Podcast
Busy Kids Love Music
Hosted by Carly Seifert · EN
Busy Kids Love Music is a podcast for the whole family, brought to you by Carly Seifert, the creator of Busy Kids Do Piano. Join Carly as she explores musical styles, composers and terms. You'll listen to loads of great music on the way!
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Episodes
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Meet the String Family
2w ago00:10:32Tap to summarizeIf you've been listening along to our last few episodes, you've heard a lot of violin — Vivaldi wrote for it constantly, and it's easy to understand why. But the violin has a whole family of relatives, and today we're finally introducing all of them. In this episode, we meet the four members of the string family: The violin — the smallest, brightest member of the family, and the one you've been hearing in our Vivaldi series The viola — slightly larger, with a warmer and darker sound (think: a quiet, golden afternoon compared to the violin's bright, sunny morning) The cello — deep, rich, and almost voice-like in quality (you may remember it from Episode 30, when we listened to Bach's Cello Suites together!) The double bass — the largest member of the family, producing a sound so low you almost feel it as much as you hear it We also do a fun listening comparison near the end of the episode — all four instruments played back-to-back so your ears can really start to notice the differences. FREE PRINTABLE: STRING FAMILY SPOTTER SHEET I created a String Family Spotter sheet to go along with this episode. As you listen to music over the next few weeks — whether from this podcast or anything else you come across — you can use it to check off which string instruments you hear. It's a wonderful way to keep those listening ears active and engaged between episodes. 👉 Download your String Family Spotter Sheet here EPISODE PLAYLIST Want to keep listening to the music from today's episode? I've put together a playlist with all the pieces featured, which is perfect to use alongside your String Family Spotter sheet. 🎵 Listen to Episode 176 Playlist here Music featured in this episode: Beethoven: String Quartet in C-sharp minor, Op. 131 Vivaldi: Spring from The Four Seasons Bartók: Bratschenkonzert (viola concerto) — Tabea Zimmermann, Christoph Eschenbach Yo-Yo Ma: Bach Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, Prélude Xavier Foley: Foley Etude No. 12, "Reconstruction" (double bass) EPISODES MENTIONED Episode 173: Antonio Vivaldi — Life in Venice Episode 174: The Four Seasons Episode 175: Concerto for Two Violins in A Minor Episode 30: Bach's Cello Suites ABOUT BUSY KIDS LOVE MUSIC Busy Kids Love Music is a podcast for music-loving families, exploring the stories behind classical music one composer (and one piece) at a time. I'm your host, Carly Seifert, creator of Busy Kids Do Piano. Thanks so much for listening — I'm cheering you on as you listen, learn, and create music! 🎹 Learn more about Busy Kids Do Piano: busykidsdopiano.com/membership
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Concerto for Two Violins in A Minor
May 500:09:16Tap to summarizeIn today's episode, we're wrapping up our three-part series on Antonio Vivaldi with a piece that feels both intimate and expressive—the Concerto for Two Violins in A Minor. If you've been listening along with this series, you already know how much I've loved exploring Vivaldi with you. Today's piece gives us something a little different from The Four Seasons—and it invites us to listen in a whole new way. 🎧 What You'll Learn in This Episode In this episode, we explore: What makes a concerto unique (and why this one is extra special with two soloists) The difference between major and minor keys—and how that affects the mood of the music How Vivaldi uses musical "conversation" between two violins What counterpoint is (in a way that kids can actually hear and understand!) Why this piece has remained one of Vivaldi's most performed works 📝 Listening Activity (Free Printable) To go along with today's episode, I've created a Musical Conversation Map—a simple, engaging way for your child to follow along as they listen. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD IT As your child listens, they can: Notice when one violin "speaks" and the other responds Track when the violins echo or overlap Observe how the mood shifts throughout the piece (It's such a fun way to make listening feel active and meaningful.) 👂 Try This While You Listen As you listen to the concerto together, ask your child: Can you hear the two violins taking turns? Does one sound like it's asking a question and the other answering? Do they ever sound like they're finishing each other's musical sentences? You might be surprised how quickly they start to hear it. 🎥 Watch + Listen Want to take it a step further? Check out this playlist of performances of Concerto for 2 VIolins in A Minor. 🎹 Want to Go Further? Enrollment for Busy Kids Do Piano is now open! If your child is enjoying listening to music and you're ready to take the next step into playing, I'd love to support you inside the membership. 👉 Learn more: busykidsdopiano.com/membership 💛 Loved This Episode? If this episode (or this series!) has been helpful for your family: Share it with another music-loving family Leave a quick review—it truly helps more families find the show Thanks so much for being here and learning alongside your kids. I'm cheering you on as you create a home filled with music.
