Lawrence E. Anderson

The Ringing of the Bells

June 7, 2011 by Lawrence E. Anderson Leave a Comment

Music expresses that which cannot be said, Victor Hugo

The ringing of bells has played an important role in European, American and numerous cultures for many centuries. From “Big Ben” which rang for three hours after the recent wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, to small rural churches and universities across the land, bells are a beautiful and reassuring sound to many. Another form of bell ringing one can easily participate in is “handbell” ringing.

Handbell Choirs
There are hundreds and perhaps thousands of handbell choirs in the United States offering concerts for audiences to hear and appreciate. They are alive and well in many churches and similar institutions across the country and most certainly in Europe where they originated in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

Origins and Characteristics
The early developers of English tuned handbells were brothers, Robert and William Cor, in Wiltshire, England circa1696-1724. A handbell is defined as a musically tuned bell with a flexible handle usually made of leather or plastic. It has a hinged clapper which travels in one plane and is controlled by springs to prevent the clapper from resting against the bell (this allows the bell to ring freely) when struck. This is in contrast to other bells when the clapper swings freely in any direction. The handbell is used by a handbell ringer who is part of a handbell choir.

The Cor brothers tuned their bells more carefully in order to have a very accurate fundamental or basic tone. All musical instruments produce composite (many) tones sounded simultaneously. The resulting sounds above the fundamental pitch are called overtones. The overtones on an English handbell are a 12th (an octave and a perfect fifth) above the fundamental tone or pitch.

Margaret Shurcliff, from England, was one of the first to bring English handbells to America in 1902. They are a relative new-comer to the musical genre of the United States as evidenced by the number of handbell ringers here. Handbells are a well established addition to our musical heritage.

Handbells vary greatly in size and weight. They weigh from the smallest at seven ounces to a large bass bell weighing 18 pounds. Obviously it takes a strong arm and hand to manipulate this weight and size of a bell. Men are the usual ringers of these larger bells. Women usually play the smaller lighter bells. The larger the bell, the lower the pitch and conversely the smaller the bell, the higher the pitch.

Music
Because of their unique tonal characteristics handbell choirs usually play music specifically written for them. They do not have separate parts for each bell – rather they all read off of a complete piano-like score. The notes below middle C are written in the bass clef and notes above middle C are in the treble clef. Music written for handbells usually is around or fewer than four minutes in length. The bells used in performance encompass all the notes of the chromatic scale within the range of the bells. The set may include several octaves. Ranges of the set are generally two to eight octaves.

Performance
“No one was born ringing handbells but anyone can learn to play them,” said Margaret Settle, director of the English Handbell Ministry at Community Presbyterian Church in Danville.” Settle is the director of the Agape Ringers and Primetime Ringers at the church. She is also a woodwind Pedagogue. Many of her woodwind students have gone on to ring in the handbell choirs. “Bell ringing touches hearts and souls.” She said.

Her handbell ensembles are made up of people with many ability levels including students, seniors, rookies, old pros and everyone in-between.
The ringers, as they are called, are responsible for only three or four notes e.g. A flat and A in the left hand and B flat and B in the right hand. But they must play these notes as they come in the score seamlessly with the other ringer notes as if they were rung by one person. The ensemble must be well trained with great discipline and attention to detail. The result must be musically and aesthetically pleasing. “The music of the handbells seems to strike a particularly deep chord in many of the audiences we play for,” said Settle.

You may contact Mrs. Settle at msrsmusic@sbcglobal.net or phone her at 925-837-6371 for information regarding performances and the handbell choirs. If you want to learn to ring, it’s free and it’s fun!

Mark your calendar for the Danville Community Band annual free Spring Concert, Sunday, June 12, 3:00 p.m. at Community Presbyterian Church, 222 West El Pintado in Danville.

Please submit your questions and comments to banddirector01@comcast.net
Visit our website at www.danvilleband.org for up-to-date information about the Danville Community Band.

Music & Memory

May 8, 2011 by Lawrence E. Anderson Leave a Comment

“If songs are one of the first things we learn, they might also be some of the last things we remember.” Dr. Kathy Johnson

Music plays a very important role in our lives adding to our sense of well-being, happiness and even our memory. Researchers have scientifically shown that people that have been exposed to music do remarkably better in many aspects of behavior and everyday life.

