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Category: Blind Teachers

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19th-Century Tactile Music Notation in Spain

Posted by: Lindsay Conway

Did you know that systems of tactile music notation were created in the 19th century to enable people who were blind to read and write music? Today, we will learn about two systems that were developed and used in Spain before braille music code gained widespread adoption in the 20th century.

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Alternatives to Braille: 19th-Century Experiments in Tactile Music Notation in the United States

Posted by: Lindsay Conway

Did you know that systems of tactile music notation were created in the United States in the 19th century, long before braille music became the standard? Today, we will learn about two of these systems, both of which were developed at the New York Institute for the Blind.

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Junior Fellows Enhance Discoverability of Music Resources Related to Blind Musicians–Part 2

Posted by: Lindsay Conway

This is a guest blog post by Library of Congress Junior Fellow Analisa Caso. Analisa describes her contributions to the NLS Music Section during the 10-week-long program.

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Back to School with Braille Music, Band Books, and Bastien!

Posted by: Lindsay Conway

Head back to school with new braille music and new educational materials from the NLS Music Section! We have many new books for learning to read braille music, a variety of band instruments, and the piano.

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Spain in Song: Rodrigo’s Cuatro Madrigales Amatorios

Posted by: Lindsay Conway

Joaquin Rodrigo, one of the greatest Spanish composers of the 20th century, happened to be blind. Learn about how the essence of his artistry is to be found in his vocal music and how he became a poet, philosopher, and historian of Spain through his music.

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The French Connection: French Composers for Organ

Posted by: Katie Rodda

This blog post looks at the life of two renowned French composers for organ (Louis Vierne and Olivier Messiaen), and their compositions in the NLS Music Collection.