Busy Kids Love Music

Our summer world tour continues — and for Stop 2, we're trading the warm Caribbean rhythms of Puerto Rico for something entirely different: the misty fjords, ancient forests, and hauntingly beautiful folk music of Norway. In this episode, we explore Norway's deep folk music roots, from the Norse storytelling tradition to the extraordinary sound of the Hardanger fiddle — an instrument that doesn't just play a melody but seems to fill the air around it. We also talk about the athletic halling dance, the improvised poetry of the stev, and how composer Edvard Grieg (the very first composer we ever featured on this podcast, back in Episode 2) deliberately wove Norwegian folk traditions into classical music that eventually reached concert halls around the world. Norway's folk music survived centuries of foreign rule because ordinary people held onto it tightly. That's a story worth hearing. What We Cover in This Episode Norway's geography and why the landscape shaped its music The Norse people, the Vikings, and the rich storytelling tradition behind Norwegian folk music How folk music became an act of cultural survival during centuries of Danish and Swedish rule The Hardanger fiddle — what makes it unlike almost any other instrument in the world (hint: it has strings you never touch) Dance forms of Norwegian folk music: the springar and the halling The stev — improvised sung poetry, and how it connects to the décima tradition we heard in Puerto Rico Edvard Grieg and how he translated Norwegian folk music into classical compositions heard around the world How Norwegian folk traditions are being carried forward by younger musicians today Free Downloads for This Episode 🪄 Download your Norway Passport Stamp (Stop 2 of 5 — add it to your musical passport) 🎵 Listen to the Curated Norwegian Folk Music Playlist (Hardanger fiddle performances, halling dance music, and Grieg pieces that will sound brand new now that you know where they came from) All downloads are available at busykidsdopiano.com/podcast/178 Instrument We Learned About Hardanger fiddle (Hardingfele) — a Norwegian folk instrument that looks similar to a violin but has four or five additional "sympathetic strings" running underneath the main playing strings. These understrings are never touched directly — they vibrate in response to the notes being played above them, creating a resonant, layered sound that many listeners describe as haunting or ancient. The instrument takes its name from the Hardanger region of western Norway, where it was developed in the 1600s. Music & Traditions Featured in This Episode Traditional Norwegian folk melodies Hardanger fiddle music The halling — a solo acrobatic dance form accompanied by fiddle, where the dancer and musician carry on a musical conversation (similar in spirit to the bomba tradition we explored in Episode 177) The stev — four-line improvised sung poetry performed as a kind of musical duel between singers Edvard Grieg's Norwegian Dances and Peer Gynt Suite Episodes Mentioned Episode 177: Folk Music of Puerto Rico (Stop 1 of the summer tour) Episode 2: Edvard Grieg (the very first composer we ever featured on Busy Kids Love Music) Keep Exploring The curated playlist in the show notes is a great next step — especially if you want to hear what the Hardanger fiddle actually sounds like in context. Try listening to a piece of Grieg after you've heard some traditional Hardanger fiddle music and see if your ears pick up the connection. Enjoying the Podcast? If Busy Kids Love Music has been a good addition to your family's learning, would you take just a minute to rate and review the show? It helps other families find us, and that means more kids getting to experience music like this. You can leave a review right in your podcast app — it takes less than two minutes, and I'm so grateful for every single one. Next Time on Busy Kids Love Music Three more passport stamps to go. Join us in two weeks for Stop 3 on the summer world tour — subscribe so you don't miss it. Busy Kids Love Music is a podcast for music-loving families, created by Carly Seifert of Busy Kids Do Piano. New episodes every two weeks.

If you've been listening along to our last few episodes, you've heard a lot of violin — Vivaldi wrote for it constantly, and it's easy to understand why. But the violin has a whole family of relatives, and today we're finally introducing all of them. In this episode, we meet the four members of the string family: The violin — the smallest, brightest member of the family, and the one you've been hearing in our Vivaldi series The viola — slightly larger, with a warmer and darker sound (think: a quiet, golden afternoon compared to the violin's bright, sunny morning) The cello — deep, rich, and almost voice-like in quality (you may remember it from Episode 30, when we listened to Bach's Cello Suites together!) The double bass — the largest member of the family, producing a sound so low you almost feel it as much as you hear it We also do a fun listening comparison near the end of the episode — all four instruments played back-to-back so your ears can really start to notice the differences. FREE PRINTABLE: STRING FAMILY SPOTTER SHEET I created a String Family Spotter sheet to go along with this episode. As you listen to music over the next few weeks — whether from this podcast or anything else you come across — you can use it to check off which string instruments you hear. It's a wonderful way to keep those listening ears active and engaged between episodes. 👉 Download your String Family Spotter Sheet here EPISODE PLAYLIST Want to keep listening to the music from today's episode? I've put together a playlist with all the pieces featured, which is perfect to use alongside your String Family Spotter sheet. 🎵 Listen to Episode 176 Playlist here Music featured in this episode: Beethoven: String Quartet in C-sharp minor, Op. 131 Vivaldi: Spring from The Four Seasons Bartók: Bratschenkonzert (viola concerto) — Tabea Zimmermann, Christoph Eschenbach Yo-Yo Ma: Bach Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, Prélude Xavier Foley: Foley Etude No. 12, "Reconstruction" (double bass) EPISODES MENTIONED Episode 173: Antonio Vivaldi — Life in Venice Episode 174: The Four Seasons Episode 175: Concerto for Two Violins in A Minor Episode 30: Bach's Cello Suites ABOUT BUSY KIDS LOVE MUSIC Busy Kids Love Music is a podcast for music-loving families, exploring the stories behind classical music one composer (and one piece) at a time. I'm your host, Carly Seifert, creator of Busy Kids Do Piano. Thanks so much for listening — I'm cheering you on as you listen, learn, and create music! 🎹 Learn more about Busy Kids Do Piano: busykidsdopiano.com/membership

