Acoustic Rock Night at Albany Public Library September 16

The Albany Public Library is closing out the summer with the last Garage Bands in the Garage concert of the season. Join us this Friday, Sept. 16, for Acoustic Rock Night featuring Matt Durfee & the Rattling Baddlies and Swamp Baby.

The free, all-ages show runs from 6 to 8 pm at the Washington Ave. Branch (back entrance off Elk St.). You are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and snacks to complete your concert-going experience.

There will also be a sale of gently used CDs -- all just $1 each -- at the show. Stop by Friday night for a fun evening of music!

Why Does Music Education Matter?

Because administrators and politicians generally view music as an “add-on” or “special,” it can be the first program cut from a school facing budget constraints. As a result, supporters of music education constantly struggle to justify music’s importance. They might show how music improves math scores and increases school attendance, or they may demonstrate that the focus and discipline required to master an instrument improve students’ overall academic performance.

Proponents of music education may also discuss one of the most compelling effects of music—the fact that creating music requires individual competence (based on practice and discipline) combined with attentiveness to others in an ensemble, and that this balance prepares children for success in any work or personal environment. They may also point out that learning to lead an ensemble, whether as a conductor, band leader, or first chair in an orchestra, is excellent preparation for leadership of any kind.

They’re right, of course, about all those things. But the underlying reason that music helps improve nearly every area of a child’s life is that music is a critical and necessary part of the human experience.

Read more from The Singing Classroom

NASA Posts a Huge Library of Space Sounds, And You’re Free To Use Them

Space is the place. Again.

And SoundCloud is now a place you can find sounds from the US government space agency, NASA. In addition to the requisite vocal clips ("Houston, we've had a problem" and "The Eagle has landed"), you get a lot more. There are rocket sounds, the chirps of satellites and equipment, lightning on Jupiter, interstellar plasma and radio emissions. And in one nod to humanity, and not just American humanity, there’s the Soviet satellite Sputnik (among many projects that are international in nature).

Many of these sounds were available before... But putting them on SoundCloud makes them much easier to browse and find, and there are download links...

Another thing: you’re free to use all of these sounds as you wish, because NASA’s own audio isn't copyrighted. It’s meant to be a public service to the American people of their taxpayer-funded government program, but that extends to everyone.

More from Created Digital Music.

The Good Wife episode about music copyright infringement, Glee and Jonathan Coulton

The copyright dispute between Jonathan Coulton and the television show Glee about the "Baby Got Back" cover was the blueprint for this week's episode of "The Good Wife", [probably my favorite show] named "Goliath and David". The plot followed the real case in close detail, up to the point where they discovered a section in the audio that sounded like it was lifted from the independent musician's track (a duck's quack in Coulton's case).

Watch it here from CBS.

(Description edited from Christoph Drösser's Facebook page.)

Garage Bands in the Garage @ Albany Public Library

From Nippertown.

You might not realize.. that the Albany Public Library is... a pretty damn fine music venue.

Back again for a another summer season is the Garage Bands in the Garage free concert series, held in the garage at the rear of the Washington Avenue main branch of the Albany Public Library.

The monthly concerts take place at 6pm on the third Friday of the month between now and September, and they’ve got some mighty fine bands lined up to play for you this year.

Garage Bands in the Garage Concerts are Back!

The award-winning Garage Bands in the Garage concert series returns to the Albany Public Library, Main Library this summer. The all-ages, after-hours shows feature live music by great local bands playing in the garage of the Main Library (at the Elk Street parking lot entrance). All shows run on select Friday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. and also feature a CD/DVD garage sale with $1 items.

For more info, go here.

25 New Recordings Added to National Recording Registry

The Library of Congress' National Recording Registry annually adds recordings that are “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” and preserves them for future generations. This year they added recordings such as "I Feel Love" by Donna Summer, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" by the Vince Guaraldi Trio, and "Rapper’s Delight" by the Sugarhill Gang.

