Take Note

Hanukkah

This week on Take Note, we’re honoring the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah that begins on December 14th and lasts until the 22nd. We’ll hear a traditional blessing plus some rousing Klezmer tunes.

Bodhi Day

December 8th is Bodhi Day, a holiday commemorating the Buddha achieving enlightenment. In this episode, we learn about Tan Dun’s work Buddha Passion.

Native American Heritage Month 2025

In honor of Native American Heritage Month, we’re highlighting the first Native American composer to win the Pulitzer Prize for music: Raven Chacon.

Latvian Independence Day

We’re celebrating this year’s Latvian Independence Day by learning about composer Jāzeps Vītols who played a vital role in nurturing the musical culture of the newly independent country in the early 20th century.

Veterans Day

Celebrate this Veterans Day with a full-scale work by Patrick Hawes dedicated to those who lost their lives in the first World War.

Puerto Rican Heritage Month

This week on Take Note, we’re honoring Puerto Rican Heritage month by learning about the musical traditions of the archipelago and well-known contemporary artists.

National Immigrants Day

This week on Take Note, we’re celebrating National Immigrants Day by learning about Carlos Simon’s orchestral work, This Land, a musical tribute to this nation’s ideals of hope and unity. 

Diwali

This week we are observing the Hindu celebration of Diwali. Along with traditions used to celebrate the festival, no Diwali is complete without dance and song.

Italian American Heritage Month

October is Italian American Heritage Month, and we’re celebrating with the music of Henry Mancini, one of history’s most prolific composers of film and television soundtracks. 

National Trumpet Day

October 10 is National Trumpet Day, and you can celebrate with trumpet music on Take Note. As aired on KBACH on October 7.