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 to World Day of Social Justice and National Eisteddfod, Take Note covers a breadth of topics displaying the many roles music plays in our world.
Episodes

Jan 28, 2026
Jan 28, 2026
1 min
Join us in celebrating Up Helly Aa, a time marking the end of the Yule season. In this episode, we learn about Scottish folk music.

Jan 21, 2026
Jan 21, 2026
1 min
In this episode, celebrate Mariachi Day by exploring the origins of mariachi music and what led it to becoming widely celebrated today.

Jan 14, 2026
Jan 14, 2026
1 min
January 13 is Korean American day! On this episode we listen to Juri Seo’s Toy Store, a work that draws inspiration from her Korean and American musical and cultural influences.

Jan 7, 2026
Jan 7, 2026
1 min
January is Music American Heritage Month. On this episode of Take Note we take a closer look at the often overlooked contributions that Muslim Americans have made to America’s quintessential genre of music, jazz!

Dec 30, 2025
Dec 30, 2025
1 min
This week on Take Note, we’re celebrating Kwanzaa and the music that plays an important role as one of the binding forces bringing African and African American cultures together.

Dec 23, 2025
Dec 23, 2025
1 min
This holiday season, explore rarely-heard contributions to the Christmas playlist from Franz Liszt and Arnold Schoenberg.

Dec 17, 2025
Dec 17, 2025
1 min
This week we’re learning about the ancient Roman winter festival Saturnalia, a time of feasting, merriment, gift-giving, and more.

Dec 10, 2025
Dec 10, 2025
1 min
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.

Dec 3, 2025
Dec 3, 2025
1 min
December 8th is Bodhi Day, a holiday commemorating the Buddha achieving enlightenment. In this episode, we learn about Tan Dun’s work Buddha Passion.

Nov 26, 2025
Nov 26, 2025
1 min
In honor of Native American Heritage Month, we’re highlighting the first Native American composer to win the Pulitzer Prize for music: Raven Chacon.








