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Articles by Heather Darnell
pop music | In The Muse
K-Pop Takes Over the Library August 28, 2026 Posted by: Heather Darnell This is a joint post by Music Reference Specialists Dr. Stacey Jocoy and Heather Darnell. On Thursday, August 6, more than 1,200 visitors filled the Library of Congress’s Thomas Jefferson Building for Live! at the Library: K-Pop Night, an evening celebrating Korean popular music and culture.
Archive: August 2026 (5 Posts)
Making Arrangements: Introducing the Gil Evans Music Manuscripts August 19, 2026 Posted by: Libby Smigel The Gil Evans Music Manuscripts are now available for research in the Library of Congress Performing Arts Reading Room! Evans is one of the greatest arrangers in jazz history, acclaimed for his arrangements, band leadership, and original compositions.
K-Pop Takes Over the Library
This is a joint post by Music Reference Specialists Dr. Stacey Jocoy and Heather Darnell. On Thursday, August 6, more than 1,200 visitors filled the Library of Congress’s Thomas Jefferson Building for Live! at the Library: K-Pop Night, an evening celebrating Korean popular music and culture. Music Division Reference Specialists Dr. Stacey Jocoy and Heather Darnell were part of the organizing committee and helped develop the evening’s collections display and K-Pop Trivia Night.
Early Music | In The Muse
Library of Congress Announces Fall 2024 Centennial Concert Series August 7, 2024 Posted by: Claudia Morales After much anticipation, we are excited to unveil our Fall 2024 Centennial Season, featuring a remarkable lineup of groundbreaking commissions, vibrant musical celebrations, and heartfelt tributes to iconic artists. The 2024-2025 season is the centerpiece of our commemoration of the 100th birthday of Concerts from the Library of Congress.
Category: Music for Dance
Discover Martha Graham at the Library of Congress: A New Research Guide September 12, 2025 Posted by: Heather Darnell The Library of Congress Music Division is excited to announce the release of Martha Graham: A Guide to Resources at the Library of Congress, a comprehensive research guide showcasing the Library’s unique resources documenting the life and work of the influential American choreographer.
Musical Theater | In The Muse
The Stephen Sondheim Collection: A Researcher Shares His Experience December 1, 2025 Posted by: Libby Smigel Ed Zanders, a British composer and musical director based in London, shares some of his discoveries of Sondheim's creative process, found amongst the Stephen Sondheim Papers held by the Library of Congress Music Division.
Archive: July 2026 (5 Posts)
Lessons on Creativity from Library of Congress Manuscripts July 31, 2026 Posted by: Heather Darnell In June, I had the opportunity to represent the Library of Congress at the World Creativity Conference at Seoul National University, South Korea. At first glance, a creativity conference may not seem like an obvious destination for a librarian. Yet it proved to be the perfect setting to demonstrate how archives and special collections can … Posted in: Composers, Musical Theater, Uncategorized
Research Guides | In The Muse
Jazz Archiving Panel at Jazz Congress 2026 February 23, 2026 Posted by: Claudia Morales In January of this year, concert producer Claudia Morales served as a panelist at Jazz Congress, a multi-day gathering produced by Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Category: Asian American History
“The Pop Will Eat Itself”: American Popular Music, Anime and the Archive May 29, 2026 Posted by: Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres What makes music feel “authentic”—and who decides what is worth preserving? Using the anime "Carole & Tuesday" as a case study, this blog traces how the American singer-songwriter tradition, including Joni Mitchell to Carole King, was canonized through the archival and copyright collections of the Library of Congress and reimagined through Japanese anime for global audiences.
Category: Women in Dance
Discover Martha Graham at the Library of Congress: A New Research Guide September 12, 2025 Posted by: Heather Darnell The Library of Congress Music Division is excited to announce the release of Martha Graham: A Guide to Resources at the Library of Congress, a comprehensive research guide showcasing the Library’s unique resources documenting the life and work of the influential American choreographer.
