Tagged Music
Literature Meets Music with Shakespeare Is for Everyone
William Shakespeare is a towering figure in English literature, but his contributions were not limited to written work; he also had a major influence on classical music. A new webinar from the Free Library’s Literature Department…
African American History in the Fleisher Collection
Lately, there has been a resurgence of interest in African Americans' contributions to the classical music genre. Boston Conservatory is set to have a Florence Price Birthday Celebration Concert ; the film Chevalier (released…
Sundays on Stage is Back … on Saturdays this Season!
Spread the word: Sundays on Stage is back this spring! This season we will host live performances on Saturdays in the Montgomery Auditorium at Parkway Central Library . After nearly four years of virtual performances, Sundays on Stage…
Rediscovering Louis Ballard at the Fleisher
The Edwin A. Fleisher Collection of Orchestral Music team is thrilled about Fort Smith Symphony Orchestra’s latest album, Louis Wayne Ballard : a stunning compilation of recorded performances of Louis W. Ballard’s…
Nurturing Your Baby in the Womb: The Benefits of Prenatal Education
Pregnancy is an amazing journey filled with excitement, wonder, and the anticipation of meeting your little one for the first time. Even before birth, it’s a time when parents typically start thinking about how they can provide…
Faces of the Free Library: Meet Mark!
As patrons may know, the Free Library has been expanding staffing efforts throughout the library system in recent months. With all the hiring excitement, there’s a mix of both new and familiar faces in all of the branches, and you…
50 Years of Hip Hop: Books Authored by the Artists
In 2023, the Free Library is observing the 50th anniversary of hip hop with a limited-edition library card design commissioned by local artist Akinseye Brown . In honor of this milestone, here are…
Introducing the Free Library's 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop Art Card
The Free Library of Philadelphia is celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip hop with a limited-edition art card available at ALL Free Library locations — while supplies last! This extra-cool card design was commissioned by…
50 Years of Hip Hop: Essential Reading in Genre History
This summer, the Free Library is observing the 50th anniversary of hip hop with a limited-edition library card design commissioned by local artist Akinseye Brown . In honor of this milestone, here are 15 must-reads from the…
Funky Five Plus One Questions with Akinseye Brown
Artist/Illustrator Akinseye Brown (pronounced Ah-KEEN-shay-yay) was selected to design the 50 Years of Hip-Hop commemorative library card for the Free Library of Philadelphia. Akinseye has over 20 years of experience in drawing and…
Picture Book Highlights | 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop
Get ready to party! We are celebrating 50 years since hip hop entered the music scene and changed everything. Learn how it all began and see for yourself how the music, the beat and the rhythm can make storytelling even more fun!…
The Big Send Off of One Book, One Philadelphia
Thursday, June 22 marks the finale of One Book, One Philadelphia and we over here in the One Book office are working up the nerve to say goodbye to this incredible season of events. After nine weeks of community workshops,…
Enjoy a Full Day of Music at Parkway Central Library on June 21
Celebrate the Summer Solstice (Wednesday, June 21) with a full day of free musical programming at the Free Library! A variety of programs for all ages will be happening throughout the day at our Parkway Central Branch . Kick off the…
The Free Library Observes the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop
Hip hop's 50th anniversary represents a milestone for an American genre of music and art that began in the 1970s at block parties in New York City — specifically the Bronx. Born out of the intersecting communities of the…
Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage in the Fleisher Collection
The Edwin A. Fleisher Collection of Orchestral Music at the Free Library of Philadelphia offers a closing theme as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month comes to an end for 2023. As we share a sampling of the rich cultural…
Confession: I’m an Accidental Music Librarian
Hi, my name is Gillian and I’m an accidental music librarian. Specifically, I’m an accidental orchestral music librarian. I recently joined the staff of The Edwin A. Fleisher Collection of Orchestral Music (Fleisher…
What's Your New Year's Resolution for 2023?
We're about to embark on a new year, and even if you're not a New Year's Resolution person, you might view this time of year - and the turning of the calendar - as a chance to evaluate goals for the next 12…
Enjoy Philly Celebrates Jazz Month at the Free Library!