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The Four Seasons
Apr 2100:12:42Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Busy Kids Love Music, we continue our three-part series on Antonio Vivaldi with a deep dive into one of the most famous pieces of classical music ever written: The Four Seasons.Even if you've never heard Vivaldi's name before, there's a good chance you've heard this music! Today, we explore how Vivaldi used sound to paint vivid pictures of nature—from birds singing in spring to icy winds in winter.As you listen, you'll discover how music can tell a story without using any words. Download Your Four Seasons Weather Map Make listening interactive and fun! Download your Four Seasons Weather Map + Musical Meteorologist Badge by clicking here. With this printable, your child can: Draw or write what they hear in each season Act like a "musical weather reporter" Color and earn their Musical Meteorologist badge Key Concepts Concerto: A piece featuring a solo instrument (like the violin) with orchestra Program Music: Music that tells a story or paints a picture Baroque Style: Energetic rhythms, contrast, and expressive musical storytelling Links Mentioned in This Episode Explore different performances and interpretations of The Four Seasons with my curated playlist here. Enrollment for Busy Kids Do Piano opens May 1! If your child is inspired to not just listen to music—but to play it, join the waitlist here. Keep Listening Until next time… 🌿 Listen for the sounds of nature around you 🎶 Imagine how those sounds could become music And as always…keep listening, learning and making music!
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The Life of Antonio Vivaldi
Apr 700:11:16Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Busy Kids Love Music, we begin a brand-new three-part composer series all about Antonio Vivaldi—one of the most famous composers of the Baroque period. You may already recognize Vivaldi's name from some of his nature-inspired music, but in this series, we're slowing down to take a closer look at his life, his music, and what makes his style so unique. In today's episode, we explore Vivaldi's early life, family, and musical training, and discover how a boy growing up in Venice became a composer known all across Europe. Download Your Audio Treasure Map Make listening interactive! Click here to download your Audio Treasure Map to follow along and answer questions as you listen. This printable helps students: Listen more carefully Remember key details Engage with the story of the music What You'll Learn in This Episode 🎻 How Vivaldi's father helped shape his musical path 🌊 What it was like growing up in Venice—a city full of music and ⛪ Why Vivaldi became known as "The Red Priest" 🎶 How the Ospedale della Pietà influenced his career 🎻 What a concerto is 🎨 How Vivaldi "painted pictures" with music Links Mentioned in This Episode Be sure to check out the curated playlist of Vivaldi music by clicking here. Learn more about the Baroque period of music by listening to this podcast episode. Want to Go Further? If your child is inspired to not just learn about music—but actually play it… Check out Busy Kids Do Piano, where kids learn step-by-step through engaging, easy-to-follow lessons designed for busy families. Thanks for listening to Busy Kids Love Music! See you next time as we continue discovering the stories — and the sounds — behind classical music.
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Why Were So Many Women Composers Forgotten?
Mar 2400:09:10Tap to summarizeMarch is Women's History Month, and in this special episode of Busy Kids Love Music, we explore a powerful and important question: If women have been composing for centuries…why were so many of their names forgotten? Instead of focusing on just one composer, this episode looks at the bigger historical picture — uncovering the social, cultural, and publishing barriers that kept many brilliant women composers from being widely remembered. You'll hear excerpts from stunning works and discover why these composers deserve a permanent place in music history. Featured Composers & Works Fanny Mendelssohn (1805–1847) Piano Trio in D Minor, Op. 11 – I. Allegro molto vivace Clara Schumann (1819–1896) Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 7 Florence Price (1887–1953) Symphony No. 1 in E Minor Amy Beach (1867–1944) Romance, Op. 23 In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why women composers were often discouraged from writing large-scale orchestral works How publishing, performance, and teaching influence which music survives Why genre bias shaped the way music history was written How modern musicians are rediscovering and performing long-overlooked works Why listening itself can be an act of honoring history Listener Challenge This week, choose a female composer you don't know well. Listen to: One of the podcast episodes linked below OR A piece of her music A free printable listening guide is available here to help you go deeper. Previous podcast episodes on female composers to check out and use with your Listening Challenge printable: Episode 15: Fanny Mendelssohn | Busy Kids Do Piano Episode 42: Clara Schumann | Busy Kids Do Piano Episode 66: The Life and Music of Florence Price | Busy Kids Do Piano Episode 92: Lili Boulanger | Busy Kids Do Piano Episode 116: Nina Simone | Busy Kids Do Piano Episode 118: Fanny Crosby | Busy Kids Do Piano Episode 160: The Life of Imogen Holst | Busy Kids Do Piano Episode 171: Margaret Bonds | Busy Kids Do Piano Thanks for listening to Busy Kids Love Music! See you next time as we continue discovering the stories — and the sounds — behind classical music.
