Little Known Music Facts

A piano covers the full spectrum of all orchestra instruments, from below the lowest note of the double bassoon to above the top note of the piccolo.

There are six versions of Franz Schubert's "Die Forelle" ("The Trout"), simply because when friends asked him for copies of the song, he wrote out new copies to the best he could remember at the time.

A grand piano can be played faster than an upright (spinet) piano.

Beethoven was deaf when he composed his Ninth Symphony.

Frederick Chopin had a piano designed with special smaller keys because his hands were so small.

History

National Organization
The National Federation of Music Clubs, conceived in 1893 during the World's Columbian Exposition, was organized in 1898. By 1915 it had become large enough to have state federations. It is now the world's largest philanthropic music organization, supporting American music and musicians. It is one of only three music organizations to be chartered by the United States Congress, and the only music organization member of the United Nations. There are 6,000 NFMC-related organizations and music clubs in the United States. Members are professional and amateur musicians, vocalists, composers, dancers, performing artists, music educators, generous benefactors of students, and music lovers, all of whom are interested in creating a dynamic musical and cultural environment in their communities.

State Organization
The Pennsylvania Federation of Music Clubs was organized in Philadelphia on November 8, 1916. Clubs from seven cities were represented. Charter clubs still active are Allentown Music Club, Harmonia Music Club of Lebanon, Schubert Musical and Literary Club of Oil City, and Tuesday Musical Club of Pittsburgh. The PFMC divided into four districts in 1924: Northeastern Pennsylvania, Northwestern Pennsylvania, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. On May 5, 1933 the Federation was incorporated as a nonprofit entity in the Court of Common Pleas of Bradford County, Pennsylvania.