Alzheimer’s Disease
Many of us have known someone with Alzheimer’s disease or someone who has suffered a stroke. It is a devastating diagnosis that directly or indirectly affects not only the patient but loved ones and friends as well. Alzheimer’s disease affects the brain; slowly, silently erasing knowledge of who they are, turning their loved ones into strangers and their own home into unknown territory. Alzheimer’s disease can go on for a number of years and gets progressively worse. At the present time there is no cure. However, researchers are trying to find a cure that will forever eliminate the threat of this debilitating affliction.

Music Therapy
One way these patients are being helped is through music therapy. It addresses the physical, emotional, cognitive, psychological and social needs of individuals. After assessing the needs and strengths of each client, the therapist provides the indicated treatment including creating music, singing, using simple musical instruments, moving to or dancing and/or listening to music. These activities and others decrease wandering and disruptive behaviors among residents with Alzheimer’s disease at nursing homes.

Music therapy given to victims of stroke also showed improvement. Two groups were studied; one group received traditional therapy, the other group received music therapy. The music therapy group showed greater physical improvement toward walking in a shorter period of time.

“Music therapy can have a dramatic effect on people after a stroke or a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease,” said Dr. Kathy Johnson, CEO of Home Care Assistance, Inc. “People familiar with language acquisition know this: melodies and songs are easy to learn and aid language learning. We can remember a song we have not heard in 20 years. That is because music memory is processed across many parts of the brain and is thus preserved better than language memory alone”. Music therapy has positive effects on people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and those recovering from a stroke who are relearning language skills. “If songs are one of the first things we learn, they might also be some of the last things we remember,” Johnson explained.

Music therapy is a relatively young field which was developed and established circa 1950. Through music it is designed to relieve stress and improve physical and emotional health. “While music therapy is an emerging field, music itself has many benefits for health and stress management, and can be used in daily life to promote wellness.” said Dr. Johnson. Music has inherent properties of sensory stimulation that induce positive responses in normal and at-risk behavior.

One of the leading proponents and founding fathers of music therapy was Dr. E. Thayer Gaston of the University of Kansas. Gaston helped established The National Association for Music Therapy which recommended the curriculum for colleges and universities. Training for music therapists usually includes a music major plus specialized courses in psychology among others.

The contribution of music therapy helping Alzheimer’s disease patients and stroke victims is well documented. Granted, it is not the “cure” that we all hope for, but it is one treatment that can make life more fulfilling and peaceful for countless people who are afflicted with these dreadful ailments.

Mark your calendar for the Danville Community Band’s annual free Spring Concert, Sunday, June 12th 3:00 at Community Presbyterian Church in Danville

Please submit your questions and comments to banddirector01@comcast.net
Visit our website at www.danvilleband.org for up-to-date information about the Danville
Community Band.

The Role of the Musical Conductor

April 12, 2011 by Lawrence E. Anderson Leave a Comment

Years ago an experiment was tried using a professional orchestra without a conductor in a performance. The results were mixed, but the consensus was that the performance lacked cohesiveness, excitement and emotion and was not musically satisfying for both musicians and listeners.

The role of a conductor is multi-faceted. An experienced conductor will have an extensive knowledge of the musical literature that is appropriate to the ensemble. The conductor’s “instrument” is the ensemble.

Choosing Music:
The conductor must choose the repertory that will be prepared for performance. Research and score-study is vital to ensure the music is suitable and playable for the ensemble. A good conductor asks: Does the music have intrinsic worth? Will the listener both enjoy it and learn something from hearing the piece? (In other words, does the music have aesthetic value?) Will the players enjoy working on the piece and will it be of value in improving their own musicianship? Will the conductor, be able to impart meaning, emotion and sensitivity to the musicians through teaching and conducting? There are, of course, other factors involved but the above are paramount.

Rehearsing:
Basic and preliminary to rehearsing an ensemble is recruiting and assembling the ingredients of the band, orchestra or chorus. Once the proper instrumentation or voices are acquired rehearsing the music can begin. When it is appropriate to a certain era and style of performance a brief account of the cultural, historical and personal (composer) significance of the work to be studied is often helpful.

What a listener sees is a conductor waving his arms, using body language, facial expressions, gestures, etc. This is all designed to keep the ensemble together, indicate relative volume, set the tempo (pace) of the work, and a myriad of other intricacies that the music demands. A good conductor will set ground rules for rehearsing, including musicians being punctual, arriving prepared—having practiced the music at home, being focused ready to work and being responsive and attentive.