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Margaret Bonds
Mar 1000:07:48Tap to summarizeIn our last episode, we explored the vibrant creativity of the Harlem Renaissance. Today, we zoom in on one extraordinary composer who stood right in the center of that artistic world: Margaret Bonds. Margaret Bonds was a pianist, composer, teacher, and trailblazer whose music blended spirituals, jazz, and classical traditions into something uniquely powerful. She believed music could speak up for fairness, dignity, and hope—and she used her voice boldly. In this episode, you'll discover: How Bonds' childhood home in Chicago became a gathering place for Black artists and performers Her early success as a teenage piano soloist with a major orchestra Her studies at Northwestern University and how she learned to combine classical forms with jazz and spiritual melodies Her creative partnership with poet Langston Hughes How her music reflected the hopes and struggles of the Civil Rights Movement 🎧 Featured Pieces in This Episode 🎹 Troubled Water A virtuosic piano piece that weaves together the spiritual "Wade in the Water" and the hymn "Amazing Grace" inside a classical sonata structure. Listen for how Bonds blends traditions seamlessly. 🎵 Three Dream Portraits (with Langston Hughes) A song cycle based on Hughes's poetry, including the powerful setting of his poem "I, Too." Bonds' piano writing doesn't just accompany the singer—it helps tell the story. ✨ The Ballad of the Brown King A cantata that tells the Christmas story from the perspective of Balthazar, one of the Three Kings. This moving collaboration highlights Bonds' gift for capturing the emotional heart of poetry. ✊ Montgomery Variations Inspired by the Montgomery Bus Boycott, this orchestral work reflects the courage and determination of the Civil Rights Movement. Bonds believed music could be a voice for justice—and this piece shows exactly how. Why Margaret Bonds Matters Margaret Bonds helped open doors for future generations of Black musicians. Though her music was overlooked for many years after her death in 1972, it is now being rediscovered and performed on concert stages around the world. Her legacy connects: Poetry and music Tradition and innovation Personal expression and American history Listening Challenge As you listen to her music this week, ask yourself: Can you hear elements of jazz or spirituals inside classical forms? How does the piano part help tell the story? What emotions does the music bring out in you? 🎧 Explore the curated Margaret Bonds playlist by clicking here. If your family enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend and help more kids discover the stories behind classical music. Thanks for listening to Busy Kids Love Music!
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Music During the Harlem Renaissance
Feb 2400:08:37Tap to summarizeIn this special Black History Month episode of Busy Kids Love Music, we travel back about 100 years to Harlem, New York—an exciting neighborhood overflowing with creativity, poetry, dancing, painting, and bold new musical sounds. This remarkable time in American history is known as the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural "rebirth" that took place during the 1920s and 1930s. In this episode, we'll explore how music helped shape the Harlem Renaissance—and how the Harlem Renaissance changed the future of American music forever. What Was the Harlem Renaissance? The word renaissance means "rebirth." During this period, Harlem became a gathering place for African American artists, writers, and musicians who were creating fresh ideas and sharing their voices with the world. Families arriving during the Great Migration brought musical traditions from many parts of the country. When these styles blended together in one vibrant neighborhood, something extraordinary happened. In this episode, you'll meet some of the influential artists who helped define Harlem's sound, explore some famous Harlem venues and listen to examples of colorful music with jazz, blues and big band sounds! Listen Along! Check out the curated Harlem Renaissance playlist here. As you listen, see if you can spot: A steady beat that makes you want to tap your foot Instruments taking turns playing solos Fast piano patterns Bright brass sounds like trumpets and trombones Coming Up Next… In the next episode of Busy Kids Love Music, we'll focus on composer Margaret Bonds, who collaborated closely with Harlem Renaissance poets and blended classical music with spirituals and jazz colors—carrying the movement's spirit into concert halls and classrooms. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss it!
