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PODCAST

Take Note

Take Note is a ninety-second weekly dive into music history where we choose topics based on music’s intersection with national and international cultural celebrations. Highlighting diverse topics within the history of music, Take Note aims to promote inclusivity in the world of classical music. Each Take Note episode has its own focus whether fun or educational so that listeners from all backgrounds will find something to enjoy from week to week. From holidays like Cinco de Mayo and the 4th of July

society & culture music history

All Episodes

1:30

Broadway Musicals Day

Take Note ·

2026/09/30

September 29th is Broadway Musicals Day, and we’re celebrating with what some enthusiasts and scholars consider the first example of a staged musical production: The Black Crook.

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1:30

Chuseok

Take Note ·

2026/09/23

This week, we’re recognizing the Korean holiday of Chuseok, the harvest festival that falls from September 24th to 26th. Among Chuseok observances, a significant historical practice is "ganggangsullae" (강강술래), a communal dance in which participants join hands in the shape of the full moon and act out various scenes from rural agricultural life accompanied by traditional music.

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1:30

Ge'ez New Year

Take Note ·

2026/09/09

On this episode, we ring in the Ethiopian and Eritrean New Year, which is marked by the end of the region’s rainy season. Ge’ez New Year is also called Enkutatash in Amharic and Kudus Yohannes in Ge’ez and Tigrinya. We’ll hear some celebratory music and learn about the traditional instruments of the region.

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1:30

Krishna Janmashtami

Take Note ·

2026/09/02

Krishna Janmashtami is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. The celebration falls on Friday, September 4th and is celebrated with devotional chant and singing, which we’ll hear in a recording of the Hare Krishna Maha mantra.

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1:30

National Radio Day

Take Note ·

2026/08/19

In this episode we celebrate National Radio Day by taking a look back at the history of classical music aired on radio.

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1:29

National Hip-hop Day

Take Note ·

2026/08/12

This August 11th, marks the 3rd annual National Hip-hop Celebration Day! Listen to learn about this iconic American genre - its influences and its place in significant American music.

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1:29

Ker Puja

Take Note ·

2026/08/05

On this week’s Take Note, we’re honoring the Hindu holiday of Ker Puja, which occurs on August 7th. It’s a solemn celebration primarily observed in the Northeastern Indian state of Tripura. Listen to hear the sound of the bamboo flute sumui.

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1:29

Asalha Puja

Take Note ·

2026/07/29

This week on Take Note, we’re honoring the Theravada Buddhist festival Asalha Puja, which commemorates the Buddha’s first sermon. We’ll hear traditional Sri Lankan Buddhist music and learn about the instrument horanawa.

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1:30

Gawai Dayak

Take Note ·

2026/06/03

Celebrated annually on June 1st and 2nd, Gawai Dayak is the Harvest Festival celebrated in the state of Sarawak, Malaysia on Borneo. This week, we learn about the dance Ngajat and the instruments that accompany it.

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1:29

Africa Day

Take Note ·

2026/05/27

May 25th is Africa Day! This week on Take Note learn about two of Africa's premiere musicologists, Akin Euba and J. H. Kwabena Nketia.

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1:29

Luilak

Take Note ·

2026/05/20

May 23rd is Luilak, a Dutch holiday designed to energize the lazy. Learn about this clangorous celebration this week on Take Note.

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1:29

Lei Day

Take Note ·

2026/04/29

In Hawaii, May 1st is Lei Day, a time to celebrate the Aloha spirit and honor Native Hawaiian traditions. In this episode, learn about hapa haole music and how to let it inspire you to discover the authentic music of Hawaii.

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1:29

Organ Day

Take Note ·

2026/04/22

Happy Organ Day! This week on Take Note, celebrate this glorious and versatile instrument with Saint-Saëns’ Symphony No. 3 in C Minor and Larsen’s Aspects of Glory.

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1:29

Songkran

Take Note ·

2026/04/15

The Thai New Year Songkran brings many celebrations and water related festivities. Listen to this episode to hear the song Ram Wong Wan Songkran by innovative composer Eua Sunthornsanan.

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1:29

Passover

Take Note ·

2026/04/08

This week on Take Note, we're honoring the Jewish holiday of Passover that begins on April 1st and lasts until the 9th. We'll hear Erich Wolfgang Korngold's poignant work, A Passover Psalm.

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1:30

Eid al-Fitr

Take Note ·

2026/03/18

In this episode, celebrate Eid Al-Fitr by exploring the Arabic song that came to be associated with the holiday.

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1:30

Women's History Month 2026

Take Note ·

2026/03/11

Happy Women’s History Month from us here at Take Note! In this episode we hear about two compositions that align with this year’s Women’s History Month theme: “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future.”

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1:29

Black History Month

Take Note ·

2026/02/24

February is Black History Month, and today we're learning about two remarkable composers: William Grant Still and Valerie Coleman.

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1:29

Carnival

Take Note ·

2026/02/18

Celebrated this year between February 12th and 17th, Carnival is one of the most widely varied holidays in the Christian tradition; and this week on Take Note, we’re learning about music inspired by the holiday.

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1:29

National Ukulele Day

Take Note ·

2026/02/04

February 2nd is Ukulele Day, and this episode is all about the small but mighty instrument most commonly associated with Hawaii.

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