Burns Music School

I was so proud of my students tonight in the Claremont High Schools production of Peter Pan! It was an awesome production and if you haven't seen it yet, don't miss it! Two shows tomorrow at Big Bridges.

Break a leg to all the Burns Music School students competing in the California State Thespian Festival this weekend!

Tonight Burns Music School is hosting its annual Winter recital. We have an awesome program tonight with lots of talented students performing. Come check it out! It's free and open to the public. Cal Poly Pomona Recital Hall at 8:00 pm.

White Light / White Heat (45th Anniversary)

A classic album that is worth a listen if you don't know it.

https://open.spotify.com/album/16cwbUCyHVHe2BDwDoWaF4

White Light / White Heat (45th Anniversary) The Velvet Underground · Album · 1968 · 6 songs.

Two of my students were just cast as Jack's Mother and The Bakers Wife in The Alliance for the Performing Arts upcoming production of Sondheim's Into the Woods! Congratulations!!! I can't wait to see it.

I had a great time at the Claremont High choir show tonight! It was awesome to see Burns Music School students in all four choirs. Break a leg tomorrow everyone!

Burns Music a School has some really dedicated and talented students this year! Its great to have so many young people interested in Jazz and other classic styles. It's going to be a great fall!

Last night we had another awesome recital for Burns Music School! Dr Burns made a special appearance and the Cal Poly Recital Hall was filled with beautiful music. It's such a joy to see our students progress and get to make music with them. Congratulations to all the performers!!! See you back in August!

Haitian Fight Song by Charles Mingus

What an amazing classic track.

Haitian Fight Song by Charles Mingus

I have some amazing students in my studio this year! I have a 15 year old soprano learning the Copland 12 Songs of Emily Dickenson and a16 year old doing set one of the Old American Songs! It's the summer of Copland at Burns Music School!

Alabama - Live At Birdland Jazzclub, New York City, NY, 10/18/1963

After the tragic events in South Carolina this week I thought this track was appropriate. It was written in response to the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham Alabama that killed four young girls in 1963. Prayers for the families of the victims in Charleston.

https://open.spotify.com/track/6CgcaSR5boxy1n7hKAgPxC

Alabama - Live At Birdland Jazzclub, New York City, NY, 10/18/1963 John Coltrane · Song · 1963

Good luck to all the CHS students auditioning for choirs this week!

I have been talking with several students about graphic scores (a piece of music notated with pictures instead of notes, every performance will be different). CHS Chamber Singers is singing the piece Epitaph For Moonlight next week. I did the piece in grad school. Its a nice introduction to graphic scores and a real challenge! It's great to see a whole new generation of singers getting out of their comfort zones. I can't wait to hear the performance next week!

I am playing Sweeney Todd this weekend at Webb High School. The kids are doing a great job! The score is brilliant. Sondheim is definitely one of the most widely appreciated avant garde composers in American music. It is amazing that such a complex and experimental work would achieve such wide appeal. Sondheim truly is a genius.

Fuel The Fire

This is a cool track that I discovered this afternoon. Check it out!

https://open.spotify.com/track/4dZcqc0VQd4SsNOsdaz1qH

Fuel The Fire Sarah Jarosz · Song · 2013

Welcome

Make sure to check out burnsmusicschool.com and my Yelp page!

http://www.burnsmusicschool.com

Welcome Thanks for visiting, my name is Sean Burns and I'm a Professional Musician and Educator living in Claremont, California. With over 15 years experience teaching Voice and Piano lessons and 8 years teaching Guitar lessons, Music Theory and Songwriting, I offer a customized curriculum to meet each ind…

Red House - Live at The Woodstock Music & Art Fair, August 18, 1969

One of my favorites! https://open.spotify.com/track/3Vs6cdkM3qIWItjoiiI5p2

Red House - Live at The Woodstock Music & Art Fair, August 18, 1969 Jimi Hendrix · Song · 1999

I'm all about jazz on Saturday afternoons, whats on your playlist?

The Real Folk Blues

Some classic Muddy Waters.

https://open.spotify.com/album/0JCo6tzl58XqwmN3AQ75uf

The Real Folk Blues Muddy Waters · Album · 1966 · 12 songs.

Don't forget Burns Music School offers free consultations, check out the website and contact for more info. There are still a few select spots for Spring!

Happy Easter and Happy Spring!

Top three songwriters of the 20th century in no particular order...

Paul Simon
Bob Dylan
Duke Ellington

The biggest thing that holds back a young musician is fear. When you make a performance about yourself, fear is often the result. Instead focus on communicating and allow the music to come through you. The fear will slip away.

I Am a Rock

Some classic Paul Simon. Probably one of the top three song writers of the 20th century.

https://open.spotify.com/track/5TbOv747LZtP0wSuTAHRIZ

I Am a Rock Paul Simon · Song · 1965

I was saddened to hear of the tragic events at CHS this weekend. My thoughts and prayers for her family and friends.

Ole

Classic Coltrane for a Saturday afternoon. One of my favorite experimental jazz tracks of all time.

https://open.spotify.com/track/5T2Cft0v1qKSmH0GUDzB2b

Ole John Coltrane · Song · 1962

Always Starting Over

So proud of my student for getting a callback at festival for Always Starting Over! A great performance of an awesome song. Way to go Emmalyn!!

https://open.spotify.com/track/1lO05gLIDY3HgGmQMWAGXH

Always Starting Over Idina Menzel · Song · 2014

I want to tell my students to break a leg this weekend at the California State Thespian Festival! I am so proud of all of you.

Open Music Theory – Open Music Theory

I found this site last night while doing research for one of my theory students. Its a crowdfunded online music theory "textbook." Its well written, clear and well organized. An excellent quick and free resource.

http://openmusictheory.com

Open Music Theory – Open Music Theory **Open Music Theory** is an open-source, interactive, online

Funky Kingston

A little T***s for a Wednesday night. Words can't express how much I love Afro-Caribbean music. Check it out!

https://open.spotify.com/album/7a341nZsSfwyBsq1tMPETz

Funky Kingston T***s & The Maytals · Album · 1973 · 10 songs.

Singing tip: The fastest way to improve your singing is to simply open your mouth.

Physical Graffiti (Deluxe Edition)

A little Tuesday night listening.

https://open.spotify.com/album/26tH0kjUhkxBEd3ipGkx3Y

Physical Graffiti (Deluxe Edition) Led Zeppelin · Album · 1975 · 22 songs.

Pictures of lessons in the studio