Spring symbolizes resurrection. The awakening from Winter into new birth, new spirit, new possibilities. During April 2022 - Jazz Appreciation Month , Philadelphia Jazz Project in collaboration with the Free Library of…
The Free Library and You: New Year’s Resolutions in 2022!
Can you believe we’re about to turn the page on another (long, strange, COVID-19 filled...) year? I know I can't! While I've never really been a big New Year's Resolution person, I do appreciate how the…
Celebrating Five Years of the Musical Instrument Collection at the Free Library
The Free Library’s Musical Instrument Collection is now as old as the number of lines on a musical staff—on September 25, 2021, the MIC turned 5! It was an ominous trek leading up to this milestone. That goes for other…
For The Love of Hip Hop Exhibit
In collaboration with artist rod jones ii, this exhibition celebrates 50 years of hip hop and brings together Free Library staff and community members to answer the question, “When did you fall in love with Hip Hop?” …
We Are What We Eat: An Exhibition from Special Collections
The Free Library’s exhibition, We Are What We Eat , explores the intersection of food, community, and identity. With recipes and cooking techniques passed down through generations, culinary heritage helps preserve flavors and…
Kid's Art and Music Club
Learn about our instrument of the week, and even try it out! Then, we will listen to music showcasing our star instrument while completing an art project. For children, ages 4 and up. most Mondays through August 12. An ASL…
Kid's Art and Music Club
Learn about our instrument of the week, and even try it out! Then, we will listen to music showcasing our star instrument while completing an art project. For children, ages 4 and up. most Mondays through August 12. An ASL…
Kid's Art and Music Club
Learn about our instrument of the week, and even try it out! Then, we will listen to music showcasing our star instrument while completing an art project. For children, ages 4 and up. most Mondays through August 12. An ASL…
Ants on a Log Pride Concert
Ants on a Log plays music for children and other childlike people. Their award-winning music centers positivity, social justice, and silliness and has been featured widely in national media,…
Kid's Art and Music Club
Learn about our instrument of the week, and even try it out! Then, we will listen to music showcasing our star instrument while completing an art project. For children, ages 4 and up. most Mondays through August 12. An ASL…
Ants on a Log Family Concert!
Join us for a musical performance by local group, Ants on a Log. Ants on a Log concerts are fun and interactive, full of humor and harmony, justice and joy! This program is recommended for ages 4-11 and will be…
Kid's Art and Music Club
Learn about our instrument of the week, and even try it out! Then, we will listen to music showcasing our star instrument while completing an art project. For children, ages 4 and up. most Mondays through August 12. An ASL…
Kid's Art and Music Club
Learn about our instrument of the week, and even try it out! Then, we will listen to music showcasing our star instrument while completing an art project. For children, ages 4 and up. most Mondays through August 12. An ASL…
A String, Sing, Story & Musical Thing for Juneteenth!
Save the date for this incredible Juneeteenth celebration featuring entertainment and live music! Come hear storytellers and vocalists perform songs centering Philly and its Black historical legends. Watch stiltwalkers, participate…
Kid's Art and Music Club
Learn about our instrument of the week, and even try it out! Then, we will listen to music showcasing our star instrument while completing an art project. For children, ages 4 and up. most Mondays through August 12. An ASL…
Samuel R. Delany | Pride Month: How Science Fiction Dances to the Music of Time
“A visionary novelist & a revolutionary chronicler of gay life” ( The New Yorker ), Samuel R. Delany speaks with Music Department library trainee & Hollywood indie film composer Mark Inchoco on the intersections…
Music and Movement Storytime
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and movement that celebrates all things music! For ages 7 and under and their caregivers.
Ants on a Log Pride Concert
Ants on a Log plays music for children and other childlike people. Their award-winning music centers positivity, social justice, and silliness and has been featured widely in national media,…
Story Drumming with Philly Talking Drums
Monday, June 10th at 4pm Boost skills in music, language and literacy while having fun! Join us for an interactive program which combines reading with drumming. This program is for school age children.
