The lives of soldiers in the armies of the world have often been expressed in song. Cavalry troops often sang on the march. ‘Singers to the Front” would be the shout and the men would form up in three lines while rare songs of every description were heroically voiced. Troopships, particularly of the British Navy were a hotbed of sing-songs with sailors and soldiers joining in and provided instrumental backgrounds with fiddles and concertinas. [...] Continue Reading…
In Minneapolis, MN, the winter snow may be falling, the temperatures might be dropping, and the wind might hit you in the face, but the Minneapolis Police Band will play on. This was the case this past December when the band performed in the Holidazzle Parades in Minnesota in bone-chilling 16 degree weather. Now that’s dedication! This group of musicians enjoys playing no matter what the situation may be. Comprised of both civilians and officers, both active and retired, the band strives to make music fun for all, including themselves. [...] Continue Reading…
Today, the U.S. military is often used as an example of racial equality and opportunity, but before 1948 segregation was the rule. Even though President Truman ordered formal integration, President Franklin Roosevelt made a step forward six years before that by suggesting that the Navy create black bands to elevate the status of black Navy men. [...] Continue Reading…
On September 27, 1974, the Music Division of the Library of Congress recreated a typical concert of brass-band and vocal music from mid-nineteenth-century America. Recorded selections from that concert were presented. These recordings were the result of several years of research by Jon Newsom of the Music Division and many more years of experience and study by the late Frederick Fennell, founder and former director of the Eastman Wind Ensemble and professor of music at the University of Miami, and Robert E. Sheldon, then of the Smithsonian Institution’s Division of Musical Instruments and presently Curator of Musical Instruments in the Music Division, Library of Congress. Because the purpose of these recordings was to demonstrate the style and quality of the popular music of the era, the musicians used instruments appropriate to the period. [...] Continue Reading…
The twentieth century will be remembered mostly, not for innovations, but the two largest conflicts in world history. The Great War from 1914 to 1918 was to be the “War to End All Wars,” but within 21 years the world again was involved in a terrible clash. The world still is engaged in a horrible conflict. It is, however, music which seems to have the ability to transcend the quarrel. Many marches have been written to memorialize the battles and military units. [...] Continue Reading…
This interesting article is proof that you never know what you’ll find at the flea market!
A Note about the author, Lt. Justin Thompson: He is an officer serving with the Canadian Forces 4th Air Defense Regiment. He is an artillery officer. This story is very fascinating and has a great deal of human interest. [...] Continue Reading…