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Alan Chapman

Alan Chapman has had a multifaceted career in music – from being a college music professor and popular pre-concert lecturer to roles on the radio and on the performance stage. With a Ph.D. in music theory from Yale, his impressive resume includes a number of powerful performances (including his own original songs, as well as the "Great American Songbook"), with appearances at Carnegie Hall, Town Hall, and Lincoln Center. In the last decade, Alan developed the "Music 101" series for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, which is still going strong at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, attracting many new eyes and ears. His entire family is musical and the four of them performed as the Von Chaps on a 19-concert tour in China in 2019.

MORE WITH Alan Chapman

A Playlist for Driving Along the Coast with the Top Down

A Playlist for Driving Along the Coast with the Top Down

Explore Alan Chapman's top music picks for a scenic drive, featuring works from Handel, Copland, Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, and Borodin. Perfect for every journey phase.

Playlist
07/19/2023
Fact or Fiction: The One and Only “Amadeus”

Fact or Fiction: The One and Only “Amadeus”

This article explores the historical inaccuracies in the 1984 film 'Amadeus', focusing on the portrayal of Mozart and Salieri's relationship and the rumor of Mozart's murder.

Film/TV
02/21/2022
Chapman Challenge: The History of Handbells

Chapman Challenge: The History of Handbells

In this Chapman Challenge, Alan explains the history of handbells, their transition from bell tower practice tools to melody instruments, and how melodies are divided among ringers in a handbell choir.

Brass
12/15/2021
What Makes a Christmas Concerto a Christmas Concerto?

What Makes a Christmas Concerto a Christmas Concerto?

In this Chapman Challenge, Alan explains that a Christmas concerto is a type of concerto grosso from the Baroque period, characterized by a Pastorale movement.

Chapman Challenge
12/15/2021
With Fall Upon Us, Discover the Poetry in Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons”

With Fall Upon Us, Discover the Poetry in Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons”

Explore Vivaldi's Four Seasons concertos, each inspired by a sonnet possibly penned by Vivaldi himself. Discover how each sonnet perfectly fits the music's rhythm.

Classical California Ultimate Playlist
11/04/2021
Chapman Challenge: What’s the Spookiest Instrument?

Chapman Challenge: What’s the Spookiest Instrument?

In this Chapman Challenge, Alan discusses the spookiest instruments in honor of Halloween, highlighting the eerie sounds of the theremin and the scary potential of violins.

Chapman Challenge
10/26/2021