Category: Just for Fun

As we all take a deep breath today, I thought I’d share some music to help us get through whatever lies ahead. Music can be a soothing balm or an ecstatic outburst of joy; and in the hands of our young musicians, great music-making is always a source of hope and inspiration. I encourage you […]

With 2018 solidly behind us, we finally had the chance to look back, take stock, and pull out some of our favorite moments from last year. From fantastically fun videos to empowering young musicians to make an impact in their community, 2018 was a year to remember. 1: Two of our music videos were included in WQXR’s […]

From the Top alumni are no strangers to celebrating big-time success, and Emi Ferguson has a lot to celebrate right now. Emi first appeared on From the Top with Host Christopher O’Riley  on Show 121 playing one of J.S. Bach’s famous flute sonatas, and has since gone on to attend Juilliard with a prestigious grant, perform […]

Why Should I Learn How To Transpose? Let’s say we’re a trumpet quintet who was just hired for a Sunday morning church gig (hey, it could happen), and we’ve been told: “No need to come to a rehearsal, you’ll just be sight-reading some easy hymns.” When we arrive, the director hands us a hymnal and […]

Can’t Stop the Feeling If you’re like us, there was a moment this past summer when you saw the music video for Justin Timberlake’s summer hit “Can’t Stop the Feeling”, and you couldn’t help but cheer for all those awesome folks getting down and dancing. Well, here’s another reason to cheer – six incredible young […]

Happy Independence Day! For this July 4th, we took the Sempre Sisters out into Boston to perform a virtuosic take on the classic patriotic tune, Yankee Doodle. We love this video because the joy and passion these two From the Top alums put into their performance are wonderfully contagious. Fair warning though: the tune is […]

If there’s one thing that all From the Top musicians and fans can appreciate, it’s the many… ahem…productive hours spent in practice rooms. How many of these have you experienced? Pianist 11-year-old Michael Karshis (you might remember Michael as a certain Star Wars villain in another recent video) Director Tim Banker Producer Mark Williams Director […]

Sure, there’s lots of practicing, and pacing, and getting ready for a big performance. But there’s also a lot of laughs.

You know the drill, musical parents. You pour your heart and soul in to your child’s musical training, but there are always those little things that make you crazy. Lucky for you, our musical mom has all…well, some…of the answers! Subscribe to our YouTube channel for musical tips like this new one about practicing a […]

Super Bowl 50 is coming! On Sunday, February 7 on CBS, Peyton Manning and Cam Newton will face off on the football field. But before then, we were thinking that the CBS opening theme could use a little From the Top-style interpretation. Who better to play it than two outstanding From the Top piano alumni? […]

This is the music you are looking for, Star Wars fans. In honor of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, opening in theaters December 18th, we present three delightful young pianists who aren’t afraid to tickle the ivories while dressed in Halloween costumes. A From the Top video. 2015, all rights reserved www.fromthetop.org www.facebook.com/fromthetopfans www.twitter.com/classicalkid …

It’s official. From the Top alum and classical saxophonist Chad Lilley wins this year’s award for most unusual video. Chad plays a gorgeous rendition of Barry Cockcrofts’ “Ku Ku.” You can watch it here. But since we’re From the Top, we decided that a song that sounds like chickens needs to be played FOR chickens. […]

Guitarist Jason Lewis appeared on NPR’s From the Top Show 307, recorded at a private home in Boston’s Back Bay, which you can hear on public radio stations nationwide the week of September 7. We discovered that Jason has a passion for skateboarding as well as guitar. Here’s a sneak peek of an upcoming video featuring Jason, […]

We’re back from our week-long trip to Colorado which was packed to the brim with all sorts of events. Colorado is home to two of the best summer music festivals in America, and we were lucky enough to be invited to participate in both. We started out in Vail, as part of the Bravo! Vail […]

Oh Chautauqua, how I miss you already! I’m home in Boston now, but just days ago I was at the Chautauqua Institution in Southwestern New York, where we recorded an episode of our radio show. If you haven’t heard of Chautauqua, let me paint a quick picture for you: imagine a huge, private summer resort completely […]

  It’s that time of year again when we can go mad from one of two things. 1) a very slowly approaching spring (cough cough, if you live in Boston), or 2) sports, specifically the NCAA tournament. For those of you “non sports” types, that’s basketball. College basketball, to be even more specific. How does this […]

“Glory”, from the movie Selma, was the winner for Best Song during last night’s Academy Awards. Join a bunch of talented From the Top musicians as they take us on a little musical journey through Oscar-winning songs of the past. And spoiler warning – the last one will get stuck in your head.

We’ve got a treat for you! Last week’s Show 230, which was taped April 7 in Monterey, California as part of the e.g. Conference, was captured on video in its entirety.  This means each performance is on YouTube for you to watch! If you’re pressed for time, at least check out this clip of Jake […]