Lawrence E. Anderson

Teaching: A Noble Profession

May 7, 2016 by Lawrence E. Anderson Leave a Comment

“Choose a job you love and you will never work a day in your life!”

Confucius

I’ve spent 35 years as a teacher and never regretted, for one moment, making the decision to choose teaching for my life’s work. There is no other profession that provides the fulfillment and satisfaction like teaching young minds.

Teachers have one of the most important roles in our society. They help mold and shape future citizens that eventually become industry leaders; government officials; medical experts; lawyers; artisans; entertainers and much more—too many to name.

“Being a teacher means teaching every child no matter what their needs; educating them to become life-long learners and contributors to society,” said Phyllis Falkenstein, Director of the Learning Center at Valley Christian Elementary School in Dublin.

To become a teacher one needs a bachelor’s degree in an academic subject. It’s not unusual for teachers to minor in other subjects. A teaching credential is usually required in most states.

When I was 17 years old and about to graduate from high school, I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. My first year of college I majored in Business Administration, thinking that I would eventually go into some form of business.

After one year in college I decided I wanted to be a high school band director, so I changed my major to Music Education. I graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a bachelor’s degree, then I spent another year in graduate school at Cal earning my teaching credential. I knew it would be better making my life’s work something I would be happy doing; possibly changing student’s lives for the better, rather than making more money in the business world.

I got a teaching job right out of college and worked in the public school system for 12 years. I taught six years at Miramonte High School in Orinda as director of music; and six years as a counselor at Ygnacio Valley High School in Concord. Then, I decided I wanted to teach at the college level and work with students who wanted to be public school music teachers.

I knew I would have a better chance getting a college job if I had a doctorate degree. While teaching high school I earned a master’s degree in Music Education at San Francisco State University. Then I started a Ph.D. program at Cal, finishing five years later.

I sent out applications to various colleges and my first college job was at Sonoma State University. After six years I was hired at the University of California, Davis, as Director of Bands and Supervisor of Teacher Education in Music. This was my “Dream Job” where I spent the next 17 years before retiring.

Teachers Influence

Other than family members, teachers are some of the most influential people in our lives. We are exposed to teachers at a very young age, starting in pre-school and kindergarten and going on through 12th grade. The first few years in elementary school, the school day is shorter, then in middle school and high school students are under the influence of their teachers most of the day.

After high school, college professors can have a tremendous effect on our thinking and beliefs. We have all been influenced by someone, no matter what one’s station in life happens to be. Teachers play a most important role in influencing our thinking and understanding of the world around us.

I am sure I had good teachers during my elementary school years but as I look back on those years, no outstanding individual comes to mind. It was not until I started high school that I realized that some of my teachers really had a great impact on my life.

One man, in particular, during my four years of high school, left an impression on me that would eventually lead to my life’s work as a high school teacher and university professor.

When I started high school I took beginning band using my father’s alto saxophone. I enjoyed this class tremendously so the next year I signed up for advanced band. A new teacher came in to teach the music department classes. This was the start of a lifelong friendship with my band director.

He inspired me so much, I became very active in the music department and eventually took on leadership responsibilities. I was elected band secretary and in my senior year I was elected drum major, thereby becoming second in command to the director.

This teacher in my life, who had such an influence on me, other than my parents of course, was Richard C. Hansen of Acalanes High School in Lafayette. He taught me how important teaching was. I wanted to experience what I saw in him.

After graduating from Cal I obtained my first job in the same district as Acalanes, then my mentor became my colleague; Mr. Hansen became my lifelong friend, Dick.

It was a privilege to make a living at something I really enjoyed doing. Every day I looked forward to going to work. As Confucius said, “Choose a job you love, and you will never work a day in your life!” Unfortunately not too many people can say that. I would heartily recommend teaching as a profession for those inclined to work with students and help guide them in their learning.

Most men and women who teach our children are dedicated educators who historically are tragically underpaid, overworked and under-appreciated. One enters the profession knowing that it is not a way to become rich.

I’d love to see legislation passed that would pay our teachers a salary level that would allow them to live comfortably, maybe even buy their own home. Teaching is a noble profession and those that dedicate their lives to our young people and their futures should not have to take a second job to make ends meet. Today many teachers are even asked to cover the costs of classroom supplies at their schools.

Teachers spend countless hours outside the classroom preparing lessons, grading papers, planning events and special learning projects for their students. Teaching is truly one of the most important jobs there is and teachers should be compensated accordingly.

I am so glad I chose education as a lifelong career. It has been very satisfying and rewarding, working with students, watching them develop and flourish as competent and confident individuals. I encourage anyone who wants a rewarding profession, one that will give you great satisfaction in life, to be a teacher.

Mark your calendar for “A Salute to John Williams,” the Danville Community Band’s annual Free Spring Concert, Sunday, June 12, 2016 at 3 p.m., Community Presbyterian Church in Danville. For information 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.

Basement Dwellers: The Bass Instruments

March 30, 2016 by Lawrence E. Anderson Leave a Comment

How many of us, when listening to music, are consciously aware of the lowest or bass part? I would venture to say hardly any of us would fit into this category. After all, we usually take in the totality of the sound. We either enjoy what we hear, are indifferent about it, or dislike it.

Composers, on the other hand, are keenly aware of the lowest or bass part, as it is the foundation of the other parts of the music. An analogy has been drawn to the foundation of a house that supports its superstructure and the foundation of a musical chord. The bass part, in many instances, is the determining factor of the harmonic structure.

Bass Instruments

There are several instruments in the string, woodwind and brass families that represent the lowest and the largest of the bass instruments.

In the string family the String Bass, as most people know it, is the lowest member of the string family. It is also called the Double Bass, Contrabass or Bass Viol. The String Bass sounds an octave lower than the Cello. Its open strings are E, A, D, G. Usually there are six to eight Double Bases in a symphony orchestra. The String Bass is the only string instrument used in concert bands.

The Bass Clarinet is made of wood with a metal bell. It has a metal lead pipe connecting to the mouthpiece. It sounds an octave lower than the regular clarinet. The top register or higher notes are relatively less pronounced and not very satisfactory. The lower notes are very rich and sonorous.