Durham Loves Durham
Celebrate ten years of Durham Distillery and The Durham Hotel by finding out what makes these businesses so uniquely Durham. Posted By Heather Darnell on Mar 30, 2026 Break out the gin and head to the rooftop! This year two Durham institutions celebrate 10-year anniversaries in downtown Durham. 2015 was a banner year for places that paid homage to Durham in their names; Durham Distillery and The Durham Hotel.
The Carolina Theatre Celebrates 100 Years
The Carolina Theatre is celebrating it's 100th anniversary, and you're invited. Posted By Heather Darnell on Feb 11, 2026 A majestic theater stands in the center of downtown Durham, bearing witness to the past 100 years. Since opening in 1926, the Carolina Theatre has been a gathering place.
Love Durham as a Foodie
This winter, show your Durham love your way with the Love Durham Challenge. Foodies, dig in at Durham restaurants, check in at ten participating stops, earn prizes. Posted By Heather Darnell on Jan 02, 2026 Durham’s food scene is world-renowned, but it’s no surprise to anyone who lives here. Durham has been called the “Tastiest Town in the South,” has been recognized by the MICHELIN Guide and was a runner up for the Best Culinary Town in the South in 2025.
Love Durham as a Creative
Durham creatives, it's time to get out and let Durham inspire you. During the Love Durham campaign this winter, admire artwork in the Bull City. Check in at ten participating stops in the Love Durham Challenge to earn prizes. Posted By Heather Darnell on Jan 02, 2026 There are a lot of reasons to love Durham; art is just one of them. In Durham, you can admire works by world-renowned artists alongside up-and-coming creators.
Love Durham as a Family
Embrace your love of Durham as you revisit favorites and find new spots to bond and share memories as a family with the Love Durham Challenge. Check in at ten spots to earn prizes. Posted By Heather Darnell on Jan 02, 2026 Gather as a family and embark on a journey of discovery, food and fun. Use the Love Durham as a Family challenge as a scavenger hunt to take the kids to places they will rave about and make memories that you’ll cherish.
Love Durham as a Style Icon
Attention Durham style icons: flaunt your Durham fashion this winter during the Love Durham Challenge. Check in at ten stops on the list to earn prizes. Posted By Heather Darnell on Jan 02, 2026 Durham's retail scene exists because this city celebrates individuality – and these shops are proof of it. They're spaces where self-expression isn't just welcomed, it's the whole point.
Archive: September 2025 (1 Post)
Discover Martha Graham at the Library of Congress: A New Research Guide September 12, 2025 Posted by: Heather Darnell The Library of Congress Music Division is excited to announce the release of Martha Graham: A Guide to Resources at the Library of Congress, a comprehensive research guide showcasing the Library’s unique resources documenting the life and work of the influential American choreographer.
Make Your Group Meeting a Smashing Success in Durham
Looking for group meeting activities in Durham? We've got everything you need to liven it up, from celebrity guests and stunning shows to inspiring art and refreshing rooftop bars. Posted By Heather Darnell on May 22, 2025 Whether you’re bringing a group to Durham for a corporate event, a conference or a meeting, there’s no shortage of activities to keep your guests happy and having a great time.
News Around Town: Small Business Growth
ABOVE: Chamber & Chill is a gathering for professionals to network and unwind. APEX By Dave Droschak As executive director of the Apex Chamber of Commerce, David Bohm realizes formal networking events and ribbon cuttings don’t move the organization toward being part of a deeper, connected community. “We did a survey this past summer [to find] the number one value members saw from the Apex Chamber,” says Bohm.
Archive: March 2025 (6 Posts)
“Good Neighbors”: An Example of Mariachi in American Popular Culture March 21, 2025 Posted by: Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres Explore the way Disney showcased the work of Mexican songwriters Manuel Esperón and Ernesto Cortár in several popular animated films in the 1940s as part of their effort to incorporate FDR's "Good Neighbor" policy. The effort resulted in sharing elements of mariachi music with American film audiences.