Education:
Almost always a conductor is a graduate of an accredited college or university or a music conservatory such as, Juilliard or the Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester. The vast majority of school conductors are graduates of music departments from state and private universities.

The curriculum consists of a regular music major course of study including: theory, musicianship, history, literature and conducting courses. Usually the conducting candidate takes courses in both instrumental and choral conducting. It is very helpful for the instrumental conducting student to have a working knowledge of all the instruments in the band or orchestra ensemble.

The choral candidate should have an extensive knowledge of the vocal mechanism including the anatomy and physiology of vocal production. Study of proper diction and pronunciation of foreign languages is also essential.

Being a musical conductor is a very satisfying career, whether in a teaching/conducting position in all levels of education or with a professional band, orchestra or chorus. The main function of the conductor is to motivate and direct the musicians to play together, in tune, with proper blend, balance and emotion. We want more than correct notes and rhythms; we want the musicians and the listening audience to have an inspired and enjoyable musical experience.

Danville Community Band
Spring Concert June 12, Sunday, 3:00 p.m.
Community Presbyterian Church, Danville, CA

Please submit your questions and comments to banddirector01@comcast.net
Visit our website at www.danvilleband.org for up-to-date information about the Danville Community Band.

The March King: John Philip Sousa

March 15, 2011 by Lawrence E. Anderson Leave a Comment

Rarely in the annals of American history does one encounter a man so well known, so admired, so respected and so loved by millions as John Philip Sousa, “The March King.” It is said that he was more thought of and more famous than even some presidents of the United States.

Early Years
Sousa was born November 6, 1854 in Washington, D.C. the third of ten children. His parents: John Antonio Sousa was born in Sevilla, Spain of Portuguese parents and his mother was Maria Elisabeth Trinkhaus from Bavaria. His father was a trombone player in the United States Marine Band known as “The President’s Own.” Sousa’s aptitude and talent was recognized at an early age. His father enlisted him in the Marine Band as a boy apprentice musician when he was thirteen years old – after he tried to run away to join a circus band. Sousa went to public schools but privately studied violin, piano, other wind instruments, harmony and composition. Sousa married Jane van Middlesworth Bellis on December 30, 1879. They had three children: John Philip, Jr., Jane Priscilla and Helen Sousa.

Military Service
Sousa established himself as a first rate musician playing violin in local theater orchestras and was soon conducting them. In 1880, at the age of 26, Sousa was appointed conductor of the Marine Band, a post he held until 1892 when he resigned to form his own band. He led the Marine Band under five presidents. During World War I he was commissioned a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S Naval Reserve and led the Navy Band at the Great Lakes Naval Station near Chicago. Instead of accepting pay he donated his Naval Salary to the Sailors’ and Marines’ Relief Fund. After returning to his own band at the end of the war, he continued to wear his naval uniform for most of his concerts and other public appearances.

Sousa’s Band
He attracted the country’s best musicians and with Sousa’s leadership the band became one of the finest musical organizations in America and the world. They appeared at the Paris Exposition in 1900 and after making four European tours they were booked for a world tour in 1910-11. Sousa hired Herbert L. Clarke, cornet, Arthur Pryor, trombone, and Simone Mantia, euphonium, and others who were some of the most celebrated solo artists of the time. Sousa did not like recorded music. It was Sousa who coined the phrase “canned music” in 1906. This was due to lack of personal contact with the audience. When the band did make a recording Sousa usually would not conduct. He finally consented to conduct the band for a radio broadcast in 1929. They were an immediate hit.

Music
Probably the most famous march in the world, The Stars and Stripes Forever is a patriotic American march widely considered to be the magnum opus of composer John Philip Sousa. By an act of Congress it is the National March of the United States of America. Other great and popular Sousa marches are Washington Post, El Capitan, Semper Fidelis, The Thunderer plus many more. Do not be deceived by the moniker “March King.” True, he composed 136 marches, many well-known and played throughout the world to this day. But that was just a small portion of his compositional output. Basically a humble, religious man, his musical compositions reflect that he was truly inspired and he stated that his melodies came from a “Higher Power.”

Besides marches he also composed: 15 operettas; 15 suites; two descriptive pieces; 70 songs; seven other vocal works; 11 waltzes; 12 dance form pieces; 14 humoresques; 27 band fantasies; three orchestra fantasies; 6 incidental pieces; 4 overtures and over 300 arrangements and transcriptions.

