Centennial, Colo., Aug. 12, 2021 - Colorado Public Radio announced today the launch of the newest project from its Audio Innovations Studio. “Music Blocks” is a music appreciation podcast developed in consultation with Colorado music educators. Each five-minute episode focuses on a basic emotion — such as happiness, sadness or surprise — and how those feelings are expressed in music from around the world.
“A show like 'Music Blocks' is needed in Colorado classrooms,” said Carla Aguilar, Ph.D., a professor of music education at Metropolitan State University of Denver, the music content specialist for the Colorado Department of Education, and the education advisor on the podcast. “Having a space and time to engage with thoughtful listening allows students to critically think about the sounds they are hearing. It allows them to consider music in a way separate from performing. It may also help them connect to each other in new and interesting ways.”
Today’s release consists of eight episodes designed as conversation starters for middle- and high-school students, but they will appeal to younger and older audiences as well. Young people will recognize songs they have heard on the radio or streaming services while also being introduced to music from different cultures, eras and genres. Each episode is accompanied by a playlist with the full-length versions of songs featured in the episode.
“'Music Blocks' is a special project for us in many ways,” said Brad Turner, executive producer of CPR’s Audio Innovations Studio. “During the show’s development process, educators and parents asked for something like this. Teachers knew exactly what kind of show they wanted to share with their students, and we tailored it to their ideas. The feedback we received from educators and students has been so gratifying. We hope 'Music Blocks' will help spark important conversations about emotions we all feel and how those emotions can be expressed creatively.”
“Music Blocks” is hosted by CPR podcast producers Rebekah Romberg and Luis Antonio Perez. In addition to their work on CPR’s podcasts, Romberg and Perez bring their own musical experience and tastes to the show. Romberg has DJ’ed on Indie 102.3, produced segments for CPR Classical and is a singer. Before coming to CPR, Perez DJ’ed at a hip-hop station in Chicago. You can get to know the hosts and their backgrounds in the trailer for "Music Blocks."
“Music Blocks” is available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and our website. If you listen to the show, we’d love to hear about your experience with it here.
Photos and graphics related to this release can be found here. Media inquiries: Clara Shelton, [email protected]
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About Colorado Public Radio
Colorado Public Radio is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization delivering meaningful news, music, and cultural experiences to everyone in Colorado using the power of the human voice in all its forms. Roughly 95 percent of CPR’s funds come from the private support of listeners, businesses and foundations. For more information, visit www.cpr.org.
- CPR News delivers in-depth, insightful and impartial news and information from around the world, across the nation and throughout Colorado, examining its relevance to our state and connecting it to our community.
- CPR Classical takes listeners on an in-depth exploration of thoughtfully curated music – with an emphasis on Colorado’s classical community – providing context to a broad range of meaningful and compelling works from past to present.
- Indie 102.3 takes listeners inside the world of new and independent music – exposing them to up-and-coming artists and highlighting Colorado’s local music scene.
- Denverite is an online news source dedicated to Denver's curious and concerned.
- KRCC is a public radio station in Colorado Springs, Colorado, serving Southern Colorado. KRCC is operated by Colorado Public Radio in partnership with Colorado College.
