Good to Know

Reminding you that all music was once new ® • with host John Birge

For Women's History Month, we're highlighting composers, conductors and performers who have helped shape the face of classical music. Here are 10 contemporary women composers whom you should add to your music rotation.

The newly opened National Museum of African American Music in Nashville guides guests on a path through the history and significance of music from the African diaspora, including classical music.

"Classical music has a problem with race," Philip Ewell says. The New York City associate music professor speaks widely on that topic and what it means for classical music in the future.

The winter solstice is one of the oldest celebrated traditions of the year, with remembrances going back as far as the 4th century. Here are six musical selections that represent this ancient holiday.

There are a few reasons behind our attraction to classical music when it comes to romance.

Early American composers could have shaken off their European sound and mined the rich trove of African American music. They didn't. And one historian believes we're worse off because of it.

When you hear the term 'film score,' perhaps the themes from your favorite movie come to mind -- the suspenseful bass melody from 'Jaws' or the magical 'Hedwig's Theme' from 'Harry Potter,' both by John Williams. But here are other film composers you might not know as well.

The concert band is an ensemble that goes by many names: wind ensemble, wind symphony, wind band, wind orchestra, symphonic band — or just plain "band." But what exactly is a concert band?

Members of the African diaspora have contributed to classical music since there was a "classical music." Here are nine notable performances of black pieces of music to explore.