Sousa was also an author. He penned seven books as well as his autobiography “Marching Along” and over 130 articles for various periodicals and newspapers.

He was a man of many talents and interests including an expert horseman of championship caliber. Surprisingly he was also an outstanding trap shooter and founded the first national trap shooting organization.

Touring with his band continued until his death. Sousa was quoted as saying, ”When you hear of Sousa retiring, you will hear of Sousa dead!” He died in Reading, Pennsylvania March 6, 1932. He was 77 years old and is buried with his family in the Congressional Cemetery in Washington.

When Sousa died the world lost a giant in the field of musical composition and band directing. There may never be one like him again. He was truly one of a kind.

Please submit your questions and comments to banddirector01@comcast.net
Visit our website at www.danvilleband.org for up-to-date information about the Danville Community Band.

Romantic Crooners

February 13, 2011 by Lawrence E. Anderson Leave a Comment

Valentines Day each February, makes us think of love and romance. But what is romance without wonderful songs that speak of love? And who better to sing those songs than the great crooners of the recent past.

Although the golden age of crooners is a sweet memory for most, fortunately we still have the recordings and videos of their television shows and movies. These shows and films feature many of the great singers who made that form of music so memorable.

Three of the most famous and well known crooners of the past are Bing Crosby, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra.

Bing Crosby
Born Harry Lillis Crosby on May 3, 1903 in Washington State, Bing Crosby was undeniably the ultimate crooner of them all. Beginning his career in vaudeville, Crosby was one of the leading multi-media stars from 1934 until 1954. His active career lasted over 50 years.

“His bass-baritone voice and singing style was unique as he “bent” notes and used “off-tone” phrasing from his knowledge and appreciation of the jazz idiom, emphasizing phrasing to make lyrics ring true, Musicologist J.T.H. Mize, said. “Crosby could melt a tone away, scoop it flat and slide up to the eventual pitch as a glissando, sometimes sting a note right on the button and take diphthongs for long musical rides.”

His influence was notable in all phases of the entertainment industry including recording, stage, radio, TV and films. He appeared in over 70 motion pictures winning an academy award for his role in “Going My Way” in 1944. His awards, accolades and honors are too numerous to mention. He died October 14, 1977 at age 74.

Dean Martin
Martin was born Dino Paul Crocetti on June 7, 1917 in Steubenville, Ohio to Italian parents. He was equally at home in stage, nightclubs, recordings, TV and motion pictures. Martin was nicknamed the “King of Cool,” largely because his style of performance seemed so laid-back and easy. Martin dropped out of high school early and had numerous jobs including boxing. He started singing with local bands. His good looks, easy manner and smooth singing voice made him a sure hit. His early singing could be described as a crooning style. After a short stint in the U.S. Army during World War II he began singing in East Coast nightclubs.

A chance meeting with comedian Jerry Lewis led to the very successful team of Martin & Lewis. Some people called them “the organ grinder and the monkey.” They appeared on many TV shows including the Ed Sullivan Show. After the breakup with Lewis, Martin had a successful film career and a long-running TV variety show. His singing style was influenced by Harry Mills of the Mills Brothers, Bing Crosby and Perry Como. Martin died December 25, 1995 at age 78.

Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert Sinatra was born December 12, 1915 in Hoboken, New Jersey. Hearing Bing Crosby on the radio made him decide to become a singer. His career started when he sang in New Jersey nightclubs. Harry James heard him and asked him to join his band. Sinatra later joined the Tommy Dorsey orchestra and there he established himself as a top-notch band singer. He rapidly became the first teen idol attracting hysterical bobby-soxers at his performances which included the popular weekly “Hit Parade.” Sinatra proved his acting prowess winning an Oscar in 1954 in From Here To Eternity.

In the 50s and 60s he was a major attraction in Las Vegas. He, along with Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr., formed the core of the famous “Rat Pack.” Sinatra had many hits and is particularly recognized for his impeccable musical phrasing. He died May 14, 1998 at age 82.

A poet wrote, “Life is a song – Love is the music.” These crooners and others have influenced lovers for decades with their talent – their legacy to music and love will certainly live on.

Please submit your questions and comments to banddirector01@comcast.net. Visit our website at www.danvilleband.org for up-to-date information about the Danville Community Band.