Here’s what was added, in reverse chronological order
25. “Purple Rain,” Prince and the Revolution (1984)
24. “Rapper’s Delight,” Sugarhill Gang (1979)
23. “I Feel Love,” Donna Summer (1977)
22. Barton Hall concert by the Grateful Dead (May 8, 1977)
21. “Mothership Connection,” Parliament (1975)
20. “Coat of Many Colors,” Dolly Parton (1971)
19. “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Vince Guaraldi Trio (1970)
18. “The Continental Harmony: Music of William Billings,” Gregg Smith Singers (1969)
17. “Forever Changes,” Love (1967)
16. “Green Onions,” Booker T. & the M.G.’s (1962)
15. “Bo Diddley” and “I’m a Man,” Bo Diddley (1955)
14. “Also Sprach Zarathustra,” Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (1954, 1958)
13. “Let’s Go Out to the Programs,” The Dixie Hummingbirds (1953)
12. “I Can Hear It Now,” Fred W. Friendly and Edward R. Murrow (1948)
11. “Hula Medley,” Gabby Pahinui (1947)
10. “The Indians for Indians Hour” (March 25, 1947)
9. International Sweethearts of Rhythm: Hottest Women’s Band of the 1940s (1944-1946)
8. Debut performance with the New York Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein (Nov. 14, 1943)
7. “Artistry in Rhythm,” Stan Kenton & and his Orchestra (1943)
6. “Fascinating Rhythm,” Sol Hoopii and his Novelty Five (1938)
5. “I Want to Be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart,” Patsy Montana (1935)
4. “Voices from the Days of Slavery,” Various speakers (1932-1941 interviews; 2002 compilation)
3. “Ten Cents a Dance,” Ruth Etting (1930)
2. “Come Down Ma Evenin’ Star,” Lillian Russell (1912)
1. Edison Talking Doll cylinder (1888)

List of songs about looking words up in dictionari​es

From the blog of Ken Jennings. Yeah, THAT Ken Jennings.

National Jukebox

This is really tremendous!

Historical Recordings from the Library of Congress

The Library of Congress presents the National Jukebox, which makes historical sound recordings available to the public free of charge. The Jukebox includes recordings from the extraordinary collections of the Library of Congress Packard Campus for Audio Visual Conservation and other contributing libraries and archives. Recordings in the Jukebox were issued on record labels now owned by Sony Music Entertainment, which has granted the Library of Congress a gratis license to stream acoustical recordings.

At launch, the Jukebox includes more than 10,000 recordings made by the Victor Talking Machine Company between 1901 and 1925. Jukebox content will be increased regularly, with additional Victor recordings and acoustically recorded titles made by other Sony-owned U.S. labels, including Columbia, OKeh, and others.

Mendelssohn at First Presbyterian Church

From an article by Michael Lister, First Presbyterian Church

On Sunday, November 14 at 4 pm, the Chancel Choir of First Presbyterian Church will partner with the choir of Troy First United Presbyterian Church, under the direction of Maury Castro, to perform the magnificent cantata Lauda Sion, as well as other works by Felix Mendelssohn. In addition to the combined choirs, the concerts will feature members of the Hyperion String Quartet, soloists from FPC and FPC's esteemed organist, Nancy Frank. The first performance was in Troy on November 7.

For nearly 200 years, the music of Felix Mendelssohn has been a source of great inspiration, musically, socially, and spiritually. Hailing from a respected Jewish family that converted to Christianity when he was a child, Mendelssohn incorporated a strong sense of faith, tradition, and community in his music. Raised in a home that encouraged independent thought, artistic expression, and appreciation of culture, Mendelssohn incorporated all of these things into his work.

In addition to his own works, Mendelssohn is also credited with bringing about a renewed interest in music from previous generations, including the music of J.S. Bach, who had largely been forgotten before Mendelssohn’s time. Mendelssohn was also deeply committed to the development of a society that incorporated “receptivity to tradition; faith in God; tolerance; and a sense of community.” Many of his works demonstrate that philosophy. One of his later works was the cantata Lauda Sion, written for soloists, chorus, and orchestra, which incorporated much of his comprehensive philosophy. The large text speaks to the community of believers as they partake in communion together, which directs their attention to the glory and mercy of their Savior and incorporates the lineage of saints who have shared in the Sacred Banquet. Mendelssohn’s music beautifully depicts all of these ideas through a beautiful tapestry of sound woven together in his unique and reverent style.

Great Local Music at Your Libraries

Garage Bands in the Garage

Libraries aren't the typical venue for rock concerts, but the parking garage at Albany's Main Library is the perfect location for the award-winning Garage Bands in the Garage concert series. These free after-hours, all-ages rock concerts take place on the third Friday of each month this summer from 6 to 8 p.m. in the garage at the Main Library's back entrance on Elk Street. You can hear some great local bands and buy used CDs and LPs retired from the library's collection. This year's Garage Bands in the Garage shows are co-sponsored by WEXT 97.7 and Metroland.

