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Archive: November 2017 (6 Posts)

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Tactile Staff Notation

Posted by: Donna Koh

Today’s post is about the braille books in our collection that explain to blind readers how staff notation (print music) works. In case you are wondering why blind musicians need to know staff notation, two important reasons come to mind. First, music teachers who are visually impaired must be able to help their sighted students …

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American Composers and Musicians from A to Z: B (Part 1 – Beach, Amy)

Posted by: Juliette Appold

Have you ever noticed that there are many composers whose last names start with the letter B? Let’s choose one who has an anniversary. This year the music world celebrates Amy Beach’s 150th birthday. Amy Marcy Cheney Beach was born in Henniker, New Hampshire, on September 5, 1867. From her earliest childhood, she showed extraordinary …

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Remembering the Father of the Blues

Posted by: Gilbert Busch

Today’s blog celebrates the career of W.C. Handy. Born in Florence, Alabama on November 16, 1873, William Christopher Handy became interested in music at an early age. His father, a minister, felt that music was an unwise career choice for him and, indeed, the young Handy experienced years of poverty and homelessness at first. But …

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Call for Participation: NLS Digital Braille Music Repository

Posted by: Juliette Appold

Are you a braille music reader or know someone who is? Wouldn’t you like to find more braille music scores online, in one place? We have some great news for you: The Music Section at the Library of Congress’ National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) is developing a Digital Braille Music …