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Entering Music

Virtuoso

By Marty Wimmer,
Richie English
Published June 26, 2026 at 10:00 AM EDT
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background is a sheet of music with a purple overlay. Photo of Stratton on the left and a photo of Richie on the right. Below that in bold, white text is "Entering Music", with "Fridays at 10 am" and a white BTPM Classical logo below that

The Oxford Dictionary of Music claims that the term "virtuoso " is from Italian and means “exceptional performer.” According to the dictionary, the term originally referred to several types of musicians: performers, composers, and even theorists. By the late 18th century, it changed, and thereby hangs a tale Richie really wants to tell.

Entering Music 2026
Marty Wimmer
Marty Wimmer has been with BTPM Classical since 1995. He is our Midday Host and Coordinator of <i>BTPM Classical Live on Stage!</i> A retired music teacher with 34 years of experience in the band room, chorus room, and general music classroom, Marty also taught at the college level, worked as a church musician, and directed high school musicals.
See stories by Marty Wimmer
Richie English
Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, Richie English has worked extensively as a pianist, teacher, and composer since childhood. He began studying piano at ten years old with Frieda Manes, and within a year was the youngest piano teacher registered with Denton, Cottier & Daniels in state history.
See stories by Richie English
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