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John Philip Sousa (1854-1932)
Born in America on 1854, John Philip Sousa was famous for his marches even though he wanted to be and Opera writer. He is most well known today for being the conductor of The President's Own Marine Band. Some of his most famous pieces include "El Captain", "The Stars and Stripes", and "Washington Post March". -
Scott Joplin (1868-1917)
Born in 1868, Scott Joplin was a famous African-American composer and pianist. He became famous for his many Ragtime compositions. Because of this he became known as the King of Ragtime. Some of his most famous pieces include "The Entertainer" and "Maple Leaf Rag". -
Charles Ives (1874-1954)
Born in 1874 Charles Ives was a famous American composer whose work was largely ignored when he was younger. It was only near his death when his music started to become popular. Some of his most famous pieces include "The Unanswered Question", "Piano Sonata No. 2", and "Emerson Concerto". -
Nadia Boulanger (1887-1979)
Born on 1887 in France, Nadia Boulanger was a famous conductor and teacher. She taught many of the most famous composers of The 20th century. Some of her students include Lennox Berkeley, Easley Blackwood, and Marc Blitzstein. -
Max Steiner (1888-1971)
Maximilian Steiner was an Austrian born American composer for theatre and films. He was a child prodigy and wrote his first operetta at twelve and was virtually a professional at fifteen. He has made music for "Little Woman" and "Death of a Scoundrel" -
William Grant Still (1895-1978)
Born in America on 1895, William Grant Still was a composer with almost 200 different works. He is famous for being the first African-American composer to have a symphony performed by a professional orchestra. Some famous works include "Symphony No. 1", "Darker America", and "Troubled Island". -
George Gershwin (1898-1937)
Born in 1898, George Gershwin was a famous pianist and composer who was famous for both his Jazz and Classical style. He was known to blend his jazz and classical techniques. Some of his famous pieces include "Porgy and Bess" and "Rhapsody in Blue". -
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Archduke Franz Ferdinand, monarch of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, is assassinated in Sarajevo. This event directly leads to the outbreak World War I. -
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World War I
The Great War, as it is also known, saw most of the world fall into conflict in one of the most deadly wars in human history. Many traditional orchestral performances began to decline as many musicians were sent to fight in the war. War songs became popular during this time. -
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Russian Revolution
Due to many underlining factors, Russia broke out into a brutal Civil War nearing the end of World War I that would lead in the rise of the Soviet Union. During this time many Russian Composers either fled the country or went into exile. Music in Russia slowly started to become more propagandistic. -
Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990)
Born in America on 1918, Leonard Bernstein was a famous conductor, pianist, and composer. He was one of the first American born conductors to to lead and American symphony orchestra. Some of his works include "Candide" and "Mass". -
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The Roaring 20's
The Roaring Twenties was the decade between 1920-1930 which saw major economical and technological improvements for most of the western world. During the roaring twenties many new styles such as Jazz, Ragtime, Blues, and Swing started to become very popular -
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Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance was seen as a revival of African American culture including music, art, dance, and theatre. Many forms of Jazz became popular during this time including Ragtime and Blues. -
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The Great Depression
The Great Depression was a period of great economic downturn during the 1930s that impacted the whole world. During this time many struggled to make ends meet with most losing their jobs. Jazz and Swing were very popular during this time. -
John Williams (1932-Present)
Born in America on 1932, John Williams is best known for his seven decades long career composing the most famous film music of all time. Some of his most famous pieces include "The Olympic Fanfare", "The Imperial March", and "Hedwig's Theme". -
Invention of the Wireless Radio
The Wireless Radio is invented in Germany in 1933. After World War II many music composers would attempt to utilize it in their music. -
German Invasion of Poland
Nazi Germany invades Poland and officially starts The Second World War, the deadliest war in human history. As in World War One, War songs became popular while traditional orchestral performances begin to decline. -
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World War II
Most of the world once again falls into conflict as Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan begin to invade their surrounding neighbors. As in World War One, War songs became popular while traditional orchestral performances begin to decline.