The Bass Clarinet has a wide dynamic range. It resembles a saxophone somewhat in structure. The earliest forms date back to the early 18^th century; the modern form we know today was designed by Adolphe Sax of Brussels, around 1838. The Bass Clarinet is used in both band and orchestra.

The Baritone Saxophone was also invented by Sax in the early 1840s. It is a woodwind instrument made of brass with a conical bore and slightly flared bell. It has a single reed mouthpiece like the clarinet. The Baritone Sax is used almost exclusively in bands as saxophones are not commonly used in orchestras. Even though it is called a Baritone Sax, it is used as the bass or lower part in the saxophone family. There are Bass Saxophones, but they are not commonly used in today’s bands.

The Contrabassoon is pitched an octave below the regular Bassoon. If the instrument was stretched out it would be more than sixteen feet in length. Because of its length it is doubled on itself several times in order to bring the keys in proper playing position. The bell points down instead of up like a regular Bassoon. The lowest and highest notes are not very pleasant, hence they are not regularly used. In 1880, Johann Heckel produced an instrument similar to today’s Contrabassoon. If one were to purchase a Heckel Contrabassoon, you would have to get a mortgage on your house. They are extremely expensive.

The Tuba is the lowest member of the brass family. Over the years it has been produced in many sizes and shapes. In modern times it is oblong in shape with a wide conical bore terminating in a flared bell pointing upward. The Tuba has three to five valves and a cup-shaped or funnel-shaped mouthpiece. The Tuba is the main bass instrument in bands and orchestras. Its function is to provide a strong, firm bass to the upper brass group of horns, trumpets and trombones.

The Sousaphone is a very popular instrument today, especially in marching bands. It has a long, detachable bell that originally pointed upward and was nicknamed a “rain-catcher.” Later is was redesigned to point forward; much better on the march rather than the sound going up in the air, only to be lost or not heard at all.

This form of the instrument was suggested by John Philip Sousa, hence the name, Sousaphone, in honor of the great composer and bandmaster. Confusion exists because so many people called the Sousaphone a Tuba. That, of course, is not correct. The Sousaphone is a circular instrument carried on the shoulder, whereas the Tuba is played in an upright position in front of the player.

The Bass Drum, a very important part of the ensemble, provides the basic beat for all the musicians to play together in the correct tempo. It is an indispensable member of the percussion family that gives the ensemble its solid foundation. The Bass Drum is the heartbeat of the band.

Rare Instruments

The Helicon is a Bass and Contrabass Tuba-like instrument. It is in a circular shape, similar to the French Horn, instead of the upright shape of the Tuba. The player can carry the instrument over his shoulder like the Sousaphone. It was first used in the mid- 19^th century and was prevalent in Russian military bands.

The Ophicleide first appeared in the early 19^th century. It is made of metal with a wide conical bore and a slightly flared bell. It has a cup-shaped mouthpiece and a three octave range. The instrument is made in various sizes but the bass version is most widely used. It was more common in bands than in orchestras and was eventually replaced by the Tuba.

The Serpent is an s-shaped wooden tube, about seven feet in length covered with black leather. The instrument has a cup-shaped mouthpiece. Its early uses were primarily for sacred events rather than secular. “The Serpent can be compared to a drainpipe suffering from an intestinal disorder,” is how the Harvard Dictionary of Music described this serpentine instrument.

The Sarrusophone is in a family of double reed brass instruments. It was invented by French bandmaster Sarrus, in 1856. It was made in eight different sizes, from highest to lowest range. It has the same range as the Contrabassoon, although it is preferred by French composers to the Contrabassoon.

In music it is so important to have a solid, firm foundation. The bass instruments supply this need by supporting the other instruments in the group, providing a strong lower voice. These ’bass’-ment dwellers are the mainstay in most musical ensembles, providing support and cohesiveness to the musical score.

One of the things I am so proud of is the five Tuba players we are so fortunate to have in the Danville Community Band. They provide depth, solid support and richness to the music. Without the bass instruments the music would lack the complete message the composer intended.

The Danville Community Band presents “Museums around the World,” our Annual Blackhawk Museum Concert, Sunday, April 10, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. Blackhawk Museum, 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle. Free concert with admission to the Museum. Free parking.

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.

Singing

March 6, 2016 by Lawrence E. Anderson Leave a Comment

Have you ever found yourself singing in the shower, especially when you think no one is listening? Whether you can carry a tune or not, you’ve probably done it.

Sometimes there is a nice echo or reverberation, depending on how your bathroom is constructed. You don’t necessarily have to be musical to express your feelings through song; singing can be one of the most intimate and personal satisfactions in life.

“Singing, a great and most cherished gift and privilege, has magical qualities that transcend all words, lifts the spirit and the soul and frees the singer to hope and dream in ways the human spirit longs for,” said the Founding Director of the Blackhawk Chorus, Diane Gilfether.
It is, no doubt, the most wide-spread kind of music making—being the only one, besides whistling, that does not depend on another instrument, according to the Harvard Dictionary of Music.

Indeed, the voice, as manifested in singing, is truly the first instrument.
The human voice sets us apart from all other creatures on earth. It is certainly one of the defining aspects of being human. The voice’s ability to sing and change pitch, makes it the most highly developed and sophisticated of all musical instruments.

“Being part of something bigger than yourself is not only enjoyable but beautiful and emotionally stirring,” according to William Hartshorn in his article, “The Role of Listening.” In Basic Concepts in Music Education he wrote, “It’s important for a child to listen to his own singing as well as that of others. By listening to themselves they may also find a basis for improving the quality and blend of their own voice.”

Vocal music reached its zenith in terms of development and perfection long before instrumental music. Development of instruments started out very crudely; all hand-made without modern acoustical equipment.

The early Colonists brought to America what they knew and were accustomed to in Europe, and particularly in England.

Singing schools emerged in the early 18th Century to teach and enhance singing, primarily for religious services in the Puritan churches. These schools were well established. They were taught by itinerant singing masters and were paid for by the people attending the schools.