How’s Your Musical IQ?

January 11, 2011 by Lawrence E. Anderson Leave a Comment

Happy New Year! I hope it will be a great year for all Alive East Bay readers.

I thought I’d deviate from my usual article this month and test your knowledge of music and musicians. Have fun!
(Find answers below)

What Beatles hits were on the first single recorded by the ‘Fab Four’ on their Apple label?
Who was the first person ever awarded a gold record?
a. Glenn Miller
b. Tommy Dorsey
c. Harry James
What are the three most frequently sung songs in the English language, according to the Guinness Book of World Records?
For what famous entertainer was the Broadway musical “Hello Dolly” written?
Bing Crosby’s recording of Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” is the best selling pop record of all time. What Rock’n’Roll single is in second place?
What distinctive California vanity license plates did band leader Lawrence Welk have?
Who wrote Yale’s “Bulldog” song?
a. Irving Berlin
b. Cole Porter
c. George Gershwin
What stringed instrument was the first to have a keyboard?
a. Clavichord
b. Harpsichord
c. Pianoforte
Who was the first performer to win Grammy Awards for Jazz and Classical recordings in the same year?
a. George Gershwin
b. Wynton Marsalis
c. Little Richard
The English horn is a member of what instrument family?
a. Brass
b. Percussion
c. Woodwind
In music, the term dynamics refers to:
a. Tempo
b. Pitch
c. Volume
What are the names of the two gangs in the musical “West Side Story?
What are the names of the two most commonly used clefs in music?
What instrument is used the most by lead rock musicians?
a. Drums
b. Keyboard
c. Guitar
Who invented the Saxophone?
a. C.G. Conn
b. J.P. Sousa
c. Adolphe Sax
What are the “double reed” instruments?
What is the difference between a band and an orchestra?
What modern musical instrument is based on the medieval Sackbut?
What famous American composer had two of his songs adopted as official state anthems?
a. Aaron Copland
b. Stephen Foster
c. Leonard Bernstein
What male singer was known as “Old Blue Eyes”?
What is the correct name of the theme music from the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey? Who was the composer?
How many marches did John Philip Sousa write?
a. 53
b. 89
c. 13
The Danville Community Band musicians are all volunteers.
a. True
b. False
How many children did Johann Sebastian Bach have?
a. 5
b. 20
c. 12
The music for the American National Anthem was an old English drinking song?
a. True
b. False

Check your score:
25 correct – Musical genius
20 correct – Top of the class
15 correct – Average Joe
10 correct – Needs more study
5 correct – Flunked out! (sorry)

We are very fortunate that here in the Tri-Valley Area there are many musical events planned for the year 2011. Remember, whether you’re a musician or a listener, music is an art that enriches the mind and the soul and can be enjoyed by all.

The Danville Community Band’s next performance is March 6, 2011, 2:00 p.m. at the Blackhawk Museum in Danville.

Answers:
1.“Hey Jude” & “Revolution” 2. Glenn Miller 3. Happy Birthday, For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow, Auld Lang Syne 4. Ethel Merman 5. Rock Around the Clock 6. A 1 ANA 2 7. Cole Porter 8. Clavichord 9. Wynton Marsalis 10. Woodwind 11.Volume 12. Jets & Sharks 13.Treble & Bass 14.Guitar 15. Adolphe Sax 16. Oboe & Bassoon 17.Strings 18.Trombone 19.Stephen Foster 20. Frank Sinatra 21. Also sprach Zarathustra by Richard Strauss 22.136 23.True 24.20 25.True

Some questions from 5087 Trivia by Kranes,Worth and Tamerius

Please submit your questions and comments to banddirector01@comcast.net
Visit our website at www.danvilleband.org for up-to-date information about the Danville Community Band.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah! Christmas Music of Bach and Handel

December 7, 2010 by Lawrence E. Anderson Leave a Comment

Holiday music, sacred Christmas carols and secular songs, are heard almost daily in this festive season. Sacred carols center around the birth of the Christ Child who is Lord and Savior to millions of Christians around the globe. Secular holiday music speaks of other things like Santa Claus, white Christmas, chestnuts roasting, among others.

Prominent in the classical music genre is the music of two master composers of the late Baroque Period – George Frederick Handel (1685-1759) and Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750). These giants in music history were both born in Germany but couldn’t be further apart in their personal life and world outlook.

Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach was the consummate family man. An introverted conservative, he was a devoted Christian who was gifted as a master musician, organist and composer, Bach was sedentary in terms of travel and never ventured out of his native Germany. Born into a family of musicians he continued the family tradition by siring 20 children. He first married his cousin Maria Bach, with whom he had seven children. After she died, he married Anna Magdalena Wilke, and had thirteen children by her. Some of his children became gifted composers in their own right.

Bach’s main contribution to Christmas music is the great Christmas Oratorio composed in 1733-34. An oratorio is an extensive setting for orchestra, chorus and solo voices derived from, or based on, selections from the Bible. It is performed devoid of costumes, scenery or action on the part of the soloists.

The first performance of the Christmas Oratorio was on December 25, 1739 in St. Nicholas Church in Leipzig, Germany. It is in six parts and almost three hours long. Each part was presented on a major feast day between Christmas and Epiphany. It was also performed as a whole or split into two parts. Bach’s attitude towards the oratorio was one of absolute devotion. All of Bach’s music was dedicated to the greater glory of God.

George Frederick Handel
Handel was an extrovert and a “man of the world,” (unlike Bach) a bon vivant. In his early years he traveled extensively and spent three years in Italy studying and absorbing Italian music, especially Italian opera. In 1712 he went to England and remained there the rest of his life. He never returned to his native Germany. “The German became England’s greatest composer of Italian music,” said Musicologist, Marcus Weeks.

Handel’s musical talent was recognized early and he was allowed to have formal training even though he was not from a musical family. He is most well-known for his masterpiece, Messiah, often incorrectly called “The” Messiah.

While Bach’s attitude was devotional – Handel’s approach to the oratorio was more subjective, using it to express his own dynamic personality and incorporating the elements of his dramatic style. Handel’s oratorio was performed on stage in a theater for an audience, not a congregation. Unlike Bach’s religious oratorios, Handel’s oratorios were not designed for devotion but for a full evening of entertaining vocal and orchestral music using Biblical sources.

Depressed and in debt, Handel wrote Messiah in an astonishing 24 days in 1741. It contains elements of his mature, full-blown style. It is considered to be a high point of Baroque oratorical composition.

*Messiah presents an interpretation of the Christian view of the Messiah or “the anointed one” as Jesus the Christ. Divided into three parts, the libretto covers the prophecies concerning the Christ, the birth, miracles, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, and finally the end times with Christ’s final victory over death and sin.

The first performance in 1742 was in Dublin, Ireland. The tradition of standing for the Hallelujah Chorus was started by King George II, who was so moved by the music that he stood up – audiences have been doing it ever since.

Messiah “Sing-A-Longs”
There are many opportunities to hear Messiah each Christmas season. It is the most performed large choral work ever written. There are also local opportunities to participate in “Sing-A-Long Messiahs.” Many communities offer this to the public. To participate in San Ramon, call Dean Christman at 925-984-2860. Christman will conduct ‘brush-up” work-shops for singers to perform Messiah on December 19, at 7 p.m. at the San Ramon Presbyterian Church. Come and be part of your own Messiah performance, complete with full orchestra. A memorable family event.

Mark your calendars for the 10th annual free Christmas Concert “Comin’Home For Christmas” with the Danville Community Band, Director, Robert Calonico and Director-Emeritus, Dr. Lawrence Anderson. A highlight is Danville’s own, George Komsky, tenor soloist, Sunday, December 12, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. East Bay Fellowship, 2615 Camino Tassajara, Danville, CA 94506 (Across from the Danville Post Office.)

The Band’s annual Christmas concert is the event that helps make the holidays bright, for young and old alike. A Christmas Festival, Mary’s Boy Child, Angels from the Realms of Glory, Holst Winter Suite and the perennial favorite, Sleigh Ride are some of the featured selections. (A visitor from the North Pole may appear.)
Join us for this wonderful family event to celebrate the holidays. Concert and parking FREE! For information see www.danvilleband.org or call 925-372-8420.

Please submit your questions and comments to banddirector01@comcast.net
Visit our website at www.danvilleband.org for up-to-date information about the Danville Community Band.

Music for Life!

November 7, 2010 by Lawrence E. Anderson Leave a Comment

Playing a musical instrument adds a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction to one’s life. Many learn to play for their own enjoyment and as an outlet for self-expression and relaxation. Studies have proven that playing music enhances the quality of life by improving one’s, intellect and self-worth.

