Take Note
byArizona PBS
EducationHistoryMusicSocietyCulture
Take Note is a ninety-second weekly dive into music history where we choose topics based on music’s intersection with national and international cultural celebrations. Highlighting diverse topics within the history of music, Take Note aims to promote inclusivity in the world of classical music. Each Take Note episode has its own focus whether fun or educational so that listeners from all backgrounds will find something to enjoy from week to week. From holidays like Cinco de Mayo and the 4th of July to World Day of Social Justice and National Eisteddfod, Take Note covers a breadth of topics displaying th...
Episodes(40 episodes)
Season 4 - Episode 170
Ge'ez New Year
On this episode, we ring in the Ethiopian and Eritrean New Year, which is marked by the end of the region’s rainy season. Ge’ez New Year is also called Enkutatash in Amharic and Kudus Yohannes in Ge’ez and Tigrinya. We’ll hear some celebratory music and learn about the traditional instruments of the region.
Published: Sep 9, 2026Duration: 1m 30s
Season 4 - Episode 169
Krishna Janmashtami
Krishna Janmashtami is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. The celebration falls on Friday, September 4th and is celebrated with devotional chant and singing, which we’ll hear in a recording of the Hare Krishna Maha mantra.
Published: Sep 2, 2026Duration: 1m 30s
Women's Equality Day
August 26th is Women’s Equality Day, and on Take Note, we’re celebrating an important composer in the fight for women’s equality: Amy Beach.
Published: Aug 26, 2026Duration: 1m 29s
National Radio Day
In this episode we celebrate National Radio Day by taking a look back at the history of classical music aired on radio.
Published: Aug 19, 2026Duration: 1m 30s
Season 4 - Episode 168
National Hip-hop Day
This August 11th, marks the 3rd annual National Hip-hop Celebration Day! Listen to learn about this iconic American genre - its influences and its place in significant American music.
Published: Aug 12, 2026Duration: 1m 29s
Season 4 - Episode 167
Ker Puja
On this week’s Take Note, we’re honoring the Hindu holiday of Ker Puja, which occurs on August 7th. It’s a solemn celebration primarily observed in the Northeastern Indian state of Tripura. Listen to hear the sound of the bamboo flute sumui.
Published: Aug 5, 2026Duration: 1m 29s
Season 4 - Episode 166
Asalha Puja
This week on Take Note, we’re honoring the Theravada Buddhist festival Asalha Puja, which commemorates the Buddha’s first sermon. We’ll hear traditional Sri Lankan Buddhist music and learn about the instrument horanawa.
Published: Jul 29, 2026Duration: 1m 29s
Season 4 - Episode 165
Fiesta de Santiago
As we wrap up the month of July, let’s celebrate the Fiesta de Santiago, a day that honors Spain’s patron saint St. James the Apostle. We’ll observe this holiday with 12th century sacred polyphonic music as well as some traditional sounds of the Spanish-speaking Americas.
Published: Jul 22, 2026Duration: 1m 29s
World Listening Day
This week on Take Note, we’re observing World Listening Day, a time to recognize the importance of sound in our lives and its role in shaping our understanding of the world around us.
Published: Jul 15, 2026Duration: 1m 29s
Episode 164
Star Festival
July 7th is Tanabata, or the Star Festival, in Japan. It is derived from the Chinese Qixi Festival. In this episode, we’ll hear the traditional Tanabata song.
Published: Jul 7, 2026Duration: 1m 29s
Season 4 - Episode 163
America 250: Sounds of the Revolution
In honor of America 250, let’s learn about the music and the instruments that created the soundscape of the Revolutionary War.
Published: Jul 1, 2026Duration: 1m 30s
Pride Month 2026: Tchaikovsky
In this episode, we celebrate pride month with the story of Tchaikovsky, and we discuss why it’s important to acknowledge musicians’ sexuality.
Published: Jun 24, 2026Duration: 1m 30s
Juneteenth: Blind Tom Wiggins
In this episode, in honor of Juneteenth, we learn about the life of Blind Tom Wiggins, who is sometimes referred to as the “last American slave.”
Published: Jun 17, 2026Duration: 1m 30s
African American Music Appreciation Month
June is African American Music Appreciation Month, and in this episode we cover the various popular music genres with African American roots and take a look at three very different musicians.
Published: Jun 10, 2026Duration: 1m 30s
Season 4 - Episode 162
Gawai Dayak
Celebrated annually on June 1st and 2nd, Gawai Dayak is the Harvest Festival celebrated in the state of Sarawak, Malaysia on Borneo. This week, we learn about the dance Ngajat and the instruments that accompany it.
Published: Jun 3, 2026Duration: 1m 30s
Season 4 - Episode 161
Africa Day
May 25th is Africa Day! This week on Take Note learn about two of Africa's premiere musicologists, Akin Euba and J. H. Kwabena Nketia.
Published: May 27, 2026Duration: 1m 29s
Season 4 - Episode 160
Luilak
May 23rd is Luilak, a Dutch holiday designed to energize the lazy. Learn about this clangorous celebration this week on Take Note.
Published: May 20, 2026Duration: 1m 29s
Season 4 - Episode 159
San Isidro's Feast Day
This week on Take Note we celebrate San Isidro’s Feast Day, a Catholic celebration that originated in Seville. We learn about Mozarabs and the history of Mozarabic chant.
Published: May 13, 2026Duration: 1m 29s
Season 4 - Episode 158
Kodomo-no-hi
On May 5th we celebrate children with Kodomo-no-hi, a Japanese holiday. Learn about the koinobori and its musical companion this week on Take Note.
Published: May 6, 2026Duration: 1m 29s
Season 4 - Episode 157
Lei Day
In Hawaii, May 1st is Lei Day, a time to celebrate the Aloha spirit and honor Native Hawaiian traditions. In this episode, learn about hapa haole music and how to let it inspire you to discover the authentic music of Hawaii.
Published: Apr 29, 2026Duration: 1m 29s