Their purpose was to develop the ability to read music and interpret a wide variety of choral works. The rudiments of music and sight-singing were the basic core subjects. For better than a century, the singing schools were the primary institutions for musical training. They were an integral and omnipresent feature of American life and customs. The schools were in essence the forebears of contemporary public school music. By the close of the 18th Century, singing schools had become widespread. These schools lasted about 150 years.

An interesting sidelight of singing is found in an article in “Making Music,” Singing Helps Parkinson’s Patients to Communicate Better. Professional singer, Linda Ronstadt, stated that because she has Parkinson’s disease she can no longer sing.

This was disputed by Melinda Kurowski, a board certified music therapist. She works with Parkinson patients and says “Yes! They can sing.” It takes more effort to sing than it does to speak. The patients take part in exercises that teaches them what is involved in breath support. This makes the process of singing much more enjoyable even though the effort to sing requires more energy and diligence for them.
Through singing exercises they learn how to project their voices and have better articulation. Kurowski said that she can help over 90 percent of Parkinson’s patients.

Nick Stewart and two students from Oxford Brooks University in the United Kingdom, conducted a study with over 375 people who either sang in choirs, sang alone or were members of a sports team.
Stewart asked them about their experiences in their activities and they said their activities seemed to enhance their sense of well-being. Those who were singers saw their choirs as more “meaningful” than those that did not sing and those involved in team sports.

“Whether a professional or an amateur, a soloist or a chorister, a beginner or a seasoned veteran, the outpouring of emotion from the dedicated singer reaches to the heart of the listener,” said Gilfether. “It creates a communication of boundless pleasure and spirituality in a most unique way.”

Today singing is heard everywhere you go; from the nursery through elementary, high school and college, community groups and at local and national events. The music industry has ballooned exponentially in the past years with technological innovations bringing music and singing to the forefront of daily life.

There are all kinds of singers, from the lowest bass to the highest soprano; from the wildest rocker to the accomplished opera diva. The wonderful human voice is a marvelous machine of tones, melodies, inflections and sounds that no other instrument can duplicate.

So use your voice for your own enjoyment or for others to hear, and gain the satisfaction and fun it gives you—whether you can carry a turn or not. It’s an instrument you’ll always have with you and one you can cherish for a lifetime.

The Danville Community Band presents “Museums Around the World,” its annual concert at the Blackhawk Museum, 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville, CA. Sunday, April 10. 2016 at 2:00 p.m. Concert included with museum entrance fee. (Free to museum members). 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 of the Old West

February 4, 2016 by Lawrence E. Anderson Leave a Comment

The saga of the settlers/pioneers migrating to the “Promised Land” is replete with the tremendous hardships they endured during the five to six month journey across the Western frontier. During their long trip west they provided their own entertainment by playing, singing and dancing to familiar music. In a large wagon train there were usually a few people who could play instruments. As one can imagine, this brief interlude from the rigors of the day was a pleasant activity to look forward to each night.
“Music passed the time; it entertained and comforted; it brought back memories of home and family and it strengthened the bonds between friends and comrades and helped to forge new ones,” wrote Kenneth A. Bernard in his book, Lincoln and the Music of the Civil War.

Old Dan Tucker; The Arkansas Traveler; Oh Susanna; Buffalo Gals; Turkey In the Straw; Camp town Races; The Santa Fe Trail and Aura Lee, are just some of the songs of the Old West that were popular with the pioneers on the trail.

The music the setters brought with them in mid-19th century America had several roots. Some of it was influenced by folk music traditions of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Some western music celebrates the life of the cowboy on the western range and prairie. Many cowboy songs during this time can also be traced back to European folk songs. Other influences from the 1840s were from minstrel shows and popular music of the day. “Different brands of western Americana were absorbed in the American culture by way of sheet music,” wrote Beth E. Ledy in her book, Frontier Figures.

Frontier Instruments
The oldest and most widely used instrument by the pioneers was the “fiddle,” or Violin. For years it was the primary instrument found on the frontier. Davy Crockett, a noted character of the Old West, was not only a hero, he was also a fiddler. An interesting fact is, in order to preserve an old American tradition, Henry Ford started a fiddling contest in 1920.

The Concertina, whose modern cousin is the accordion, is an octagonal shaped instrument with a bellows and buttons on each end. It was used as a dance instrument and to accompany singing.

The Banjo has its roots in Africa. It was brought to the new world by slaves and was prominent in minstrel shows. The Harmonica, also known as a mouth organ, was a popular instrument on the plains. Because of its size it is portable and was a favorite instrument of soldiers in the Civil War. The Guitar and Mandolin were also among favorite instruments played by the settlers.

The lure of the Old West or, as it was called, the Wild West, was enticing to the people who were trying to carve out a better life and future for their family and their childrens’ families. People rarely, if ever, set out on their own to cross the vast expanse. Rather, they became part of an organized group that was led by an experienced wagon master who had previously made the trek.

The primary mode of transportation was a wagon called a “Prairie Schooner.” It was pulled by mules or oxen. Oxen were preferred as they were stronger than mules or horses and were easier to handle and train; also their diets were not as fussy as the mules and horses demanded.

Interestingly, people did not ride in the wagons, they walked. The wagons had a ten-foot long bed that was only four-foot wide. It was full of food and supplies for the long journey. On an average day they would travel ten to fifteen miles. When the terrain was good, maybe twenty miles, and when it was bad, perhaps only eight miles.

Hazards and dangers were constantly dealt with almost every day. Present almost daily was rough terrain, rain, mud, rattle snakes, rivers to cross and wild animals, to name a few.

This long, exhaustive and hazardous trek fulfilled the vision and idealism of Manifest Destiny. Many, of course, didn’t make it. There were deaths along the way and loved ones were buried by the trail. If the trail got so rough and was hard to maneuver properly, household items were thrown out of the wagons to lighten the load. It is said that the trails west were strewn with hundreds of objects discarded by the
pioneers.

There were many facets of the arduous journey they were about to undertake. They endured many hardships during the hazardous trek across the Great Plains, Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Among the few pleasures they had was their musical entertainment when they set up camp at the end of the day.