PreSchool Dance Party!
Kids, dance the afternoon away with our favorite musician Jessica Carroll ! Jessica returns to entertain us with her special collection of songs to help us get into the mood for summer! Children under 7 must be accompanied by an adult.…
Music and Movement Storytime
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and movement that celebrates all things music! For ages 7 and under and their caregivers.
Ants on a Log Family Concert
Ants on a Log Concerts are fun and interactive, full of humor and harmony, justice and joy! Recommended for ages 4-11.
Gabe Preston's Jazz Trio Concert
Gabe Preston's trio will be performing original and classical jazz tunes. All the books will be dancing and swinging and you’ll be invited to do so too! 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Smithsonian Global Sound for Libraries
With an extraordinary array of more than 35,000 individual tracks of streaming music, spoken word, and natural and human-made sounds, users can listen to performances by American folk icons such as Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly, Pete Seeger…
Popular Music Library
Popluar Music Library contains a wide range of popular music from around the world, including hundreds of thousands of tracks from major genres in pop music, including alternative, country, Christian, electronic, hip-hop, metal, punk,…
LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com)
Learn business, creative, and technology skills to achieve your personal and professional goals.
Jazz Music Library
This resource will be the largest and most comprehensive collection of jazz available online. This release includes 4,933 albums and 59,860 tracks. It and is growing regularly.
Gale in Context | Elementary (formerly Kids InfoBits) *
Elementary students in kindergarten through grade five will find age-appropriate content covering a broad range of educational topics such as animals, arts, geography, health, literature, people, social studies, technology, etc. Kids…
Gale eBooks (formerly Gale Virtual Reference Library)
Explore over 500 nonfiction, fully searchable reference titles. Access accurate information on science, literature, history, business, and more.
Contemporary World Music
Reggae, worldbeat, neo-traditional, world fusion, Balkanic jazz, African film, Bollywood, Arab swing and jazz, and other genres such as traditional music - Indian classical, fado, flamenco, klezmer, zydeco, gospel, gagaku, and more.
Classical Music Library
A comprehensive database of distinguished classical recordings offered in streaming format. The Classical Music Library also includes anthology playlists linked to the major music history and appreciation textbooks
Paul Alexander | Bitter Crop: The Heartache and Triumph of Billie Holiday’s Last Year
In conversation with award-winning journalist and broadcaster, Tracey Matisak Paul Alexander ’s bestselling and acclaimed biographies include portraits of James Dean, Sylvia Plath, John McCain, and J. D. Salinger, the last of which…
Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter | The Upcycled Self: A Memoir on the Art of Becoming Who We Are
In conversation with Airea D. Matthews The winner of three Grammy Awards and three NAACP Image Awards, Tariq Trotter , aka Black Thought , is the MC and co-founder of The Roots. The Philly-based hip-hop group has produced 11 albums…
Bernie Taupin | Scattershot: Life, Music, Elton and Me
In conversation with novelist and musician Wesley Stace Legendary English song lyricist Bernie Taupin has worked with Elton John since 1967 and has written the lyrics for most of the iconic performer’s hits, including “Rocket Man,”…
Michelle Zauner | Crying in H Mart
In conversation with Homay King The lead vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist of the indie rock outfit Japanese Breakfast, Michelle Zauner has garnered wide acclaim for her shoegaze-inspired pop earworms. These works include Psychopomp…
Guthrie P. Ramsey, Jr. | Who Hears Here: On Black Music, Pasts, & Present
In conversation with Marc Lamont Hill Professor emeritus of Music at the University of Pennsylvania, Guthrie P. Ramsey, Jr. is a celebrated musicologist, composer, pianist, and music historian. He is the author of Race Music: Black…
Aidan Levy | Saxophone Colossus: The Life and Music of Sonny Rollins
In conversation with Nate Chinen The author of Dirty Blvd.: The Life and Music of Lou Reed and editor of Patti Smith on Patti Smith: Interviews and Encounters , Aiden Levy played the baritone saxophone in the Stan Rubin…
Patti Smith | A Book of Days
A couple of songs and stories from a memorable evening with Patti Smith and Tony Shanahan--and a great audience--at the library.
