving into one of the most famous and captivating musical stories of all time: The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber. In this episode, you'll learn all about this beloved musical and the story behind it. What You'll Learn in This Episode: The backstory of The Phantom of the Opera, first written as a novel by Gaston Leroux in 1910. How Andrew Lloyd Webber was inspired to turn this haunting tale into a music...
Oct 22, 2024•6 min•Ep. 134
Welcome back to *Busy Kids Love Music*! In Episode 133, we’re taking a musical journey to one of the world’s most famous festivals – Oktoberfest! This traditional German celebration, which began over 200 years ago in Munich, Germany, has spread across the world, bringing with it lively music, dancing, and festive fun. What You'll Learn in This Episode : In this episode, we explore the vibrant music that fills the air at Oktoberfest, including: - Oom-pah Music : Learn about the traditional "oom-p...
Oct 08, 2024•6 min•Ep. 133
Welcome to the final episode of our three-part series on the extraordinary composer Gustav Holst! If you missed our earlier episodes where we explored Holst’s life and his famous orchestral suite The Planets , be sure to check out those episodes using the links below. In today’s episode, we dive into a different side of Holst’s musical genius—his First Suite in E-flat for Military Band . Composed in 1909, this suite quickly became a cornerstone of the wind band repertoire and showcases Holst’s l...
Sep 24, 2024•5 min•Ep. 132
Welcome back to Busy Kids Love Music ! In this second episode of our three-part series on the incredible composer Gustav Holst, we're diving into one of his most famous and beloved works: The Planets. Whether you're a budding astronomer, a lover of mythology, or a homeschooling student learning about the solar system, this episode offers a fun and fascinating musical journey through the stars. In The Planets , Holst composed a suite of seven movements, each named after a different planet in our ...
Sep 10, 2024•11 min•Ep. 131
Welcome to Busy Kids Love Music, the podcast for busy families and kids who love music and want to learn more about their favorite composers, instruments, and styles of music. I'm your host, Carly Seifert, the creator of Busy Kids Do Piano , and today we are kicking off a special 3-part series on the life and music of the great composer, Gustav Holst. In this first episode, we’ll explore Holst's family life, his early interest in music, his musical training, and some of the unique characteristic...
Aug 27, 2024•7 min•Ep. 130
Welcome to the final episode of our Around the World with Busy Kids Love Music series! Travel with me today as we explore the vibrant and historical folk music of Greece. This summer, we’ve traveled through Zambia, Fiji, Finland, and Argentina, learning about their rich musical traditions. If you missed any episodes, don’t worry – I’ve linked them all below. Grab your musical passport, and let's dive into the sounds of Greece! In This Episode: Greek Dimotiko Music : Discover the traditional rura...
Aug 13, 2024•8 min•Ep. 129
Welcome to Episode 128 of Busy Kids Love Music! I’m thrilled to bring you the 4th stop of our Around the World series, where we journey to different countries to explore their unique folk music traditions. Today, we immerse ourselves in the vibrant sounds of Argentina! In This Episode: Chacarera: Discover this lively folk style from rural Argentina, characterized by guitars, bombo drums, and energetic dance movements. Zamba: Experience the melancholic beauty of zamba, a slower genre with roots i...
Jul 30, 2024•8 min•Ep. 128
Welcome to Episode 127 of Busy Kids Love Music! I’m thrilled to have you join me as we continue our summer series, A round the World with Busy Kids Love Music . So far, we've explored the musical traditions of Zambia and Finland. If you missed those episodes, you can catch up by visiting the links below, where you can also print your passport stamps. In This Episode: Fiji's Musical Heritage: Explore the beautiful island nation of Fiji, known for its vibrant and deeply rooted folk music. Traditio...
Jul 16, 2024•6 min•Ep. 127
Welcome to another episode of Busy Kids Love Music! In this episode, we continue our fourth annual summer series, Around the World with Busy Kids Love Music , with a journey to Finland. Discover the enchanting musical traditions of this beautiful Scandinavian country, from the mystical sounds of the kantele to the lively tunes of Pelimanni music. In This Episode, You Will Learn: - The role of the kantele in Finnish folk music and its origins in Finnish mythology. - The significance of the Kaleva...
Jul 02, 2024•7 min•Ep. 126
Hello Busy Kids Love Music families! I am so excited to welcome you to the fourth annual summer series of our podcast: Around the World with Busy Kids Love Music! This summer, we’re packing our musical bags and embarking on a journey to explore folk music from different countries, collecting passport stamps along the way. DOWNLOAD YOUR PASSPORT HERE DOWNLOAD YOUR PASSPORT STAMP FOR ZAMBIA HERE What is Folk Music? Before we dive into our first destination, let's take a moment to understand what f...
Jun 18, 2024•9 min•Ep. 125
Welcome back to Busy Kids Love Music, where we delve into the fascinating world of music and its incredible instruments. Today's episode is dedicated to exploring the unique and versatile banjo, the perfect instrument to learn about during this African-American Music Appreciation Month as it is significant in Black musical traditions of the past and present. **Exploring African Ancestors:** Listeners will be treated to a glimpse of the banjo's ancestor, the akonting, as we learn about similar in...
Jun 04, 2024•7 min•Ep. 124
Welcome to the latest episode of Busy Kids Love Music, where we embark on a musical journey into the captivating world of Sergei Prokofiev's ballet masterpiece, "Cinderella." Today we'll dive into the enchanting melodies and unforgettable moments that make this composition a timeless treasure. **Discovering Prokofiev's Ballet Legacy:** Sergei Prokofiev, renowned for his innovative compositions and mastery of musical storytelling, left an indelible mark on the world of ballet. Throughout his illu...
May 21, 2024•8 min•Ep. 123