Music of the Plains Indians
Music lies at the heart of Indian culture. Both secular and sacred music was common to the Plains Indians. A prominent and important part of Indian customs was powwow meetings where mainly secular music was used.

Sacred music was used for giving thanks for life itself. Sacred music is characterized by various sizes of drums; large ones for powwows and smaller ones for personal use. In both sacred and secular music, the drum must be heard by all participants because it is the most important sound in the music.

Music has many functions in the life of the Plains Indian, according to J. Bryan Burton of Westchester University. He lists the uses as: Religious; healing; work songs; game songs; courtship; story telling; hunting; growing crops; war chants and dances.

The music is of a high, intense vocal style and is nasal in sound. It has a melodic pattern that descends and also has rhythmic drumming. “Traditional Indian music usually begins with slow and steady beats that grow gradually faster and more emphatic,” writes Charlotte Heth in the Grand Encyclopedia of World Music. “Various flourishes like drum and rattle tremolos, shouts and accented patterns add variety and signal changes in performance for singers and dances.”

Plains Indians Instruments
The main instruments, and certainly the most prominent of the Indians instruments, are Drums. The sound of the drums relates to the heartbeat of the earth. The drums usually had a rawhide head on one or both sides and were often used in conjunction with the voice.

The Whistle was the primary melodic instrument often made from reeds, river cane, wood or bone. It was used to call to the spirits. Rattles were made from many sources, including shells, wood bark, deer hooves, animal horns, and hide. The Courting flute, was played by men to court the women. It was used also as a solo instrument.

Contemporary Indian music continues to evolve with influence from Rock, Country and Jazz.

For more fascinating information on the Western Pioneers and Native Americans, take a step back in time and take the family to visit the Blackhawk Museum’s “Spirit of the Old West” exhibition. You’ll see a collection of Native American and Western Artifacts that will fascinate and educate visitors of all ages. Check their website BlackhawkMuseum.org or call 925-736-2277 for hours and information. 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.

Hawaii Calls

January 6, 2016 by Lawrence E. Anderson Leave a Comment

The music of Hawaii is unique in many ways and has evolved through the centuries. The customs, culture and music of the Polynesian Islands and other foreign lands, all contributed to what we now know as Hawaiian music today.

Before the Europeans arrived in the islands, the Polynesians basically had only chants and dances, rather than the melodies and rhythms heard in more modern times. Much of the early ancient music was religious in nature. These ancient Hawaiian rituals were a means of preserving history, honoring deities and organizing genealogies. Chants were often accompanied by an Ipu (a gourd drum) or a Pahu, (a sharkskin drum). Later, many musical influences came from America and Europe.

The most influential group of people were the missionaries who came to the islands in the 18th Century from New England. They brought with them the music and instruments they played in their homeland.

These influences changed much of Hawaiian music from then until the present. Many Hawaiian songs have hymn-like melodies stemming from the early songs taught by the missionaries.

The music of Tahiti and Samoa also had a great influence on Hawaiian music. Both the Tahitian and Samoan styles of music use faster and more complicated rhythms.

The early 20th Century saw the emergence of “Hapa Haole” music (part Hawaiian, part white). These songs generally used the English language for the text and in 1906, the first recordings were made. By 1912, Hawaiian music became very popular on the mainland.

The years 1930 to 1960 were known as the Golden Age of Hawaiian Music. It wasn’t long before Hawaiian music eclipsed pineapples as a major export of the Hawaiian Islands. The music of the islands enjoyed phenomenal momentum on the mainland. Music and other Hawaiiana became a national rage. New York’s Tin Pan Alley produced music based on Hawaiian themes and sheet music sold by the thousands. Around the turn of the century, famed band leader and composer, Albert “Sonny” Cunha, a Hawaiian and Yale alumnus, adopted Moanalua Hula into Yale’s school song, Boola, Boola. Cunha hired Johnny Noble in his orchestra and Noble introduced a new jazz style to Hawaiian music. Hence, modern Hawaiian music came of age.

Other modern influences came from gospel, ragtime, pop, rock, soul, hop-hop and even reggae. These popular styles brought subtle nuances to the traditional island music.

If you visited Hawaii in the past you may remember the fabulous Kodak Hula Show. It began in 1937 and ran for quite a few decades. A great tourist attraction, it was a group of local musicians, singers and hula dancers who performed on Waikiki beach.

Hawaii Calls
One of the most remarkable and influential events that brought fame and depicted the romance of the islands, was the radio broadcast “Hawaii Calls.” Millions of listeners across the United States (including me) tuned in every Saturday night.

As a young boy I listened to Hawaii Calls and dreamed about the wonderful and enchanting land in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. (Little did I know that many years later I would visit the islands and meet my “Dream Girl,” Jan, who later became my wife.)

Jerry Byrd, the legendary steel guitarist, said, “Hawaii Calls did more for Hawaiian music than anything ever could.” This program became the longest continuing radio program in America, reaching over 600 stations until it ended in the early 1970s. The band leader was Harry Owens, who was known as “Mr. Hawaii.” For over 30 years his band was known for its unique sound. It produced a sweetness of melody, new appealing rhythm and an enchanting, soft charm. One of the most famous pieces Owens wrote was Sweet Lailani, composed for his daughter, Leilani, right after she was born in 1934. It became his theme song and was an enormous hit, not only in Hawaii, but on the mainland as well.

Hawaiian Instruments
The Ukulele is, without a doubt, the instrument most identified with Hawaii. Ukulele, in Hawaiian roughly translates as “Jumping Flea,” perhaps because of the players fast moving fingers. The ukulele, a small four-string instrument that is strummed and plucked, appeared in the islands in the 1870s. It became a national fad and sold by the millions across the nation. The instrument has origins in Portugal and was introduced to the islands by Portuguese sailors.

The Hawaiian Steel Guitar was invented in Hawaii by Joseph Kekuku around 1889.
It is an instrument with metal strings and has a very distinctive sound that has a wavering or glissando effect. It is played using a steel bar held in the player’s hand and slid along the strings. The instrument is laid across the performers knees while playing.