In this week's episode of Busy Kids Love Music, we're welcoming the Christmas season with a beautiful and expressive work by English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams — a musician who adored both folk tunes and the charming old carols passed down through generations. 🎶 What You'll Hear in This Episode In Fantasia on Christmas Carols, Vaughan Williams weaves together three traditional English carols into one imaginative and atmospheric piece for baritone, chorus, and orchestra: The Truth Sent from Above Come All You Worthy Gentlemen On Christmas Night All Christians Sing (often known as The Sussex Carol) You'll learn: Why Vaughan Williams was passionate about preserving English folk music What a fantasia is and how this piece "daydreams" from one idea to another How the composer added "hidden" carol fragments throughout the music Why this work was meaningful during World War I Details about the piece's 1912 premiere at the Three Choirs Festival How Fantasia on Christmas Carols continues to inspire holiday performances today This episode also explains the unique combination of baritone soloist, full choir, and orchestra, and how the piece begins and ends with a moving cello solo. 🎧 Listen to the Full Piece Find the complete recording of Fantasia on Christmas Carols here. 🎄 More Christmas Music Fun Don't miss these seasonal resources from Busy Kids Do Piano! Online Nutcracker Camp for Kids Musical Advent Calendar 🔔 Up Next Get ready for a fun musical mystery game in our next episode: "What Was That Sound? – Holiday Edition!" We'll explore instruments of the season with festive sound-guessing challenges your kids will love. Thanks for listening, and as always — keep listening and keep learning, because Busy Kids Love Music!

This month on Busy Kids Love Music, we're celebrating the magic of musical theater — and the brand-new movie Wicked: For Good! In this episode, I introduce young listeners to Stephen Schwartz, the brilliant composer and lyricist behind some of Broadway and Disney's most beloved songs. From his early studies at Juilliard and Carnegie Mellon to writing timeless shows like Godspell, Pippin, and Children of Eden, Stephen Schwartz has spent his career creating music that inspires and uplifts. Of course, his most famous work — Wicked — reimagines the story of Oz through unforgettable songs like "Defying Gravity," "Popular," and "For Good." As you listen, you'll learn what it means to be both a composer and a lyricist, explore Schwartz's journey to Broadway, and discover how his music brings characters' emotions to life. 🎵 Featured Music in This Episode "For Good" – Wicked "Popular" – Wicked "Corner of the Sky" – Pippin "Defying Gravity" – Wicked "No Good Deed" – Wicked 🧩 Free Printable: Audio Treasure Hunt Turn this episode into an interactive listening activity! Download the Audio Treasure Hunt Worksheet from the show notes to answer fun questions about Stephen Schwartz and test your listening skills as you go. 👉 Download Here 💡 Fun Facts Stephen Schwartz wrote music and lyrics for Wicked, Pippin, and Godspell. Listen to a full playlist of Stephen Schwartz favorites here! He also penned lyrics for Disney favorites like Pocahontas ("Colors of the Wind"), The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Enchanted. You can even spot Stephen Schwartz himself in a cameo appearance in Wicked: Part 1! 🪄 Keep Listening This episode kicks off a month-long celebration of musical theater at Busy Kids Love Music! Stay tuned for more Wicked-themed fun and behind-the-scenes stories about Broadway composers. 🎧 Subscribe to Busy Kids Love Music wherever you get your podcasts, and don't miss a single musical adventure. 💻 Explore More 🎹 Learn piano with Busy Kids Do Piano: busykidsdopiano.com 📸 Follow along on social media: Instagram: @busykidsdopiano Facebook: Busy Kids Do Piano YouTube: Busy Kids Do Piano Channel

