Fine-tuning their mission, Army bands turn leaner

Modern wars need a modern military, light and fast on its feet, and the U.S. Army has changed accordingly. So has its music.

Mercury prize 2010: The XX win it

Which of the 12 nominees will take home the Mercury prize? And what passes for a decent starter in the world of music these days? Follow our live blog tonight for all this and more ... You can remind yourselves what they sound like by watching our rather brilliant How I wrote sessions , put together with the Observer New Review team. Oh, and to keep you occupied up until that point, here's the ...

Bells ring out over Lake Elmo

LAKE ELMO - They slow you down at 8 a.m. during the fast dash to get kids out the door to school. They make you pause and listen for a familiar tune while running errands in town at noon. They welcome you home at 6 p.m. after a stressful day at work.

Makin’ music with their friends

Looking back, it seems almost inevitable that the Floodwater band came to be: There were, after all, plenty of connectors. Alan Roberts and Mike Rowan are cousins. David Barham and Rowan became best friends in sixth grade.

Talent search to promote industry

ONE of the best ways to discover new talent is through competition. At the national level there are many such competitions, but at the local level such events are few.