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A New Braille Music Title, Very Old Twisted Roots

Posted by: John Hanson

In 1863, the Imperial Institute for the Young Blind in Paris published a “Collection of Organ Pieces” —“for the special use of students at the Institute.” These pieces were all composed by professors of music at the Institute, all of whom had been students there also. They are Gabriel Gauthier, Marius Gueit, Victor Paul, and …

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Justin Kauflin Redux

Posted by: John Hanson

We have written – more than once – about Music Section patron Justin Kauflin. Last October, Justin performed a wonderful jazz set at the Library of Congress celebrating 50 years of service by the NLS Music Section, and demonstrating his prowess and creativity at the keyboard. Thanks to technology, Justin’s performance can now be heard …

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Braille Music for the 21st Century

Posted by: John Hanson

Over the past 10 years, technology has grown in unimaginable ways. We can download nearly anything at the click of a mouse, we can instantaneously talk to our friends overseas through our computers, and we can carry around a whole world’s wealth of knowledge in a device the size of a deck of cards. Fortunately, …

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Richmond Blues

Posted by: John Hanson

The following is a guest blog from Ed O’Reilly, Head of the NLS Collection Development Section. He is a folklore specialist, with a strong interest in American folk music.   The blog highlights a recent addition to the Music Section’s offerings: Richmond Blues John Cephas and Phil Wiggins, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, NLS book number DBM …

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Sigma Alpha Iota’s Bold Contributions

Posted by: John Hanson

We have several times mentioned on this blog that the Music Section has a substantial collection of “large print” scores and books. They provide a collection of readable music for young and old alike, whether a middle or high school student beginning on the trumpet or those of a certain age wanting to remember and …

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Braille Music Transcribers

Posted by: John Hanson

The Music Section often touts the large number of braille music scores in its collection (20,000+).  Without braille music transcribers, there would be no such scores.  Some of you may know or know about music transcribers and may even have made use of their skills.  You should also know that these transcribers transcribe for everyone …

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Who Needs Country Music?

Posted by: John Hanson

The following is a guest blog by Benjamin Bass who was the recorded sound technician in the Music Section of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. If you’ve ever had a conversation asking someone about what kind of music they are into, I’m sure you’ve heard something along the lines of …

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“Do You Have Music for Listening?”

Posted by: John Hanson

What else do you do with music?  Well, you can read it and write it, too.  Or learn about it, a particular piece or song or genre.  Or even analyze it. The Music Section has traditionally not provided music that is strictly for listening.  This is because such music is readily available and accessible to …