The Historic Gems of Western Wake
HISTORIC GEMS OF APEX By Sarah Merritt Ryan As you stroll north past shops and restaurants on Salem Street in the Apex Historic District, you will come across The Depot, the original hub of the settlement that became incorporated as Apex on February 28, 1873. Across the street from The Depot and to your left stands the Halle Cultural Arts Center. These two buildings were fundamental to the development of Apex as a town and commercial center and remain central to our community today.
Painting the Towns: The Murals of Western Wake
PAINTING THE TOWN: APEX TEXT AND PHOTOS BY DOLLY R. SICKLES For the last 10 years, the Town of Apex has focused on developing its Public Art Master Plan. The Apex Public Art Committee (APAC) evolved from this initiative, which, according to chairperson Tom Colwell, “generates ideas, develops the concepts and determines the projects that we would like to advance.” Murals and public art provide more than just a beautification of space—they build community.
Make the Most of a Medical Trip to Durham
Discover medical tourism in Durham, from why so many people make medical trips to Durham to what to do while you're here seeking care. Posted By Heather Darnell on Dec 16, 2024 If you’re looking for one of the best places in the country for healthcare, you’ll find it in Durham, NC. Thousands visit each year from across the country because it’s one of the top places in the United States for medical care.
Archive: August 2024 (6 Posts)
Renée Fleming and Music at the 2024 National Book Festival August 21, 2024 Posted by: Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres Engage with music and the performing arts at the 2024 Library of Congress National Book Festival on Saturday, August 24, 2024. Soprano Renée Fleming and neuroscientist Daniel J. Levitin will discuss their new books with Michael Andor Brodeur of The Washington Post.
Archive: July 2024 (5 Posts)
High Kicks for Days: Celebrating the Rockettes with Photographs and Memorabilia July 25, 2024 Posted by: Libby Smigel Rockettes dancer Ann Murphy (born in Lynn, Massachusetts, in 1942) danced with the precision tap dance company from the 1960s through the 1970s. Now her photographs, programs, and other Radio City Music Hall memorabilia are available to the public in the Library of Congress Performing Arts Reading Room, thanks to Murphy's generous gift of her legacy materials.
AI Has No Talent
To it's credit, Microsoft's Free AI Image Generator knows *exactly* what a prog rock band is This weekend, I spent precisely four hours creating a progressive rock EP using the AI-generator Udio. Why would I waste my one, precious life on such absurdity, you ask? Well, last week I had a brief scare. I had an AI rewrite my own song and was horrified to find that it was actually kinda good. It made me wonder, To what extent can AI be original?
I Asked an AI Generator to Rewrite My OwnSong
Yesterday, I read Sophia Omarji's article, The Psychology of AI-Generated Music: How We Perceive and Respond to Machine-Made Melodies. Omarji's analysis of several major studies on people's acceptance of AI-generated music was enough to scare the pants off any working musician: However, studies have shown that when unaware of the composer's identity, we can emotionally connect with AI-generated music in the same way as human-composed music. You hear that folks?
Playing Tenor: Eddie Condon’s Journey to the Guitar
It’s the summer of 2018, and I’ve once again found myself at the Marina in Corpus Christi, TX, sitting with my father on his sailboat. Guitars in hand, we are playing a special concert for the seagulls and pelicans, our only true fans. The vibrations of our strings loft into the air in perfect harmony until—PLUNK-PLUNK-THUNK!—I hit another F chord. I throw my hands down in frustration as a gull lets out a loud laugh.
Has A.I. Unraveled the Mystery of the Creative Process?
It's not uncommon these days to run across AI-generated "art." AI generators are programmed using machine-learning algorithms to find patterns in large datasets to quickly and easily produce images, writings, music, and more. Students use these generators for essays, musicians use them to create beats, and I used one to produce the image above. These creations are often so good that it is hard to differentiate if they were created by a person or generator.
