The Music Box is an interactive music education podcast for kids, exploring fundamental music concepts through performing, responding and connecting. The current season is hosted by music educator Faith Murphy. Each episode gets listeners involved in making music! Short episodes are perfect for a car ride or just hanging out at home. Get printable lesson plans and ideas for extending the learning at musicboxpod.org (http://musicboxpod.org). The Music Box is from Louisville Public Media and PRX, sponsored by PNC and also made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.
Found Sound
Shhh! Do you have your listening ears on? Kiana and Fiona are at Waterfront Park in Louisville, Kentucky tuning our ears to the sonic environment. We explore how to use your community's sounds to make music, art and field recordings. So, have your headphones ready for this episode all about found sound!]]>
10/17/2024 • 8 minutes, 29 seconds
Bird Music
Break out your binoculars! We're heading through the musical forest in search of bird music. No, not actual birds, but music meant to sound like them. From Saint-Saëns to Jennifer Higdon, Kiana and Fiona show us the musical aviary, and how nature has inspired composers for centuries.]]>
10/10/2024 • 11 minutes, 14 seconds
Music of Ancient Cultures
All aboard the Music Box Express! Kiana wants to visit 1953 and meet a renowned jazz theorist, and Fiona wants to travel to the future to hear some tunes. But they get distracted on the train, and end up waaaaay back in ancient Mesopotamia! And they're just in time for a musical performance like none they've ever heard before. Come along!]]>
10/3/2024 • 10 minutes, 57 seconds
Indian Classical Music
Ready for your brain to get bigger? Come along with us as we all fill our heads and ears with Indian classical music! We'll learn about the melodies, rhythms and beats that make up this musical style that's over 6,000 years old! And we'll hear some cool instruments that might sound familiar, even if you don't know their names... yet!]]>
9/26/2024 • 9 minutes, 2 seconds
Tiny Technique
There's more than one way to play a violin, and on this episode, we're learning all about non-traditional ways of playing, also called extended techniques. But what's this? The lesson is coming from INSIDE THE VIOLIN! And there are... pigs? Tiny pigs in there. Listening to Béla Bartók. Because of course they are. You won't want to miss these sounds, folks (but you might want to miss the smells).]]>
9/19/2024 • 9 minutes, 6 seconds
Anything, Anywhere, All Together
What does a sound designer do? Turns out, a lot more than Kiana and Fiona think! On this episode, our own sound designer Alex Biscardi shows the power of sound design to transport us through time and space, make us laugh, and even get us out of some tight spots. Turn on your listening ears and come along!]]>
9/12/2024 • 11 minutes, 50 seconds
Oh, No! It's Baroque!
The Music Box is back! And it's a good thing, because it looks like Baroque needs some fixing. Luckily, Dr. Kiana and Dr. Fiona are on the case! The music "doctors" cauterize Baroque's counterpoint, malleate its melodies, and assess its appoggiaturas... but can they bring Baroque back to all its intricate glory? Find out on this episode of The Music Box!]]>
9/5/2024 • 8 minutes, 44 seconds
The Music Doctors: Funk’s Got a Brand New Groove
In the words of James Brown, “get funky with me! C’mon!” We’re back in the operating room this week, so put on your lab coats and get ready to examine all the elements of our next patient - Funk! Join us as we explore rock steady beats, staying on the one, and grooving supporting guitar chords.This episode is recommended for grades K-5, but everyone can groove with us! Additional lessons and resources at musicboxpod.org.]]>
10/20/2022 • 7 minutes, 10 seconds
Meeting Asian Composers with Kojin Tashiro
This episode is a special one! We’ll board violinist and sound designer Kojin Tashiro’s private jet and fly all around the Asian continent, meet 4 great composers and learn about the music they make. Additional lessons and resources at musicboxpod.org. Recommended for grades K-5, but everyone can embark on this ethereal journey.]]>
9/30/2022 • 10 minutes, 11 seconds
Synthesizer to Space!
Blast off on the SS Wendy Carlos with the Music Box team and learn about all things synthesizers. From sine waves to square waves, we’ll explore the musical galaxy together to uncover all there is to know about these otherworldly electronic instruments. Additional lessons and resources at musicboxpod.org. Recommended for grades K-5, but everyone can embark on this ethereal journey.]]>
9/22/2022 • 14 minutes, 27 seconds
Broke Down Somewhere near Jupiter
Oh, no! Looks like Kiana and Fiona need a little more time to fix up their spaceship before you can come aboard. Luckily, they have everything under control (they took the manual with them). Get ready to blast off on September 7th. Additional lessons and resources at musicboxpod.org. Recommended for grades K-5, but everyone can have a seat on the spaceship.]]>
8/18/2022 • 1 minute, 40 seconds
Hitting the Pause Button
We had a new episode all ready to go for you, but it just doesn’t feel right in this moment. Listen in and we’ll tell you why we’re hitting pause this week. And we’ll be back with you next week with a new episode about how you can write your own songs.
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Resources for discussing current events with your kids:
Race Talk: Engaging Young People in Conversations About Race and Racism (Anti-Defamation League)
75 Things White People Can Do For Racial Justice (Medium)
How White Parents Can Use Media to Raise Anti-Racist Kids (Common Sense Media)
Resources for Talking About Race, Racism, and Racialized Violence With Kids (Center for Racial Justice in Education)
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6/4/2020 • 59 seconds
The Music Box is back for Season 3!
Introducing our new host, Faith Murphy! Season 3 starts on April 23.
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