Even though classical music is the general term that can be applied to the music of countries in the Western world, it can exceed the scope of what many people believe it to be. When people say classical music, they usually mean music from the Classical period, but that is an extremely narrow definition of this genre.

Classical music doesn’t have to come from the Baroque or the Classical Period. There is modern classical music; all a person has to do is go out there during the month of September and discover it. Why September? That’s because it is Classical Music Month; a month that encourages people to enjoy classical music from any period they want.

The History of Classical Music Month

This month was proclaimed by U.S. President Bill Clinton in 1994. He created this month to pay homage to classical music and to encourage more people to enjoy it. Although this proclamation was greeted with somewhat of a lukewarm response at the time, it did begin to gain traction in the decades that followed.

Classical Music Facts for Music Lovers

We wanted to share some of the knowledge we picked up while researching Classical Music Month, so we put together a list that we thought everyone would enjoy. The fruits of our labor can be found below, and we hope that everyone observing this month will enjoy the following facts.

• The Classical Music Period ran from the early 18th century through the early 19th century.
• The term “classical music” wasn’t used until the 19th century in praise of composers such as Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven.
• The history of classical music has its roots in the church music of the Middle Ages.
• Opera was invented during the Baroque Period.
• Modern classical music was influenced by jazz during the early 20th century.
• Great 20th-century modern music composers include Claude Debussy, Leonard Bernstein, and Philip Glass.

Observing Classical Music Month

During this month, everyone is encouraged to celebrate their love of classical music in their own way. Some people will choose to attend a classical concert, either by themselves or with friends and family members. Others will listen to more classical music on their commute to work or will actively search for more modern classical music.

Regardless of how everyone celebrates this month, we think that they should spread the word about it online using the hashtag #ClassicalMusicMonth. Let’s all spread the love of classical music around the world.