‘Ohe Hano Ihu is the traditional Hawaiian nose flute that is made from bamboo. It is played by expelling air from the nose into the flute and has one to four fingering holes. In early times men used it as a courting instrument to romance a woman. It is often used to accompany chants, songs and hula dances.

Other popular Hawaiian instruments previously mentioned, are the Ipu or gourd drum and the Pahu ( Pa’u) or shark skin drum, made of breadfruit tree wood or from the wood of a hollowed-out coconut palm tree.

Another Hawaiian instrument is the Uli Uli, a feather gourd rattle used in pairs while dancing hula.The Pu’ili, bamboo sticks, are percussion instruments used to enhance the rhythm of the Hula performance.

Hawaiian Musicians
Liliuokalani, 1838-1917, the last reigning queen of Hawaii, was a noted musician and composer of Hawaiian music. She published many songs but Aloha Oe’ was her most famous. Henry Berger, 1844-1929, was a Prussian band leader who came to Hawaii and brought his native German music that had a great influence on local island music. He established the “King’s Own Band” that later became “The Royal Hawaiian Band” at the turn of the century. Berger wrote and arranged many songs that became popular in the islands and are still played today by the band.

Don Ho, 1930-2007, was a very popular entertainer of locals and tourists. His songs were basically from traditional music but with a modern style and form. He used the “easy listening” format and became an international aficionado of the music and culture of Hawaii.

The Brothers Cazimero, Robert and Roland, are accomplished, talented musicians on acoustic guitar, string bass and piano. They sing and perform chants, early and modern Hawaiian songs. They entertain the audience with Hawaiian history and many humorous stories.

In the 1970’s, Hawaiian music began its revival after it had declined for many years. The Cazimeros have contributed enormously to the perpetuation of traditional island music. They created their own sound, mixing the old with the new. Hawaiian music would not be the same without their influence.

Music in Hawaii is an essential part of island living. The Hawaiian people, from young to old, are very talented and very musically inclined. Hawaii, indeed, is an enchanting place. To walk the beaches of Waikiki at night with the lights dancing on the waters, the gentle trade winds blowing the wonderful scents of the Plumeria and other tropical flowers, you’ll know this is Paradise. The beautiful music of the islands will stay with you as you return home. If you have been there, even for a short visit, you will undoubtedly be humming the lovely tunes you’ve heard and remember these pleasant memories for the rest of your life.
Aloha Oe’

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.

American Christmas Traditions?

December 7, 2015 by Lawrence E. Anderson Leave a Comment

We have a lot of Christmas traditions in America but you may be surprised to know where they really came from. America, as we all know, is a very young country compared to other advanced countries, especially in Europe. Many, if not all of our Christmas traditions and music came from European heritage.

An interesting comparison of customs in the United States and Germany has shown how many of our traditions came from primarily the German speaking countries of Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Emigrants from Germany, and to a lesser degree, England, brought their music and other traditions to this country. They incorporated their old customs from their homeland to their new home, celebrating traditions they knew.

German Christmas Traditions
The most important major holiday in Germany is certainly Christmas, or “Weihnachten.” This season begins with the start of Advent that commences with the four Sundays before Christmas.

They decorate an Advent wreath that is made from fir or pine boughs. On it are placed four candles that are lit each Sunday during the Advent period. The Advent calendar, usually made out of cardboard with 24 tiny windows, are opened one at a time, until Christmas. Sometimes the windows contained a small present or candy for children.

In Germany, Santa Claus, or Saint Nicholas, does not come on Christmas Eve but on December sixth, the feast day of Saint Nicholas. It is said that Martin Luther quelled that practice and replaced it with the Christ child who brought gifts to the children. Another tradition common in Germany is Mistletoe – not to encourage a kiss but to ward off disease and old age.

The Christmas Tree
The Christmas tree – der Tannenbaum, came to America during the Revolutionary War in the 18th Century by Hessian soldiers who were mercenaries for the British. The tree was a fir or spruce and a nativity scene was usually placed beneath the tree. In Germany and other countries, candles were used to light the tree, under strict conditions to prevent fire.

Early tree decorations consisted of tinsel, glass balls, sweets and a star or angel on top. Christmas glass ornaments, invented in Germany in the late 16th Century, were brought to America from Germany by dime store magnate, F. W. Woolworth in the 1880’s.

The famous carol, O Christmas Tree or O Tannenbaum, dates from 1550. Martin Luther is said to be credited with the custom of having the Christmas tree in the home.

Christmas was and is a time for families to enjoy an evening meal, sing carols, read the story of Christ’s birth and exchange gifts. Christmas Day is usually a family day spent celebrating with relatives. The traditional meal is usually goose, rabbit, a roast, or more rarely, a turkey.

At Christmastime it is traditional to make stollen, a form of German coffee cake. Also making gingerbread houses, nativity scenes, and nutcrackers are long standing traditions. Epiphany, or 12th night, is January sixth and is observed in commemoration of the Magi, or three kings.

The custom of sending Christmas cards also came from Germany. Many earlier cards were made by German printers. Today it is a very popular custom in the United States to send cards to family and friends. It’s easy to see that without these German influences, Christmas would be very different in America today.

Christmas Markets
The famous German Christmas Markets, started in Nuremberg in 1545, begin each year in late November and are held in most German cities. They are very popular beehives of activity featuring music; beer; food; hot-mulled wine; apple cider; tree decorations and all sorts of handmade gifts.

In the United States this tradition is celebrated in certain cities that have a substantial German presence. Each December, Chicago has a very popular and famous open-air German Christmas Market that began 20 years ago in 1996.

Christmas Music
Early German Christmas music dates from the Middle-Ages – some from the 11th Century. The music came from folk melody origins with the words or text written by local clergy. This music was humble and solemn and sung in churches.

In the Reformation some of the music was intended for use outside of the church. The religious connotations were there, however, the nature of the carols were more secular than the music sung in church. In the 19th Century much of the Christmas music we know today came into being. Some of the favorite carols we sing today actually came from German traditions. Lo, How a Rose E’re Blooming, circa 1599, In Dulci Jubilo, circa 14th Century and the best know version, Good Christian Men Rejoice.
Probably the most famous and favorite carol we sing today is, Silent Night, Holy Night, in German, Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht. It was written by an Austrian church organist, Franz Gruber and first performed in 1818. The first American performance of Silent Night was in New York City in 1839. It has been translated into more than 100 languages.