Join a Group
Playing in a school ensemble as early as the fourth or fifth grade, or later in middle or high school, is one of the first steps to begin a lifetime of musical enjoyment. This not only brings self satisfaction but is also an opportunity to be part of a group whose members have similar motivation and are like-minded in many ways.
Music teachers encourage children to get involved in their school band or orchestra ensembles to nurture their interest and further their musical education.

What’s Out There
But how can you use your musical skills after you learn to play an instrument? Most high schools and colleges offer opportunities in marching and concert bands, string orchestras, jazz groups and small woodwind, brass, string and percussion ensembles. There are many types and styles of musical groups to explore.
Other opportunities to play music may be available at local churches and community organizations, like the Danville Community Band. Civic theatres often have show bands. There are also small groups, such as traditional jazz bands, swing groups and rock bands available to players.

The music profession is just as varied as the groups mentioned above. Many major cities have large Symphony orchestras, like the world- renowned San Francisco Symphony. To play in an organization like this, one has to reach a very high degree of musicianship (usually conservatory graduates). The competition is rigorous but the rewards are great and the pay commensurate with ability.

All of the military services have bands and other musical ensembles available to qualified enlistees. Some make a career out of being a military musician.

Restaurants, hotels, clubs and cruise ships often hire solo musicians or small groups to play for their patrons. Musicians often perform at events such as weddings, holiday dances, school proms, country clubs and civic halls. One may find these positions by checking the local classified ads in the newspaper, through private teachers, school music directors, musicians unions and by word of mouth.

Teaching Music
A teaching career in music is rewarding and exciting and gives one a lifetime of living with music, offering a great sense of fulfillment. Watching others learn and become passionate about their craft is a wonderful way to make a living! Being a lifetime music educator, it is very gratifying to see students rise to leadership positions, gain self confidence and become better students. To become a music educator one needs a college degree and a teaching credential and a passion for playing music and working with students.

Being a conductor of a band or orchestra is also a possibility if ones inclination is toward leadership. A director must have a working knowledge of the various instruments – how they sound and blend together – how to read musical scores and techniques to motivate and inspire people to produce the best musical result.

I have listed just a few of the many opportunities to continue the joy and satisfaction of playing music. Music participation does not have to end after high school or college graduation.

Playing music is a gift to ones self and gives great enjoyment to those who benefit from listening to music in its many forms. It is a legacy that will last a lifetime.

Please submit your questions and comments to banddirector01@comcast.net
Visit our website at www.danvilleband.org for up-to-date information about the Danville Community Band.

The Accordion

October 7, 2010 by Lawrence E. Anderson

Believe it or not several accordion players have been asked to play at the White House three different times in recent years. They have also performed at the Kennedy Center – these are, to say the least, important and prestigious venues.

“I think there are a lot of opportunities for accordions these days,” said Ron Borelli, popular Bay Area accordion musician and music teacher. “More and more people are becoming interested in the accordion and even young kids, when they see and hear it, want to know all about it.”

Borelli plays with The Golden Gate Concert Band on “Italian Day” and often performs solo or with other area concert bands, including the Danville Community Band. He also arranges musical scores to include the accordion with concert band arrangements.

“The accordion is a great instrument and can be used in many different settings, including opera, jazz, ethnic music i.e. French, German and Italian, to name a few,” he said. “The accordion is portable, unlike the piano which is stationary. It’s a keyboard that you can walk around with giving you a whole orchestra at your disposable,” Borelli explained. The new Roland brand accordion is truly electronic with amplified sounds and speakers and is all digital, thus offering many new sound possibilities.

Instrument
The accordion is a portable, keyed free-reed instrument consisting of an expandable bellows worked by the players arm and supplying wind to the free-reeds by pressure or by suction depending on whether it is compressed or expanded. It has melody keys or buttons and bass keys or chord buttons. The left hand plays the base notes or chords and also works the bellows. The right hand plays the melody on the keys.

“What draws so many people to the accordion is the variety of sounds it can produce,” said Randall Martin, noted teacher and conductor of an accordion orchestra.

Many think of the accordion as a “polka music” type instrument. On the contrary, Martin says it is equally capable of varied musical forms like waltzes, ethnic tunes, classical pieces and American band and folk favorites. Rock and roll classics like Johnny B. Goode, Twist and Shout and Jail House Rock are often played on the accordion. The instrument has grown in popularity among classical composers. Tchaikovsky, Charles Ives, Umberto Giordano, Paul Hindemuth and Alban Berg have all composed for the accordion.

