The Diamond State Concert Band & American Legion Post #21. Proudly Presentss. A Musical Salute to U.S. Veterans Commemorating Veteran s Day 2005

Transcription

1 The Diamond State Concert Band & American Legion Post #21 Proudly Presentss A Musical Salute to U.S. Veterans Commemorating Veteran s Day 2005

2 Vietnam War: Black Granite by James Hosey This composition celebrates the valor, courage and honor of those who served in Vietnam.

3 Korean War: Inchon by Robert W. Smith This arrangement examines the blending and conflict of two cultures. Listen for the mixture of traditional Korean music and American jazz music.

4 World War II: th Anniversary of the war s end The following selections show the relationship between music and this war, but they also how music is affected by and effects history, in general.

5 Eagle Squadron March by Kenneth Alford Life imitates art. The long shadow that this war cast on our nation still inspires artwork (in movies, music and the fine arts) today. The inspiration for this work was the American airmen who volunteered for service in the British Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain in 1940 before the United States entered the war. These fighters were known as "Eagle Squadron". The march has all of Alford's classic touches, with snatches of the "RAF March Past" and the "Star Spangled Banner" cleverly placed in the trio and the finale.

6 At Dawn They Slept by Jay Bocook This musical remembrance pays tribute to fallen heroes of December 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor (Honolulu, HI) that forced the United States into World War II. Opening with a peaceful setting by the woodwinds, the day is heralded in by a lone bugler. It's a powerful musical statement that concludes ultimately on an optimistic note that looks to a brighter future.

7 Music & World War II This era s music played an important role in celebrating our democratic and pluralistic ideals in the face of fascism, entertaining troops fighting abroad & at home, lifting the spirits of the American public, honoring the dead, and reminding the public about the horrors of war. Life imitated art and art imitated life.

8 Remembering the Horrors of War Theme from Schindler s List by John Williams Soloist: Anna Parks More than 6 million Jews were murdered by the Nazis in Germany during WWII. Music and movies have regularly reminded society of these crimes so that they may never happen again. Oscar Schindler protected many Jews from certain death by employing them in his factory.

9 Honoring the Dead The sacrifice of one family, the Sullivans of Waterloo, Iowa, was featured in a 1944 movie bearing the family name. The Sullivan family lost all of their five sons when they were killed at Guadalcanal on the cruiser Juneau on November 11, An outpouring of American public sympathy for the family caused the Navy to alter its policy about family members serving together; they ruled that brothers could not serve aboard the same vessel. The story of this tragedy caught Hollywood's attention and in 1943 the film, The Sullivans, was released. At the New York Premier, in the lobby of the Roxie Theater, the Sullivan brothers' parents sold war bonds to raise money for the war effort and to boost public morale.

10 The Light Eternal by James Swearingen On February 3, 1943, The S.S. Dorchester, an American troop transport vessel, sank in the icy waters off the coast of Greenland, the victim of a German U-boat. Of the 904 men on board, 605 were lost. Among those who perished were four Army chaplains, each of a different faith, each called to the same duty. The Light Eternal, based on our national hymn, God of Our Fathers, is a reflective piece that recounts this magnificent story.

11 Lifting Spirits at Home & Abroad Swing composers and conductors played an important role in entertaining troops in the many theaters of the war. Artie Shaw (who recently passed away) and Glenn Miller disbanded their popular and successful orchestras to join the military and formed bands that played in jungles, on aircraft carriers and in base camps. Glenn Miller lost his life over the English Channel flying from one concert to the next when his plane was shot down.

12 Embraceable You arranged by Warren Barker Written by George & Ira Gershwin Soloist Jill Shute Many songs of this era are classics in the American songbook. They provided distractions and comfort to Americans separated by war.

13 Celebrating American Ideals Our nation asked much of its citizens including all of its musicians, regardless of their race, sex, creed or ethnicity. Many of those who responded (even though they were discriminated against in their own nation) became icons of that era and succeeding generations and showed America and the world that a multi-ethnic society could be inclusive, productive and peaceful.

14 Duke Ellington in Concert arranged by Paul Murtha This arrangement celebrates swing and the birth of jazz which developed during the war years. A major architect of jazz was Duke Ellington. Conductors such as Benny Goodman and Duke Ellington who were either too old or physically disqualified to join the military played important roles in the USO or raising funds for the war effort. For example, Duke Ellington held a nationally-aired weekly war bonds radio show during which he urged Americans to invest more in America and the war.

15 The Homefront: Musical Memories from World War II arranged by James Christensen Many patriotic songs were penned and played in this period. Songs such as God Bless America enabled Americans to endure the sacrifices that the war required. You will recognize many of them in this arrangement.

16 Hymn to the Fallen by John Williams Inspired by the families who gave all their sons to the war and created for the film Saving Private Ryan, this sensitive and emotional song celebrates the sacrifices many families and the soldiers who protected one another.

17 Role of Music in Wartime Music celebrates our peaceful & productive multi-ethnic society Music plays an important role in trying times: To comfort troops, their families & the public To demostrate & celebrate the culture of a free nation To honor the dead Artists are called to serve our nation Life imitates art AND art imitates life The impact of war should be remembered for a long time after war; music and other arts play an important role in doing that.

18 Please Join Us In... Honoring Our Veterans Armed Forces Salute, arr. by Bob Lowden Hoping for Peace Let There be Peace on Earth, arr. by Ed Huckeby Celebrating Our Rich Cultural Heritage Stars & Stripes Forever, by John Philip Sousa