Late 19th Century Music

Other Music in America

It wasn’t ALL about racism.

Let’s look at some other types of music going on in America.

To do that – we need to look at another social function…

DANCING!

Why do people write music?

To Portray emotionsCourtship, love, social functions, comedy, etc

Make money To move to and dance to

Dance in America – late 1900’s

Group Dancing - Geometric Shapes Square Dance Line Dancing

Partner Dancing - Waltz, mazurka, polka

Both styles had Limited physical contact

Dance in America – Where?

This type of dancing occurred mainly in the middle & upper classes of America

At what was known as a ball.

The “ball” Organized program of preselected

music Music was played by a live band (why?) There were a sequence of dances that

occurred – and you knew this order before going.

Typical Dance Program

Waltz Polka Overseen by a “dance master”

Dance Master: Called out movements Used a dance manual (instructions)

Influence

Modeled after European high society traditions

A way for Americans to show – in public – that they knew how to live “the refined” life

So in other words…. …A status symbol

What are some status symbols that exist in

today's culture?

Dress Code

SPECIFIC instructions – no wavering Black Dress Coat, black/white vest Black pants, white necktie Leather Boots White Gloves Hair neatly groomed

Focus of Ballroom dancing

This was about uniformity and restraint NOT emotion or expression

There were books on HOW you should dance

Does anything like this happen today?

Time moves on…

At the end of the 19th century: Group dancing begins to be

replaced by couples dancing. No one likes change, and there

were protests… Who do you think complained the

most? The Dance Masters! – no more

jobs!!

The music of the dance

Early on – adaptations of popular tunes Turkey in the Straw Camptown Races Arranged for instrumentalists

Then – we start seeing original music

The musicians

Who were they? Ex-military personnel Played in the Union Army It’s estimated that during the Civil

War, the Union Army had 500 Bands and over 9,000 musicians

War ends – some bands stay in the military Others disband – go home, start own band

in their community

And thus – the community band was born

Community Band Competitions of the 1860’s

The Community Band Thrived from 1890-1920’s Every town had one. If you did not

– you were considered to be a town “behind the times”

Some of these still exist today – but the majority of them either folded around 1940’s or became part of the public school systems.

PA is still a “hot spot” for community bands

Ringgold Band Formed in Reading,

PA in 1852 One of the first in

the United States

Still exists today – musicians from all over the area

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lgh6KtoqIVY

John Philip Sousa

1854-1932 Bandleader, conductor, composer Known as the “March King” Conductor of US Marine Band, then

formed his own group Constantly touring America &

Europe

1st American “Supergroup”

24 phonograph recordings between 1895 and 1918

Died in Reading, PA after conducting a concert of the Ringgold Band.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bR1uUOHPX5E

One of the first musicians to actually negotiate with publishers for royalties

Advocated copyright reform in the industry

Stars & Stripes Forever Written in 1896 Background: On a trip to Europe with his wife Received word his band’s manager die,

had to return back to US suddenly Is a tribute to him Is the official march of the US One of the few that also have lyrics Possibly the most famous march

worldwide

First Section (A, A repeated) Let martial note in triumph float

And liberty extend its mighty handA flag appears 'mid thunderous cheers,The banner of the Western land.

The emblem of the brave and trueIts folds protect no tyrant crew;The red and white and starry blueIs freedom's shield and hope.

First Section (B, B Repeated) Other nations may deem their flags the

bestAnd cheer them with fervid elationBut the flag of the North and South and WestIs the flag of flags, the flag of Freedom's nation.

(repeats)

Second Section (C ) Hurrah for the flag of the free!

May it wave as our standard forever,The gem of the land and the sea,The banner of the right.

Let despots remember the dayWhen our fathers with mighty endeavorProclaimed as they marched to the frayThat by their might and by their rightIt waves forever.

Usually played after every public speech the President gives

Every major military musical ensemble concludes their concert with this piece.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-7XWhyvIpE

March Madness

March Madness

Marches follow a very strict form Always in some type of duple

meter 2/4, 4/4, 6/8 (why?)

Sousa used this form for practically every march he wrote.

It’s a formula He knew what to write next Audiences knew what to expect

March Madness

Starts with an Introduction 4-8 measure fanfare that sets the mood

Each section is called a “strain” The third section is called the trio

The “trio” is usually played by a smaller group of instruments

It always changes key here This is considered to be the “Main Melody”

of the march (i.e. the part everyone remembers)

March Madness The fourth section is called the

“Dog Fight” A musical “battle” occurs here,

usually between high and low instruments

The “Stinger” A final short note at the end of the

march Most marches have a stinger, but not

all

March Form First Section

Introduction A, A B, B

Second Section – Key Change C (trio) Dogfight C Repeat the Dogfight

and last C, add stinger

Washington Posthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mxrh1CrMmTY

Semper Fidelishttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgABUZ4i9co