New Commissioning Program “Just Songs” Amplifies Voices of Emerging Songwriters

The program, which offers an incubation process, reflects YPC’s goal of continuing to provide choristers and alumni with resources and support as they establish their own successful careers. Just Songs (Unplugged) is a compilation of acoustic solo works, with lyrical themes centered around social issues, created by YPC alumni as an inspiration for the organization’s young choristers.  This winter, the artists will work with YPC’s choral members, grades 3-10, to perform Just Songs (Amplified), a set of new choral arrangements of the original songs,

Tying It Together: Defining the Difference Between Ties and Slurs

The difference between tied notes and slurred notes in music can cause confusion—which is not surprising, since they are both noted the exact same way! Both slurs and ties are indicated with arc-shaped lines placed either above a grouping of notes (if the notes’ stems are pointing down) or below a grouping of notes (if the stems are pointing up).

Playing Well with Dr. Kertz — Health Tips for Vocalists

It’s vocal month at Making Music, and in his newest video, Dr. Randy Kertz discusses the importance of good posture and breathing techniques for vocalists, and if you should find an expert to work on your intercostal muscles. Dr. Kertz’s monthly column addresses how musicians can avoid injury, how they can identify things they may […]

Jane Lui — Lighting the Way of Her Own Path

Surrija is a new electro project by Jane Lui. It will forever be under the radar since that’s where she prefers it. Recording artist, multi-instrumentalist, and actor originally from HK. She grew up on classical training, but quit the second she discovered her love for playing by ear and singing in choirs. She got a degree in music (choral conducting) against her family’s wishes…

Composer Erick Schroder — On Crafting the Perfect Palette of Sound for a Movie

Crafting the perfect palette of sounds around a picture seems like a daunting task, but for musicians who have made this their profession, it’s just another day at the office. Composer Erick Schroder knows this first hand, with over 70 IMDB credits to his name, he has scored everything from documentaries to sport dramas. His latest project is Hulu’s comedy/drama The Ultimate Playlist of Noise starring Madeline Brewer (The Handmaid’s Tale) and Keean Johnson (Euphoria)….

D’Addario Loknob — Lock in Your Sound

Dial and lock in your sound settings with D’Addario’s easy-to-install Loknob. Once in place, simply rotate the knob to click into the sound you need. For larger sound adjustments, lift the knob, rotate to your desired sound, then release. Loknob retrofits to most amplifiers, effects pedals, instruments, and live/studio gear. Available in two sizes and […]