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Category: Musical Instruments

Lakecia Benjamin: 2023 Library of Congress Jazz Scholar

Posted by: Claudia Morales

The following is a guest post by 2023 Library of Congress Jazz Scholar and 2024 Grammy Nominee Lakecia Benjamin. In many ways, 2023 was a breakout year for me. I was blessed to be able to perform the music I love, meet new people and experience different countries, languages, and cultures. Most people don’t know …

Saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin performing on an alto saxophone in the Coolidge Auditorium. Wearing a gold jacket and white top.

Now Streaming: January 2024 Edition

Posted by: Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres

The Library of Congress is proud to offer free digital programming from its collections for the enjoyment of audiences that are not able to attend our live events in Washington, D.C. The Music Division works with colleagues throughout the Library to ensure that past events in the Concerts from the Library of Congress series, educational …

Chief Adjuah, a Journey to New Orleans

Posted by: Claudia Morales

This December Chief  Adjuah takes the stage at the Coolidge Auditorium (Friday, December 1 at 8 p.m.). Known for his dynamic and genre-defying music, Chief Adjuah will perform his latest studio-recorded album, “Bark Out Thunder Roar Out Lighting.” Chief Adjuah’s upcoming performance marks the first of two scheduled artists this season, both contributing to a …

Woman with dark hair, fancy dress and pearls with eyes closed and mouth slightly open, singing

Concerts from the Library of Congress Announces Fall 2022 Concert Series

Posted by: David Plylar

It feels great to be able to announce the full return of Concerts from the Library of Congress to the Coolidge Auditorium! We have a wonderful series planned for you this year, to be revealed in two parts. You can read the press release for the fall segment here. While we will continue to have …

Woman with dark hair, fancy dress and pearls with eyes closed and mouth slightly open, singing

Reflecting on Jazz with New Resources from the Library of Congress

Posted by: Claudia Morales

The following is a blog post from first author Kaleena Black and co-author Claudia Morales. It was published on NAFME “Music Educators Journal”– September 2021 issue Kaleena Black is an Educational Resources Specialist at the Library of Congress.  She can be reached at [email protected]. Claudia Morales is a Concert Producer at the Library of Congress.  She …

Woman with dark hair, fancy dress and pearls with eyes closed and mouth slightly open, singing

Discovering a “lost” clarinetist in the Stravinsky/Craft Collection

Posted by: Paul Sommerfeld

This is a guest post by Stephanie Akau, who just completed a 2018 Library of Congress Junior Fellowship. She is working towards a Master of Library and Information Science degree at San José State University and will graduate in May 2019. She is currently a library information specialist at the University of New Mexico. She …

Woman with dark hair, fancy dress and pearls with eyes closed and mouth slightly open, singing

A Record-setting Display of Antonio Stradivari Instruments at the Library

Posted by: David Plylar

The following is a guest post by Anne McLean of the Music Division. Library of Congress photographer Shawn Miller captured this stunning shot of ten Stradivari instruments—and the Quartetto di Cremona— during a special “Strad Shoot” in the glorious Great Hall of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building. The occasion was an exciting prelude …

Woman with dark hair, fancy dress and pearls with eyes closed and mouth slightly open, singing

Great and Good Friends: An Exhibition That Showcases the Library’s Thai Instruments

Posted by: Cait Miller

The following is a guest post from Lara Szypszak, Concert Assistant for the Music Division. An upcoming exhibition in Bangkok at the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles (running March 21 through June 30) highlights 200 years of U.S.-Thai friendship, and is thus aptly titled Great and Good Friends. A few of our instruments, including hand …