Some famous English traditional carols we sing are: The First Noel; Hark the Herald Angels Sing; Joy to the World; Deck the Hall; Away in The Manger; Angels We Have Heard on High; The Holly and the Ivy and Carol of the Bells.

English Traditions
Not to be slighted, but of lesser significance in terms of Christmas traditions in America, are customs from England. As German immigrants brought customs to the United States, so did the English bring theirs. German traditions were also adopted by the English. Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s German husband, brought the first Christmas tree to Windsor Castle in 1841.

A well-known English tradition is the Christmas cracker. It is a paper-covered tube with festive covering. When the tabs at the end of the tube are pulled there is a loud crack and out comes a paper hat to wear at dinner plus a riddle to read at the meal.

A traditional English Christmas dinner may consist of a turkey or roast beef with Yorkshire pudding or a stuffed goose. Dessert may be plum pudding with brandy poured on it and then set aflame. The custom of baking the plum pudding with a small charm in it is said to bring the person who finds it good luck the following year. The Wassail Bowl with hot spiced wine is a welcome treat to top off the dinner.

Most people in the United States have grown up with many of these ancient European traditions; thinking they were part of our American heritage. Indeed, they have been widely incorporated into the fabric of our culture.

Because of our multi-cultural nature many varied Christmas traditions can be found in our country today. Regardless of how it is celebrated, we wish all mankind a time of joy, peace and understanding this coming season and throughout the New Year.

Don’t miss “T’was the Night Before Christmas,” The Danville Community Band’s free annual Christmas concert, Sunday, December, 13, 2015, 3:30 p.m., East Bay Four Square Church, 2615 Camino Tassajara, 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.

Music of Faith

November 4, 2015 by Lawrence E. Anderson Leave a Comment

For a few thousand years, music of faith has been sung and listened to and is still today, a significant part of worship. Sacred music has a profound effect on people all over the world. It has the power to enlighten, elevate one’s belief and to inspire one’s feeling of reverence. Today, even after many generations of the faithful have passed, music of faith is still a vital part of most church services.

Ironically, Michael Graziano, professor of Neuroscience at Princeton University, who apparently is a self-proclaimed atheist, said, “Something that goes beyond cultural impact unites music and religion. When listening to certain pieces of (sacred) music I feel a reverence creeping over me; an awe that has a spiritual quality.”

Due to the enormity of this topic, my comments here are limited to Christian music traditions.

Medieval Period
Musicologists can trace the beginnings of our Christian music to early Greek songs and Jewish chants and liturgy. Church music originally came from an oral tradition that was passed down from person to person.
Early church music was not notated or written down until the 10th or 11th Century. This was a very early form of notation – not like the notation we have today. The early chants were monophonic in nature, meaning one voice or one music line.

Pope Gregory I was credited with the founding and promulgation of the chant used in the Roman Catholic Church. He also established music schools in the church, hence the term, Gregorian chant has been used for centuries to describe the early chants. However, some historians have disputed the claim that Pope Gregory invented Gregorian chant.

As early as the 9th century, polyphony (that is, two or more combined melodic lines) first began. This laid the foundation for the future development of the traditions of western music. During this time, instrumental music was not as important as vocal music.

This early music, or chants, accompanied the Holy Mass and other rituals. The mass celebrated parts of the Eucharistic liturgy. The sections of the mass are Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus and Benedictus and the Agnus Dei. The Requiem Mass or Mass for the Dead, was a modified version of the mass.

In this Medieval period, the Motet, a polyphonic choral composition, came into being and had a sacred text, usually in Latin and unaccompanied.

It was prevalent in the 13th through the 15th Centuries. It later had both sacred and secular texts and was the sacred counterpart to the popular secular madrigal.

The Reformation
After Martin Luther (1483-1546) led the Protestant Reformation in the early 16th Century, new forms of music led to the development of new church music. This was primarily in Germany, in the Lutheran Church and England, in the Anglican Church. Luther’s influence championed an event of great importance – the Protestant Chorale. This was an important development comparable to the Gregorian chant.

The chorale had a lasting influence on the Cantata that was the main type of German church music in the Baroque Period. This grew into the Oratorio and Passion by the great composers, Bach and Handel.
After 1750 great church music was not as present as before but the Oratorio continued uninterrupted. It became more prominent in the concert hall rather than the church. The Messiah by G. F. Handel is probably the most famous example of the Oratorio. Other large compositions of importance are the Requiem masses of Mozart, Brahms, Berlioz and Verdi, to name a few.

Hymns
Historically, Saint Paul mentioned hymns in his letters as early as A.D. 64. There was a plethora of hymn writing and singing favored by Martin Luther during the Reformation.

In England, Charles Wesley’s hymns, spread Methodist theology and were sung in many protestant churches, not just in Methodist churches. In 1779, Amazing Grace was written by Englishman John Newton. In 1972 the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards recording of Amazing Grace, featuring bagpipes, became a hit in both England and the United States.

Carl Boberg, wrote the words of How Great Thou Art, to the music of a Swedish folk melody. Later, Stuart Hine expanded the words and made his own arrangement. It has become one of the most popular hymns in the entire hymn repertory.

Holy, Holy, Holy, was written in 1826 by Reginald Heber. In 1529 Martian Luther wrote, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God and Isaac Watts wrote O God Our Help In Ages Past in 1719. These are just a few of the many great popular hymns of the Christian church, past and present.

Carols
Carols are a genre of music generally associated with the Christmas season. They are festive songs of joy and praise. Carols are usually religious in nature and used both in church and for secular occasions. Some carols date to the 13th Century and others trace their heritage to the early Middle-Ages. One can hear carols continuously throughout the Christmas season.

