Busy Kids Love Music

In 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!

In 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

Igor 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!

Igor 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.

We've reached the final episode of 2025, and we're celebrating the year with something special: The Great Re-Listen Challenge! This fun year-end episode invites your family to revisit some of our favorite musical adventures from the past year — all paired with themes like Road Trip Listen, Dance Party Listen, and Bedtime Listen.
Whether you've listened to Busy Kids Love Music for years or pressed play for the very first time in 2025, thank you for making this podcast part of your musical journey. This episode is all about reflecting, reconnecting, and rediscovering the music we explored together.
🎶 What Is the Great Re-Listen Challenge?
I've selected five favorite episodes from 2025, each perfect for winter break. Families can choose one, two, or try all five! To make it even more fun, download the Re-Listen Challenge Checklist linked below so kids can check off episodes as they listen.
🎧 Your 2025 Re-Listen Challenge Picks
1. Road Trip Listen — Episode 140: New Year's Day Parade Music
Start your travels with music bursting with energy! In this upbeat episode, we explore the marching bands and festive sounds that bring New Year's Day parades to life.
2. Creativity Time — Episode 148: Music Inspired by Planet Earth
Perfect for arts and crafts time. Listen while you draw, paint, or build — this imaginative, Earth-themed music is full of color and inspiration.
3. Bedtime Listen — Episode 161: Imogen Holst's Fall of the Leaf
Soft, peaceful, and calming. This gentle cello piece feels like autumn leaves drifting through the air — a beautiful way to wind down before bed.
4. Dance Party Listen — Episode 154: Folk Music of Colombia
Turn your living room into a dance floor! With joyful rhythms and irresistible beats, this episode will get everyone moving.
5. Story Lovers Listen — Episode 144: The Life of Blind Tom Wiggins
One of my favorite episodes of the year. Blind Tom's story is inspiring, powerful, and unforgettable — a must-hear for kids and grown-ups alike.
📄 Free Download: Re-Listen Challenge Checklist
Make listening interactive! Download your checklist here. Kids can track their progress and choose which listening adventure to do next.
💛 Thank You for an Amazing Year
Thank you for learning, listening, and exploring music with me throughout 2025. Join me for our first public enrollment period of the year for Busy Kids Do Piano and Busy Moms Do Piano beginning January 1st.