Ross Gay | Inciting Joy: Essays with Major Jackson | A Beat Beyond: Selected Prose of Major Jackson
Ross Gay is the author of The Book of Delights , a life-affirming collection of short lyric essays that reminds readers to appreciate so-called ordinary wonders, even during turbulent times. His several volumes of poetry include Catalog…
Jann Wenner | Like a Rolling Stone: A Memoir
In conversation with David Fricke, senior editor for Rolling Stone and SiriusXM host The co-founder, co-editor, and publisher of Rolling Stone , Jann Wenner has influenced the ways in which the world perceives music, politics, and pop…
Margo Jefferson | Constructing A Nervous System: A Memoir
In conversation with Tamala Edwards, anchor, 6ABC Action News morning edition “A national treasure” ( Vanity Fair ), Margo Jefferson won the National Book Critics Circle Award for her memoir Negroland , an examination of her upbringing…
One Book, One Philadelphia 2022 Kickoff Celebration
To launch the 20th annual program season of One Book, One Philadelphia, join us for a conversation with Quiara Alegría Hudes, author of My Broken Language--the 2022 One Book featured title--and Lilliam Rivera, author of Never Look Back,…
Jennifer Lin | Beethoven in Beijing: Stories from the Philadelphia Orchestra’s Historic Journey to China
In conversation with Nydia Han, Consumer Investigative Reporter and co-anchor of 6ABC Action News Sunday mornings A reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer for 31 years, Jennifer Lin worked as an international correspondent in China, a…
Jeremy Denk | Every Good Boy Does Fine: A Love Story, in Music Lessons
In conversation with Peter Dobrin, classical music critic and culture writer, The Philadelphia Inquirer One of classical music’s most celebrated pianists, Jeremy Denk has performed with ensembles such as the National Symphony…
Garrett Hongo | The Perfect Sound: A Memoir in Stereo
In conversation with Major Jackson Garrett Hongo was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for the poetry collection The River of Heaven . His other books of poetry include Yellow Light and Coral Road . The distinguished professor in the…
Brendan Slocumb | The Violin Conspiracy
In conversation with Stanford Thompson, founder and executive director of Play On Philly A public and private school music educator for more than 20 years, Brendan Slocumb has performed on violin with the Washington Metropolitan…
Robby Krieger: | Set the Night on Fire: Living, Dying, and Playing Guitar With the Doors
In conversation with David Fricke, senior editor for Rolling Stone and SiriusXM host One of Rolling Stone ’s “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”, Robby Krieger is best known as a member of the legendary rock band The Doors. He wrote…
Jackie Kay | Bessie Smith: A Poet’s Biography of a Blues Legend
In conversation with Sapphire The National Poet Laureate of Scotland from 2016 to 2021, Jackie Kay is the author of the celebrated poetry collections Life Mask , Off Colour , and The Adoption Papers , winner of the Scottish Arts…
James Lapine | Putting It Together: How Stephen Sondheim and I Created “Sunday in the Park with George”
In conversation with Benj Pasek, Tony Award-winning songwriter and New York Times bestselling author of Dear Evan Hansen A celebrated director, playwright, screenwriter, and librettist, James Lapine earned three Tony Awards for “Best…
Bobby Rush | I Ain’t Studdin’ Ya: My American Blues Story
In conversation with Jonny Meister, host of The Blues Show on WXPN In his five decades in blues music, Grammy-winner Bobby Rush has recorded hundreds of his own songs, collaborated with the likes of Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters, and…
Rickie Lee Jones | Last Chance Texaco: Chronicles of an American Troubadour
Carole Phillips Memorial Lecture In conversation with singer, songwriter, and novelist Wesley Stace Acclaimed for “her hauntingly beautiful voice and fearless experimentation” (NPR), singer–-songwriter Rickie Lee Jones has remained one…