Spirituals
African American spirituals and gospel songs emerged from slavery times with elements from their native lands. ”When we sing gospel music, we are basically singing our prayers to God,” said Nancy Groeneveld, minister of worship & arts at Community Presbyterian Church in Danville, California. Spirituals and gospel songs are prevalent in religious settings as well as non-religious occasions.

Contemporary Music
Modern worship music is the predominating music in many Christian churches today. It is characterized by a range of styles influenced by popular forms of music. Historians have found that some churches began using contemporary songs in the 1960’s and they became very popular in the 1970’s.

The “Praise Band” has all but replaced the organ in contemporary church services. “The message in the music is positive…that God is there, not only in the good times but in the midst of our pain and struggles.” said Groeneveld.

The modern Praise Band consists of keyboard, lead guitar, secondary guitar, bass and drums. Sometimes strings, woodwinds and brass instruments are added. Also the hymnals have basically disappeared and often words to songs are projected on large screens. This practice has virtually eliminated part singing from church music.

The word of God, through music, has been spread by various musical styles throughout the ages. The richness of the past heritage and the legacy of Christian people have been immortalized by the inspiration and creativity of contemporary composers. The music of faith is here to stay.

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.

Movie Music

October 4, 2015 by Lawrence E. Anderson Leave a Comment

Many of us watching a movie get totally absorbed in what is on the screen. It may be action, drama or a comedy, but how many of us would react the same if there was no music to support the sequence of events on the film?

An indispensable element in all film is music. Music brings out the heart and soul of the story. “For a couple of hours or so we may sporadically laugh; cry; gasp; jump; scream; hide our eyes; notice our heart pounding; fall in love (or more likely in lust); hate someone; cheer someone; want revenge; hope for reconciliation or fall asleep,” wrote T. A. McMahon in Showtime for the Sheep. “Movies can do all of this to us and more—it’s an amazing process. Motion pictures take us on a mental ride through the manipulation of our senses and emotions… all created by camera work and sounds that emulate real life situations,” wrote McMahon.

Well-crafted music can bring to life a scene in a movie, elicit a particular emotional and sometimes physical response or reaction. Film composers have become skilled in matching musical sounds that truly enhance the action on the screen. The same scene without music can often fall completely flat or fail to reach the audience at all. For example, when a screen writer writes a scary scene, a skilled film composer can make it even scarier by writing frightening music, causing the scene to have more impact. (Like the recurring, chilling music depicting the presence of the shark in the movie, Jaws.)

Silent Films
Experimental film making at the start of the 20th Century was rudimentary at best. Obviously, there was no sound track on the film. The music for these “Silent Films,” if present, was provided by live musicians, usually a pianist or organist in the front of the theater below the screen. On rare occasions, when the theater was large and money available, a full orchestra provided the background music for the film.

As the music element in movies grew with live musicians the technique of playing the music to fit the action on the screen became rather sophisticated. Musical scores, or cue sheets, were written to help the musicians play certain musical themes. This was a great help for the musicians, especially those whose imaginations were not as fertile as others. The live musicians were extremely talented and creative. They often had to ad lib, creating interest and tension, helping define what happened in the screen.

The advent of the “Theater Organ,” a massive instrument capable of many orchestral sounds and other sound effects like clopping horses, came into being. This instrument eclipsed the need for a full orchestra, as it could produce a plethora of different sounds and effects.

Talkies
The Jazz Singer of 1927 was thought to be the first “Talkie.” Before this new invention of sound in films came along, drama was depicted on screen by mime and written dialog was shown on a black screen after the action. Needless to say, the written dialog was much shorter than the action on screen. Talkies revolutionized the movie industry in many ways and also gave birth to great movie musicals. This new method of film making often put some screen actors out of work, as their voices were not appropriate for certain roles or did not match their screen image.

The modern film composer must be multi-talented and able to produce music depicting many human emotions and conditions. The composer comes into play in the post-production phase of film making. He meets with the director and producers who view the movie and decide what scenes need music and what kind, style and length of music is required. The composer tries to create a mood that enhances and supports the action and dialog in the scene.

The composer creates music for the various scenes and the director, producer and others involved in this phase of film making, decide what music will be used in the film. The best music that enhances a scene will hopefully create suspense, tension, romance and other human emotions. Other people involved with the production of film music are: the music editor, orchestrator, conductor, contractor, sound designer, and most importantly, the musicians.

One of the major forms of entertainment for most Americans is still the motion picture. Many aspects of film making include: drama; comedy; adventure; romance; westerns; musicals; science fiction; fantasy; animated films; period-pieces; historical; documentaries and animal films, to name a few. Without music all of these entertaining films would lack the excitement, emotional impact and enjoyment music provides.

Music makes, and will continue to make, one of the most important and necessary contributions to film making. Next time you are watching a movie think what it would be like without the addition of music to bring the story to life.

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.

Back to School

September 10, 2015 by Lawrence E. Anderson Leave a Comment

Expose your child to a lifetime experience through music!

Parents all want to see their children do well in school and become successful in life so an important decision for parents is exposing their children to music as they head back to school.

There are many sound reasons for choosing music courses in school. One of the most significant and important reason is: Students who take music classes do much better in other academic courses than students who do not take music classes. This fact has been confirmed in many research studies, and should not be dismissed or ignored by both parents and student.

There are other positive factors to be gained by taking music classes. An obvious one is learning to play an instrument and acquiring basic musicianship skills. “Playing a musical instrument is a lifelong skill which benefits children academically, socially and emotionally,” said Kara Angle, elementary school music specialist. “Students learn discipline and focus and how to work together.” Angle is the principle flute in the Danville Community Band (DCB).

Vocal students learn to develop the voice for solo or ensemble performance, in addition to learning basic musicianship.

Self-discipline plays a vital part in music classes. The student is a member of a team (ensemble) and learns how to contribute to the group effort when making music together. Learning to practice individually helps in learning to use their time wisely.

Leadership skills are important lessons learned in music classes. Students may become involved in elected and appointed positions, such as Drum Major, Student Director, Manager, Secretary, Treasurer, Music Librarian, Uniform Manager or Equipment and Instrument Manager. All of these positions teach leadership skills to the students and are valuable for future endeavors.

