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The composer of Faust also wrote music fit for a pope. Wednesday, before the introduction of Pope Francis, a marching band played opera composer Charles Gounod's Pontifical March. Hear the stately, serene Vatican anthem.

When 13-year-old Andrew Pawelczyk's cymbal went flying during a junior high band's playing of the national anthem, he thought for a moment about what to do. Then he turned to the flag. Now the video of his salute is going viral.

Thursday marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Adolphe Sax, inventor of the saxophone. Miles Hoffman explains how an instrument designed for military bands became inextricably linked to jazz.

Bob Gaudio wrote most of The Four Seasons' hits, some of which are compiled in a new anthology. He tells Fresh Air about the band's history, including why its songs had some "anger" in them.

He was in the English rock bands Small Faces and Faces, and he also played keyboard for the Rolling Stones. McLagan died today in Austin, Texas. He was 69.

Jokgu the chicken uses her beak to tap out "America The Beautiful." Shannon Meyers says it took about two weeks for Jokgu to learn. For more on Jokgu's work, check out her band: The Flockstars.

Scientists named a silky ant species from Venezuela: Sericomyrmex Radioheadi. The website Phys.org reports the scientists wanted to honor members of the band Radiohead for their conservation work.

The New York band's sound veers from girl-group pop to sunbaked psychedelia. NPR's Arun Rath speaks with singers Holly Laessig and Jess Wolfe, whose entwined vocals are what make the group stand out.

All Songs Considered hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton are joined by NPR Music staff for a look forward at a handful of previously unknown bands that we can't wait to see at SXSW this week.

The Inaugural parade will have floats and marching bands and for science geeks, a special treat: life-size replicas of the Mars rover, Curiosity and the Orion space capsule. The biggest attraction may be marching along side of the replicas. Bobak Ferdowsi, the go to guy for last years Mars landing, told Wired magazine he'll reveal a special hairstyle just for the parade.