July 16 (Friday) at 6 p.m. at Main: Charmboy and Beware! The Other Head of Science. Charmboy is a classic power trio who long for rock's bad old days. Beware! The Other Head of Science is a six-member group that was dubbed "best electro pop band" by Metroland in 2009.

Aug. 20 (Friday) at 6 p.m. at Main: Grainbelt and Knyghts of Fuzz. Grainbelt infuses country with cowpunk for glorious roots-rock and impassioned vocals by Howard Glassman. Knyghts of Fuzz is a newer band created by members of Rocky Velvet and other Albany-area rockers.

Sept. 17 (Friday) at 6 p.m. at Main: The Union Boots and Complicated Shirt. The Union Boots has a classic, rocking sound and hails from Albany. Complicated Shirt lives between garage rock and punk, but brings an inspired sound to both genres.



Acoustic Sidewalk

We've got more great local music for you in our Acoustic Sidewalk shows. This concert series consists of free afternoon musical performances each month, from April through September, on outdoor patios and sidewalks in front of the city's libraries.

July 23 (Friday) at 5 p.m. at the Arbor Hill/West Hill Branch Library. Guitarist/singer Kyle Miller recently released an indie album of original folk/blues/rock songs.

Aug. 6 (Friday) at 12 p.m. at the Main Library. Singer/guitarist John Florussen has written and performed original folk-inspired pop for 10 years and has a new collection, "Nothing Wrong With Love," coming out this fall.

Aug. 23 (Monday) at 5 p.m. at the Howe Branch Library. Singer/songwriter Courtney Biondo has been performing live since she was 13 and is known for her original acoustic rock.

Sept. 10 (Friday) at 5 p.m. at the Delaware Branch Library. Cavanaugh & Kavanaugh performs traditional and original songs on guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, and more.

For more information about these two concert series, call the Main Library at 427-4300.

As you can see, Albany Public Library should be YOUR entertainment destination this summer. We've got activities galore for people of all ages, plus the latest blockbuster books and DVDs too. Stop by one of our libraries and check out what we have to offer!

From one bookworm to another,
Stephanie Simon
Albany Public Library

*A CHRISTMAS MESSIAH SING ALONG*

(Part I, plus Hallelujah Chorus)

Saturday December 5 at 3 PM
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 21 Hackett Blvd, Albany

Bring your score or borrow one!
Soloists:
Susan Harwood, soprano
Erica Sparrow, mezzo
Douglas Schmolze, tenor
Stephen Dahlin, bass
Edward Heffron, organ
Steven Rosenberry, conductor

Admission $10. Reception following.

Further information 463-2257. Plentiful free parking. Wheelchair accessible.

The City Of Albany's Gospel Gala

On Friday, February 6, 2009 the City of Albany will once again host the celebration of African American History through gospel music at the historic Palace Theatre. This free event will officially kick-off African-American History Month in the City and will include performances by many local gospel choirs and liturgical dance groups. Click here for details.

Albany Symphony Orchestra Vanguard pre-concert event

On Thursday, September 25th, 12-1pm at the Main Library, join conductor David Allen Miller and musicians with the orchestra as he talks about the weekend's program, Voyages of Exploration with pieces by Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and Brahms.

Garage Bands in The Garage!

Meet APL behind the library, that's right, in the garage on June 27th at 6PM for the Ben Karis-Nix and the Scientific Maps. Be sure to bring your lawn chairs!

See you there for the second in the award winning series of summer concerts!

Garage Bands Rock

Drop by the Library's Garage on Friday (yes, this Friday, May 30) for a FREE concert by local Garage Bands, Alta Mira and The Sense Offenders. Check out Sarah's tips for more info to stay on top of the Entertainment Scene in Albany! The Library presents five nights of Summer fun...all at 6PM, all at the Library's Garage and all fun!

Local Recorded Music at APL?

See here for details.

Dance Dance Revolution & Guitar Hero at Howe Library

Join the dance sensation that's sweeping the nation.
Mondays February 4th & 18th, 4pm.

And everyone is a rock star with American's favorite interactive music game.
Mondays, February 11th & 25th, 4pm

APL Joins First Friday

Join APL as we join First Friday! Our very first event will feature the art of Demetrius Dickerson, the music of Ashley Pond, Hip Hop Dancers, Poetry Reading and the food of Pinto & Hobbs. So come on by the main branch on Friday, February 1st from 6 to 9 pm.

Garage Bands in the Garage

At the Main branch, 161 Washington Ave., Albany. Friday, July 20, 6 pm with Guiltless Cult and Scientific Maps.