Copland 125 - Celebrating Modern Classical Music

Hi, my name is Kevin Lindegaard and I am embarking on activities to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the composer Aaron Copland.

Copland’s music is the perfect entry point into classical music. I fell in love with his music over 35 years ago and write a blog aaron-copland.com which aims to share his continuing legacy promoting contemporary classical music.

Copland was an amazing person who deserves to be celebrated. His music paints incredibly vivid pictures and acts as a bridge to other composers and styles. He was a man of the world and a cultural ambassador. Throughout his life he mentored and taught young composers, wrote pieces for school children and encouraged people of all ages to open their ears to new music.

Copland's birthday is 14 November 2025 and I am organising a one night celebration at All Saint's Church in Clifton, Bristol. Details to be announced soon!

In the run up to this I will be releasing a promotional video about Copland and the Copland 125 initiative and launching a YouTube channel in which I talk about Copland's music and other music that inspires me.

During Copland's birthday year I will be setting up a music fund. This will enable pieces of music that deserve to be heard to get played in Bristol. Copland 125 will therefore be a rallying cry celebrating young, aspiring composers of today and neglected works of the past. I want to hear music that reflects modern society and speaks about issues of our time. Copland 125 will make this possible taking forward Copland's life long efforts to reframe the relevance of classical music in today's society.

Please help me celebrate this colossus of classical music by supporting with a donation for this Fanfare for a Very Uncommon Man!

If you want to get a feel for Copland's music and how it can appeal to kids see this video:

BBC Teach Jameela Jamil on Fanfare for the Common Man by Aaron Copland

This piece is another great one for getting kids interested in music - it's one of the pieces that appealed to me when I was a kid

An introduction to Rodeo - Hoe-Down by Aaron Copland | Ten Pieces | BBC Teach

Here's another short video showing how Copland painted pictures with his music for the ballet Billy the Kid:

Philharmonia Orchestra Listening Guide Copland's Billy the Kid