Editor's Note:  Our resident blogger, Christopher Richardson, recently placed first in the Young Artist category at the California Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) competition. We conducted this interview with Christopher to find out more about his latest accomplishment and how he prepared for the event. Q:  Christopher, congratulations on your recent victory in the Young Artist … [Read more...]

As both a musician and writer, I would like to explain why I celebrate the power music holds over our emotions. In particular, music is capable of producing two very different effects that are important to understand and appreciate: healing and hurting. Music accomplishes countless other purposes, but the way music elicits both positive and negative emotions is an important part of its magic. A … [Read more...]

We all love music (at least, I would hope everyone amongst the audience of a Steinway Society blog does), and for good reason. Music is lauded by some as a language that transcends barriers while remaining reflective of the style from which it originates. Music is one of the easiest ways to enjoy cultural diffusion, and can tug on the heartstrings or get one’s blood pumping. More simply stated, … [Read more...]

This is a companion piece to the blog entry, “The Benefits of Music Education.” These sources were compiled by Christopher Richardson as part of a school paper, and he generously agreed to share them with our blog readers. Not all the sources are open to the public online, but those that are, are linked accordingly. Barnes, Tom. "The Scientific Reasons We Should Teach Music to Kids in School." … [Read more...]

I’ve had one of those days in which I just want to contemplate stuff, and music naturally entered  my thoughts. What is music, other than a series of sound waves produced by vibrations in strings or in the air? What meaning does a piece of music have that appeals to us, that can evoke such powerful emotions? According to existentialists, life has no meaning until an individual makes it for him- … [Read more...]