Archive: March 2024 (3 Posts)
The Choreographer Who Gave Us “Ken-ergy” March 15, 2024 Posted by: Heather Darnell During last Sunday’s Oscars, many were quick to note the parallels between Ryan Gosling’s performance of “I’m Just Ken” and Marilyn Monroe’s “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” from the 1953 film “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. ”The “Ken Dance” took many cues from pop culture and vintage Hollywood to play on gender stereotypes. However, there was … Posted in: Dance, Film Music, Women in Dance
Archive: February 2024 (5 Posts)
A Rodgers and Hammerstein Anti-Valentine’s Playlist February 14, 2024 Posted by: Heather Darnell Never lacking romance, the musicals of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II are often known for their love songs, such as the soaring “Some Enchanted Evening” from “South Pacific” and the cheeky “People May Say We’re in Love” from “Oklahoma!”. But not everybody wants to be reminded of fairytale romances and star-crossed soulmates—especially on Valentine’s … Posted in: Uncategorized
Archive: November 2023 (4 Posts)
Be a 2024 Junior Fellow in the Music Division! November 17, 2023 Posted by: Libby Smigel Are you an undergraduate, graduate, or recently graduated higher education student? If you’re also a U.S. citizen, check out the two unique 2024 Junior Fellows projects our staff have put together for this summer! Fellowships are paid full-time positions for 10 weeks. I’m excited to lead the in-person project Mind the Gap: Taking Stock of … Posted in: Dance, New Music
Archive: August 2023 (4 Posts)
Red, White & Royal Love Song August 11, 2023 Posted by: Heather Darnell The following is a guest post by Music Division Assistant Chief, Nicholas Brown. In honor of this Saturday’s National Book Festival, the Music Division is pleased to share a page-to-screen tidbit relating to the new romantic comedy film “Red, White & Royal Blue” (Prime, 2023) that is being released on August 11, 2023. Based on … Posted in: Composers, Film Music, Musical Theater, Theater, Vocalists
Early Hip-Hop at the Library of Congress
August 2023 marks the fiftieth anniversary of Hip-Hop, said to have begun in 1973 at a little South-Bronx party hosted by DJ Kool Herc. But years before Herc introduced New York to the breakbeat, African-American music and spoken-word traditions had been brewing in the great social unrest of the 60s and 70s to create a musical genre that is now a global phenomenon.
Archive: July 2023 (4 Posts)
Performing Arts Reading Room Website gets a Makeover! July 31, 2023 Posted by: Heather Darnell Hey, everyone! The Performing Arts Reading Room website has undergone a makeover. Our streamlined design is more accessible, mobile-friendly, and responsive — making it easy for researchers to find the information they need while discovering new resources.
Archive: August 2022 (4 Posts)
August 29, 2022 Posted by: Morgen Stevens-Garmon A bite of songs about summertime food from Music Division Archivist Anita M. Weber. Posted in: Sheet Music August 26, 2022 Posted by: Heather Darnell Exploring hate mail to music greats Henry Mancini, Jascha Heifetz, and Leonard Bernstein Posted in: Musicians, Special Collections August 22, 2022 Posted by: Morgen Stevens-Garmon Melissa Capozio Jones explores Ross Lee Finney's questionnaire to composers during World War II.
Enjoy an artsy weekend in Durham, NC
Visit Durham, NC to enjoy a weekend full of artistic and cultural experiences. There are many things to do in Durham, NC, including concerts, art museums, Broadway shows, and more! Whether you like discovering artists at local galleries, or seeing your favorite musician on the big stage, Durham, NC attractions are right for you. Peruse internationally famous art exhibits at The Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University.
How To Get Free Stuff and Products From Companies
Did you know that you can get companies to send you free products and samples... just by asking? That's right, no surveys or gimmicks, just writing them an email or letter could get you some free stuff or coupons. Most people think that you have to participate in dodgy surveys or enrol for free stuff on even dodgier websites but with this, you just ask the company yourself.
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