We're kicking off a brand-new series on the Busy Kids Love Music podcast, and this time our focus is on the remarkable life and work of composer Imogen Holst. You might recognize her last name—yes, her father was the famous Gustav Holst, composer of The Planets. But Imogen was far more than "the daughter of…" She built her own musical career as a gifted composer, conductor, teacher, and champion of the arts, making an impact that still resonates today. In this episode, you'll discover: 🎵 How growing up in a musical household shaped Imogen's early years 🎵 Her studies at the Royal College of Music and her path to becoming a composer 🎵 The important roles she played during World War II to bring music to communities and support refugee musicians 🎵 Her close collaboration with composer Benjamin Britten and her work at the Aldeburgh Festival 🎵 Why her music stands out, and how she forged her own creative voice in a male-dominated field This episode also features an Audio Treasure Hunt—a free printable you can download from the show notes. As you listen, see how many questions you can answer about Imogen Holst's life and music! Listen now to learn about a trailblazing 20th-century musician whose legacy includes not only her own compositions, but also her dedication to uplifting the work of others. Resources & Links: Download your free Audio Treasure Hunt printable Curated playlist of Imogen Holst's music

It's time for a spooky (but silly!) musical adventure as we wrap up our 3-part series on the brilliant French composer Camille Saint-Saëns. In today's episode of Busy Kids Love Music, we're exploring one of Saint-Saëns' most imaginative and well-known pieces: Danse Macabre — or "Dance of Death." But don't worry — while the title sounds a bit eerie, this piece is more like a playful Halloween dance party than a fright fest. With dancing skeletons, chiming midnight bells, and a dramatic story told entirely through music, Danse Macabre is the perfect mix of spooky and fun. Inside this episode, your child will: Learn the meaning behind the title Danse Macabre Discover how Saint-Saëns uses musical instruments like the xylophone, violin, and oboe to paint a vivid scene Hear how a spooky-sounding interval called a tritone helps set the mood Use their imagination to picture the skeleton dance party in full swing Listen for musical clues like midnight chimes and a rooster crowing at dawn Don't forget to download your FREE Audio Treasure Hunt! I've hidden six questions throughout the episode for your child to uncover as they listen. 👉 Download it here Mentioned in this episode: Danse Macabre by Camille Saint-Saëns Instruments to listen for: xylophone (rattling bones!), harp (midnight chimes), violin (creepy tritone), and oboe (the rooster at dawn) Previous episodes in our Saint-Saëns series: → Episode 156: Meet the Composer – Camille Saint-Saëns → Episode 157: Carnival of the Animals Whether you're listening around Halloween or just in the mood for something dramatic and fun, this episode will show how music can spark imagination and tell a story — even without any words.

We're kicking off a brand-new composer series—and this one's all about the brilliant French composer Camille Saint-Saëns! 🎼 In this first episode of our 3-part series, your child will discover: What made Saint-Saëns a child prodigy His early musical education and incredible memory How travel and science inspired his compositions The tragedies and triumphs that shaped his life Why his music stood apart from others in his time Plus! This episode includes a FREE Audio Treasure Hunt to make listening extra interactive and fun. Can your child catch how old Saint-Saëns was at his first public concert? Or what inspired his "Egyptian" piano concerto? 🎧 Featured Music Includes: Organ Symphony Piano Concerto No. 5 "The Egyptian" Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor Don't forget to download your free Audio Treasure Hunt worksheet and explore my curated playlist of Camille Saint-Saëns' most beloved compositions. 🎹 Enrollment Now Open: If you've been thinking about starting piano lessons at home, now's the perfect time! Public enrollment for Busy Kids Do Piano is open through August 18th. Learn more and sign up here. Don't miss Episode 157, where we'll take a closer listen to The Carnival of the Animals—a delightful musical zoo full of lions, kangaroos, and the famous swan. Until next time, keep listening and keep making music!

In today's episode of Busy Kids Love Music, we head to the vibrant country of Colombia—a place full of colorful landscapes, rich traditions, and joyful rhythms! Part of our special summer series Around the World with Busy Kids Love Music, this musical journey introduces your child to the diverse folk styles that make Colombian music so special. From the African-influenced drums of the coastal regions to the haunting melodies of Indigenous flutes and the lively accordion tunes of vallenato, we'll explore how Colombia's music reflects its unique blend of cultures: Indigenous, African, and Spanish. 🎶 Highlights from this episode include: A deep dive into cumbia, one of Colombia's most iconic musical styles. Listening to the gaita—a traditional Indigenous flute—and how it's used in folk ensembles. Learning about the tambora, a drum essential to Afro-Colombian rhythms and celebrations. Discovering the accordion's role in vallenato and its European roots. Exploring how Colombian folk music is still a vibrant part of everyday life—from school songs to street parades! 📌 Episode Resources: 🎟 Download your free Colombia Passport Stamp here 🎵 Curated YouTube Playlist of Colombian Folk Music featuring cumbia, vallenato, and more 🗺️ Previous Stops on Our Around the World Series: Folk Music of Ethiopia Folk Music of Ukraine Folk Music of South Korea 📍Next stop: Our final destination of the summer series—don't miss it in two weeks! This episode will transport your family to Colombia through the power of music. Don't forget to grab your musical passport stamp and explore even more music with my bonus playlist! 🎧 Subscribe to Busy Kids Love Music on your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode. 💬 Let's Connect: Have a question or want to share your child's musical discoveries? Tag me on Instagram @busymomsdopiano or send us message to carly@busymomsdopiano.com!