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The Rite of Spring
Feb 1000:07:56Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Busy Kids Love Music, we wrap up our three-part series on composer Igor Stravinsky with one of the most famous — and most shocking — pieces in music history: The Rite of Spring. When this ballet premiered in Paris in 1913, audiences expected graceful dancing and pretty melodies. Instead, they heard pounding rhythms, clashing sounds, and music that felt wild and unpredictable. Some people loved it… and others were so surprised that they began shouting during the performance! We'll explore why Stravinsky's music sounded so different from anything audiences had heard before and how this bold piece eventually became one of the most important works of the 20th century. Get ready to listen for thunder-like drums, blasting horns, and rhythms that feel like the earth shaking beneath your feet! What You'll Learn in This Episode What a ballet is and how music and dance work together The ancient spring rituals that inspired The Rite of Spring Why the music sounded shocking in 1913 What made the rhythms and harmonies so unusual The famous "Rite of Spring riot" How this piece changed the future of classical music Listening Challenge for Kids When you listen to The Rite of Spring, don't try to hear it as calm or gentle music. Instead, imagine: Animals running Thunder crashing The ground shaking People dancing with all their strength Listen for: Loud drums Blasting horns Fast, exciting rhythms This is music that feels alive! Listen to The Rite of Spring We recommend listening to the full ballet here: 👉 Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring" with Gustavo Dudamel & the LA Phil About Busy Kids Love Music Busy Kids Love Music is the podcast that helps families explore the music of composers, cultures, and traditions from around the world. Hosted by piano teacher Carly Seifert, each episode includes kid-friendly storytelling, guided listening tips, and musical discoveries perfect for homeschool lessons, classroom use, or curious music lovers of all ages. Want More Music Activities? Check out Carly's online piano and music appreciation programs: Busy Kids Do Piano — Piano lessons made simple and fun Busy Kids Love Music Podcast Archive — Hundreds of composer adventures Music History Courses & Homeschool Resources
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The Firebird
Jan 2700:06:53Tap to summarizeIgor Stravinsky became famous almost overnight thanks to one magical ballet — The Firebird. In this episode, I'll take you inside the glowing, mysterious world of this Russian fairy tale, filled with enchanted creatures, an evil sorcerer, brave heroes, and powerful music that tells the story without words. Based on centuries-old Russian folk tales, The Firebird follows Prince Ivan, who captures a magical Firebird and receives a glowing feather in return for her freedom. That feather later helps him defeat Kashchei the Immortal, an evil sorcerer who has trapped princesses and turned travelers into stone. With the Firebird's help, Ivan breaks Kashchei's spell, frees the princesses, and brings peace back to the enchanted forest. Stravinsky's music brings every moment of this story to life — from the shimmering Firebird theme to the pounding rhythms of Kashchei's Infernal Dance and the glowing, triumphant Finale. 🎵 What You'll Learn in This Episode The fairy-tale story behind The Firebird Who the Firebird, Prince Ivan, and Kashchei are How Stravinsky uses leitmotifs (musical themes for characters and ideas) How this ballet made Stravinsky famous at just 27 years old Why The Firebird is still one of the most loved orchestral works today Kids will also learn how composers use music the same way movies do — giving characters their own musical "voices," just like Darth Vader, Jaws, or Hogwarts! 🎻 Featured Music in This Episode Suite from The Firebird (1919) – Toronto Symphony Orchestra Infernal Dance of King Kashchei Finale from The Firebird – Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel 📺 Listen & Watch Explore famous recordings and watch scenes from The Firebird ballet here: 👉Playlist for Episode 168 🎼 What's Next? This is Episode 2 in our 3-part Igor Stravinsky series. In our final episode, we'll dive into his most shocking and controversial work: The Rite of Spring — the piece that caused a riot! Until next time… Keep listening and keep learning — because Busy Kids Love Music!
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The Life of Igor Stravinsky
Jan 1300:07:39Tap to summarizeIgor Stravinsky, Part 1: The Composer Who Changed Music In this episode of Busy Kids Love Music, we begin a brand-new three-part series all about one of the most bold and imaginative composers in music history: Igor Stravinsky. From ballet stages to concert halls, Stravinsky's music changed the way people thought about rhythm, sound, and storytelling in music. In Part 1, we explore Stravinsky's life story—where he grew up, how he was introduced to music, and how he became one of the most important composers of the 20th century. We also learn how Stravinsky's life was shaped by major world events, including two world wars, which caused his family to move from Russia to Switzerland, then France, and eventually the United States. Despite all these changes, Stravinsky continued to write groundbreaking music, proving that creativity can thrive even in difficult times. In this episode, we also explore what makes Stravinsky's music sound so different from other composers. What's Next in the Series? This episode is just the beginning of our Stravinsky adventure! In the next two episodes, we'll explore: Episode 2: The Firebird – A magical ballet filled with glittering orchestral sounds and fairy-tale characters Episode 3: The Rite of Spring – The shocking, groundbreaking work that caused one of the most famous moments in music history 🎧 Listen along with our Stravinsky playlist here Thanks for listening to Busy Kids Love Music! Join us next time as we step into the magical world of The Firebird.
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