Earlier this month, Dr. Brooks Hafey and Dr. Sonja Kraus presented the evolution of the sonata through works by Frédéric Chopin, Margaret Hubicki and Sergei Prokofiev. Bravo to these talented performers on a fantastic concert! The post Photo Album: Hafey/Kraus Duo appeared first on Omaha Conservatory of Music ..read more

Women have contributed to classical music since before the Middle Ages, but only in recent decades have they received the recognition they deserved. In celebration of Women’s History Month, here are five female musicians who have inspired the next generation of women through performance, composition, education and more! Women’s History Month – Spotify Playlist Nadia Boulanger (September 16, 1887-October 22, 1979) Becoming one of the most notable pedagogues of the 20th century, Nadia Boulanger would instruct many famous musicians including Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, Grażyna Bacewicz, Ph ..read more

The genre of Rock and Roll is derived from the musical traditions of blues, soul, R&B, jazz and other inherently African styles. Here are five Black pioneers that have crafted the genre into how we know it today! Black Pioneers of Rock and Roll – Spotify Playlist Sister Rosetta Tharpe (March 20, 1915-October 9, 1973) As a proud queer woman, Sister Rosetta Tharpe was a natural trailblazer. She began guitar at the age of four and began performing in churches by the time she was six, later becoming the first female guitarist in the male-dominated genre of rock and roll. Tharpe was the first ..read more

In celebration of Black History Month, we commemorate Black musicians and their contributions to the world of classical music. From the Middle Ages to modern day, listen and read about the stories of five extraordinary musicians below!  Black History Month Spotify Playlist John Blanke (fl. 1501–1511) We don’t know the exact time period John Blanke would have lived, but surviving documents mention him at the beginning of the 16th century. The trumpet player was a royal court musician for both King Henry VII and King Henry VIII. He is depicted in the 1511 Westminster Tournament Roll, makin ..read more

From All-State Orchestra to the NMTA State Competition, our students have been busy performing within a variety of ensembles over the past month. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and achievements, congratulations to all! Middle School All-State Orchestra Cora Johnson violin · studio of Jesse Griggs Silas Reed violin · studio of Jessica Davis Kelly Tian violin · studio of Lisa Nielsen Alexandra Weber violin · studio of Melissa Holtmeier Isaac Davidson violin · studio of Kevin Tompkins Christopher Lee violin · studio of Ruth Meints Edward Zhang violin · studio of Ruth Meints Clara Sod ..read more

Happy holidays from all of us here at Omaha Conservatory of Music! During this season of gift giving, it can be hard to decide what to get the musician in your life. No worries – we got you covered! From performances to our group classes, here are just a few gift ideas are sure to please. OCoM Merchandise In addition to a select few items at the front desk, we have items for that special person on your list at our online store here! Record Players Vinyl is firmly back in fashion, so why not get your favorite music lover a record player? They come in several colors and styles to fit any aesth ..read more

Thank you to everyone who made this past weekend a spooky success! From games to listening to our zombie orchestra perform, we loved seeing hundreds of ghosts and goblins having a fang-tastic time. A special thank you to our partners Omaha Academy of Ballet and the Omaha Community Playhouse for their collaboration and amazing performances for this event. View event photos below! The post Photo Album: Cass Street Trick ‘R’ Treat 2023 appeared first on Omaha Conservatory of Music ..read more

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we’ve gathered a collection of Hispanic musicians, composers and conductors who simply do not get enough recognition. Read more about their achievements and listen to their work using the Spotify playlist link below. Happy listening! Hispanic Heritage Month – Spotify Playlist Teresa Carreño (December 22, 1853–June 12, 1917) Nicknamed “the Valkyrie of the Piano,” Carreño made her professional debut at the age of 8. Carreño performed for President Lincoln at the White House at the age of ten and underwent two world tours during her career. The Teresa C ..read more

Instrument purchase, rental and care can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! Here is a list of trusted instrument vendors and repair shops! ⁠ General Rentals and Purchases Dietze Music (402) 333-1535 13015 W. Center Rd. Omaha, NE 68144 Schmitt Music (402) 391-5588 7355 Dodge St. Omaha, NE 68144 Ground Floor Guitar (402) 614-6888 4009 Farnam St. Omaha, NE 68131 Lidgett Music (712) 322-0200 150 W. Broadway Council Bluffs, IA 51503 Strings Rentals, Repairs and Maintenance Amesquita Violins (402) 551-0209 1029 N. 72nd St. Omaha, NE 68114 info@amesquitaviolins.com Nielsen Vio ..read more

From Itzhak Perlman to Lindsey Stirling, the violin’s popularity spans a variety of genres, from classical to pop and everything in between. With this versatility in mind, it’s the perfect instrument when introducing your child to a whole new world of music! Who can register for Violin Explorers? This group class is designed for students ages 4-8. No prior musical experience is required, but we do require a positive attitude and an enthusiasm to learn! Are instruments provided for this class? Yes! We provide violins for every student. What techniques and styles are taught within classes? Violi ..read more