Background
The accordion was invented in 1822 by Friedrich Buschmann of Berlin. It was improved upon by Cyril Demian of Vienna in 1829. It soon became very popular in Europe.

The accordion was prominent in pop music from the early 1900’s to the 1960’s. This period was called the “Golden Age” of the accordion. In the 1930’s to 1950’s many accordionist taught and also played for radio. Myron Floren was a popular accordion musician on the Lawrence Welk Show during the 1950’s to 1980. Unfortunately, the late 50’s and 60’s saw the decline in popularity of the accordion in America. Counties where the instrument is still popular are Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil and Columbia, among others. The instrument has always been a favorite of folk musicians.

Contemporary Artists

“Weird Al” Yankovic was probably the most famous accordionist in pop music who used the accordion liberally in his albums.

Dick Contino, born in 1930, is without a doubt the most well-known accordionists of the 20th Century. He is originally from Fresno, California and became popular to the American public through his appearances on the Horace Heidt national radio programs. He won first prize on the program and eventually winning $5,000, a considerable sum in 1947. His big break came with a recording of Lady of Spain in 1949. Contino appeared 48 times on the Ed Sullivan Show. From a small town, this talented youth became the “world’s greatest accordion player.” This legendary virtuoso is still very active as a popular musician and showman and now lives in Las Vegas with his wife, Tonia. During his youth the bobby-sox crowd went wild for the young, handsome Italian accordionist. Not bad for a young man who worked as a delivery boy in his father’s butcher shop – but he always had his accordion handy and practiced many hours a day – thus becoming the most popular accordion player in history.

You can contact Ron Borelli at www.ronborelli.com. Please submit your questions and comments to banddirector01@comcast.net.
Visit our website at www.danvilleband.org for up-to-date information about the Danville Community Band.

The Arts Are Not a “Frill!”

September 3, 2010 by Lawrence E. Anderson

“The Arts are very necessary for young people…” Actress, Carol Channing

When the economy tightens and school budgets shrink, music programs and other arts courses are often the first to be cut. Young people are then deprived of the unique opportunity the Arts provide – helping develop their own creativity, learning self discipline, teamwork and leadership skills to increase their sense of self-worth and enjoyment of life.

“Rather than think of courses in the Arts as a sort of ‘whipped cream’ they must become basic experiences in education,” stated Psychologist, Abraham Maslow. “Education is learning what to grow toward, what is good and bad, what is desirable and undesirable to choose and not to choose.”

Students involved in the Arts are more likely to be high achievers on tests, less likely to drop out by grade 10 and are more engaged with learning during the school day, according to a study by the Arts Education Partnership. Students exposed to the Arts do better in other subjects than those who are not. “Students would stagnate without any form of visual or performing arts training,” said, Bruce Smith, a lifelong artist and high school art teacher. Training in the Arts is essential to be a well-rounded person.

Late in the 20th century educators, researchers and other enlightened people were in common agreement that the visual arts and performing arts (music, theater and dance) all belonged in the “core” curriculum of our public schools. No longer were Arts courses thought of as peripheral or nonessential for the education of our youth. Today it’s a different story. Unfortunately, due to budget cuts these courses are considered nonessential and are being dropped in many of our public schools.

Visual and performing arts are at the very heart of an intelligent and well- informed citizenry. Teachers, administrators and curriculum coordinators of our public school system embrace this philosophy, and the University of California system and the California State Universities do also. This is evidenced by the fact that visual and performing arts are one of the required courses for admission to a university and have been for a number of years.

One of the greatest values of a comprehensive arts program (music, art, theater and dance) is that it allows all students to develop, to the best of their ability, those qualities that will help them understand and enjoy life to its fullest.

After a member of the British House of Commons during World War II said that everything, including the Arts should be set aside for the war effort – Winston Churchill rose and declared, “But that’s what we’re fighting for!”

Long live the Arts! They help define our culture and who we are. They should be at the basic core of learning in our schools. The Arts are not a frill but an important mode of expression that defines our humanity and our happiness.

Please submit your questions and comments to banddirector01@comcast.net. Visit our website at www.danvilleband.org for up-to-date information about the Danville Community Band.