We are fortunate to live in an area where music is an important and vital part of one’s education. The San Ramon Valley School district supports music programs in elementary, middle and high schools.

Classes offered in elementary school include K-5 General Classroom Music; third grade recorder; fourth and fifth grade band; fourth grade string program as well as instruction on Orff Instruments (percussion-like instruments). Hand chimes, as well as before and after school chorus, are also offered. Beginning band instruments for elementary fourth grade students are flute, clarinet, saxophone and trumpet.
“Learning music builds camaraderie, team spirit, responsibility and dedication, as well as life skills,” said Jeanette Brown, middle school instrumental teacher and clarinetist in the DCB. Middle school offers Band; Jazz Ensemble; Strings and Chorus, including classroom general music for 6th, 7th and 8th grades.

High school subjects include three levels of concert band; jazz band; orchestra; several choruses; chamber singers and Advanced Placement Theory (AP Course).

One can readily see there is a myriad of classes both for those who choose nonperforming or the performance classes. There is something for everyone! Don’t let the kids miss out on something that will benefit them their entire lives. Music can be a life changing experience.

“Formal training and active performance on a musical instrument not only provides a wholesome pastime (away from video games) and an excellent addition to college applications, but a fulfilling lifetime activity through community and professional music ensembles,” said Christine-Ann Immesoete, music specialist in the Dublin School District. “I hope that my students intend to play their instruments well into adulthood. Immesoete is also principal French horn in the DCB.

An education that does not include exposure to the Fine Arts is basically lacking in a well-rounded, informed individual and can result in a citizenry and society that is impoverished in many ways.

Learning, playing and singing music is an experience in self-worth, self-discipline and fulfillment. It also provides students with the ability to be real team players.

The beauty of music is that it doesn’t have to stop after high school or college—it can be enjoyed for a lifetime. There are many community organizations including bands, orchestras and choruses available for anyone looking to be involved in music. The Danville Community Band, which my wife and I started, has players aged from fifteen years to over eighty-plus; one is never too old to enjoy playing and singing, and the younger one starts, the better.

Do not hesitate to call your local elementary, middle or high school and speak to the teachers, both instrumental and choral, regarding classes your child can take.

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.

Latin American Music – Ole!

July 31, 2015 by Lawrence E. Anderson Leave a Comment

Latin American music is a very popular genre of music in this county and in many countries around the world. Its exciting rhythms and melodies are played and sung everywhere – radio, television, films, live concerts, small and large celebrations, weddings and numerous other events.

Latin American music is enjoyed and appreciated by both Hispanics and non-Hispanics alike. This music is primarily from Spanish and Portuguese countries and Latin American territories; also some French speaking countries.

Origins
Roots of pre-Columbian cultures can be seen today in traditional Latin music. Historians and musicologists agree that pre-Columbian civilizations of Aztec, Incan and Mayan cultures provided the proof that music was important in governmental institutions, war and religion. Three significant elements stand out as sources of a strange admixture of our present day Latin American music:

1. Indigenous music from the ancient Indian inhabitants of Latin America in the form of melodies and rhythms.

2. The Spanish and Portuguese, brought cultural treasures from Europe that consisted of folk songs, dances and church music. They also brought musical scales, harmonies and rhythms they had known in their native land.

3. Slaves brought, from Africa and the West Indies, syncopated rhythms and chromatic notes. This gave the music of Latin America a distinctive African style that it has never lost.

These three components have influenced not only contemporary Mexican, South American folk music and the popular music of the people but also the serious art music of noted composers. “The particular social and geographical conditions of Central and South America have blended these components into a style of music that is strikingly original, rhythmically fascinating, melodically pleasing and thoroughly alive,” wrote McKinney and W. R. Anderson in their book Discovering Music.

Songs and dances from Latin America have become very popular. The Salsa is based on Afro-Cuban rhythms and rock and jazz styles. The Samba is music from Brazil.

The word Samba means ‘to pray.’ The Bosa Nova is also very well-known from Brazil. The Calypso is from Trinidad with its vital rhythms and strange sounding English. The Tango; Rhumba; Mambo; Paso Doble; Conga; Habanera; Cha-Cha and Meringue are great Latin American dances. These have become popular and well known in European and North American cultures.

A very familiar and popular aspect of Latin music is the Mariachi band. The Mariachi music we know today was developed in the 19th century in the southern part of the state of Jalisco in Mexico. Originally, the Mexican ensemble of folk musicians consisted of two violins acoustic guitar, vihuela (a five string high pitched guitar), guitarron (a large bass guitar) and a Mexican folk harp. Later, trumpets were added and became a very important element of the contemporary Mariachi band, sometimes eclipsing the violins.The size of the ensemble varies.

Sergio Mendes; Richie Valens; Freddy Fender; Carlos Santana; Jose Feliciano; Gloria Estefan; Selena Gomez; Enrique Iglesias; Ricky Martin; Jennifer Lopez: Shakira and Christina Aguilera are some of the many Latin American music performers from the recent past and present.

Composers
Latin American music has certainly made its mark in the contemporary popular music field. But equally important is the serious art music of noted composers. Two individuals, Carlos Chavez (1899-1978) and Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959) stand out as composers of significant contributions to great music.

Chavez was born in Mexico City. He was a conductor and composer as well as a teacher and performer. His music reflects an indigenous blend that came from the folk music of Mexico. Chavez encouraged many composers to write true Mexican music. A hallmark of his career was, he founded and conducted Mexico’s first symphony orchestra.

Villa-Lobos, a native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was known as Brazil’s greatest composer. His compositions used Brazilian folk music as a basis. He was almost entirely self-taught. Extremely prolific, he wrote over 1400 works in virtually every musical idiom. Villa-Lobos put Brazil on the musical map. Under Brazil’s new nationalist regime, he was put in charge of organizing the musical life of Brazil. His educational reforms included the reorganization of the teaching of music in the schools. This proved to be very beneficial for the people of the nation.

The contributions of Latin American composers and musicians have enriched the musical fabric of countries not only “south of the border” but certainly the world in general. They have brought much enjoyment, entertainment and enlightenment to people beyond their borders.
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.