Profile of a Composer: Rodgers & Hammerstein

Rodgers and Hammerstein gave us many wonderful songs including, “Shall We Dance,” “Some Enchanted Evening,” “Oh, What A Beautiful Morning,” and “Younger Than Springtime.”  They also wrote the songs to The Sound of Music, including My Favorite Things and Edelweiss. The team of Rodgers and Hammerstein consist of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, both Read More

Profile of a Composer: Oscar Hammerstein II

Oscar Hammerstein II was the other half of the duo that brought The Sound of Music to life.  His lyrics beautifully matched the melodies of Richard Rodgers. Hammerstein was born on July 12, 1895, in New York City.  His grandfather was the theatre producer of the early 20th Century, Oscar Hammerstein I. The longing to Read More

Profile of a Composer: Richard Rodgers

Richard Rodgers is behind the melodies we all lovingly sing from The Sound of Music and numerous other musicals. In fact he composed over 900 songs and 43 Broadway musicals. He was born on June 28, 1902 in New York City.  He began playing the piano when he was six years old and was composing Read More

Profile of a Performer: Julie Andrews

Julie Andrews brought the role of Maria to life on the screen in The Sound of Music. Andrews had only completed one film, not yet released, when she was cast in the role of Maria.   The director of the film The Sound of Music, Robert Weiss, was able to convince Walt Disney to allow him Read More

Profile of a Performer: Mary Martin

The Sound of Music was originally conceived and developed as a project for the popular Broadway actress Mary Martin. So, who was Mary Martin? Mary Virginia Martin was born December 1, 1913, in Weatherford, Texas.  According to her autobiography, her childhood was “happy and secure.”  She was a tomboy and enjoyed keeping her family entertained. Read More

The Song Continues with the Next Generation of Von Trapps

The song continues in the story of the Von Trapp family.  The next generation is continuing in their family tradition of sharing their hearts and songs through music. Sofia, Melanie, Amanda, Justin and August are all grandchildren of Werner von Trapp.  Werner was a member of the Trapp Family Singers and is Kurt in The Read More

The Music is Still Alive with Elisabeth von Trapp

Recently I had the privilege of meeting a von Trapp and hearing her perform. Elisabeth von Trapp is the daughter of Werner von Trapp, of the Trapp Family Singers.  Sound of Music fans may best recognize Werner in the character of Kirk. Elisabeth is one of Werner and his wife, Erika’s, six children.  She was Read More

The Real Family that Inspired The Sound of Music

In celebration of The Sound of Music {the film} turning 50 years old, we are exploring the true story behind the popular musical. The Sound of Music is based on The Trapp Family Singers by Maria von Trapp. But who were the Trapp Family Singers? Before we explore their contributions to music, let’s discuss the Read More

The Sound of Music

Theaters this week are celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Sound of Music. The film version, starring a then-unknown Julie Andrews and primarily stage performer Christopher Plummer, of the musical first hit theaters in 1965. The stage version first premiered six years earlier in 1959, with Mary Martin and Theodore Bikel, in the title roles. Read More