The Symphony Orchestra At The Usf Concert Hall

A fanfare is classed as a musical work performed on brass instruments, usually a short ceremonial tune or flourish. ‘Fanfare for the Common Man’ is only composed for brass and percussion, as opposed to a full symphony orchestra, making it an excellent example of a typical fanfare. The fanfare was written on request for Eugene Goossens in 1942, conductor of the Cincinatti Symphony Orchestra, as an orchestral piece to open American ceremonies and concerts during World War Two. Its title was inspired by vice president Henry A. Wallace’s speech earlier that year, which called for “the dawning of the century of the common man”, in relation to America’s duty in the second world war. Ultimately, the piece was designed to stir patriotic feelings and create a sense of strength surrounding the American war efforts. Its title celebrated the power of any common man to make a difference in battle, and to show dedication to his country.

I do agree that Aaron Copland’s works are examples of music with an American quality. The reason for this is because “Hoe-Down” was very energetic and was square dance music. Square dancing and square dance music is something that is of American tradition and people all over America enjoy to hear. I also agree with this statement because “Hoe-Down” has been used in movies and I am sure that so have his other best-known works. Movies make up a great deal of the American life and without good music those movies cannot reach their potential therefore the wonderful music helps give quality to both the ear and the eye because of the visuals and emotions that come with listening to the music.

Fanfare for the Common Man immediately draws the listener in with the beginning with a forceful crash on the tam-tam and sharp timpani and bass drum hits. The resonance within the Royal Albert Hall, London contributed to the overall sound and effectiveness especially with the solo timpani strikes at the beginning. The listener waits in anticipation of the brass section to enter, feeling as though the percussion introduction is much longer than it is in reality. After the percussion introduction, the trumpets state the main theme. After the first statement of the main theme, the French horns join in creating a fuller texture. Throughout the piece, the brass sections continue to layer with each other in different combinations each time. Sometimes one section would begin playing the theme, and a few beats later another section would join in creating a feeling of a round.

In the essay “Of thee they sing with feeling”, Garrison Keillor details his opinion on the United States’ National Anthem and the unity it brings Americans when they join together in song. After reading his essay, a greater appreciation for the indescribable feeling it gives those who sing it was more thoroughly developed. Although our society is constantly changing, the National Anthem is a timeless patriotic piece that will be cherished by many generations to come.

I especially liked, Spring: Overture for Wind Orchestra, because of the rapid and dance-like scene. In addition, I was impressed with the orchestra’s ability to perform so favorably with the brilliant soprano soloist. My least favorite performance of the evening was Danceries. The beginning was enjoyable but it quickly shifted to excessive refrains and distorted structure of instruments. After hearing these independent pieces I was able to comprehend and respect the talent of the performers of Bob Jones University’s music division. Overall, the musicians performed an excellent concert and left a lasting impression on

Duke Ellington was a musical and political genius; he was “America’s only original musical mind.” He was not only a performer, but a composer. He learned the craft of composing by observing others instead of disciplined study. One important factor of Ellington’s music was its relation to black heritage and African American history. His symphony “Black, Brown, and Beige” displayed the African American struggle in America. Not only did Ellington use his music to portray the struggle, voice, and triumph of black Americans, he used his professionalism, originality, persuasiveness, and political performances.

Without question his most famous work is his Pulitzer Prize winning “Appalachian Spring” with which he received the prestigious award in 1945. Commissioned by American dancer and choreographer Martha Graham in 1943, Copland finished the work a year later while teaching at Harvard. The song had a traditional American sound much like his previous works, “Quiet City” and “Billy the Kid” and won immediate success with audiences when it debuted in Washington, D.C. on October 30, 1944. The material of the piece is largely folk and even incorporates an old shaker song called “Simple Gifts” by Elder Joseph Brackett written in 1848. One song, a patriotic piece called “A Lincoln Portrait” was written at the beginning of World War II after Copland was commissioned to write a musical portrait of an eminent American political figure. He quoted original folk songs of the time such as the well-known “Camptown Races” and also included material from letters and speeches Lincoln had given.

Since I was young, I have always been fascinated with the “Wild West” and everything that encompassed the cowboy lifestyle. While searching for a musical piece for this assignment, I stumbled upon “Hoedown” by Aaron Copland, and immediately knew this was the correct musical piece for me. When listening to the music, you feel as if you are truly embedded into the feel of the “old west”. I chose to adapt the music to a story line of a cowboy who aspires to be a rodeo champion. As the music progresses, so does the plot and storyline of the protagonist. “Hoedown” is a unique piece for a variety of reasons. The melody unsettled and disjointed which helps elicit excitement and helps garner the eagerness in the audience to see what comes next (just as the plot of the story will). The texture of the piece is homophonic; there is a dominant melody that is accompanied by the use of chords from a variety of instruments. The instruments used in “Hoedown” include the use of an entire orchestra, but features chordophones (violins), aerophones (trumpets, flutes, and horns), idiophones (piano, xylophone, and a woodblock), and the small use of both membranophones (drums) and human voices. It is conducted in a duple meter, but the accent on certain beats in not where you would expect it to be placed. The accent is frequently placed on

Copland composed Outdoor Overture in 1938, as a request from Alexander Richter, Director of Music at the High School of Music and Arts in New York City. Pease (2015), attributes the inspiration behind this composition from Richter’s campaign: American Music for American Youth. The score (APPENDIX A), shares program notes, along with an extended synopsis of the piece. The basis for Outdoor Overture, is a theme expressed initially by the upper woodwinds and strings (APPENDIX B). The idea is introduced

Aaron Copland has been viewed as a leading pioneer in American music. His music incorporated popular forms of American music such as jazz and folk. Aaron is one of the most highly respected and an admired twentieth century composer. Aaron Copland showed great influence in helping American composers break free from the ‘European’ style of music. In this paper I will briefly examine Aaron Copland’s life and influences reflected in his music and several musical styles.

"I became very preoccupied with writing serious concert music that would have a specifically American flavor." (“UXL Biographies” 2). Those were the words of Aaron Copland, which he told to Edward Rothstein of the New York Times. Copland wanted to make American music speak in its own unique way. Over the course of his existence he did that by composing some of the most well-known classical scores and ballet theme of his time.Truly studying Aaron Copeland’s life, an individual can recognize that Copeland is a true American icon by analyzing his life experiences and understanding how his tremendous impact and influence had touched lives of Americans, most particularly, musicians.

Aaron Copland, one of the most highly regarded American composers of the twentieth century, was instrumental in developing a distinctly American style of composition. Fascinatingly, Copland, an openly gay Jewish liberal from Brooklyn, New York, created a musical style synonymous with conservative values, far-reaching western landscapes, and the adventurous pioneer spirit of American settlers. Influenced by American folk music, the simplicity and directness of Copland’s compositional style creates an effortless timeless, and accessible quality. Copland’s significant wartime compositions, “Appalachian Spring Suite,” “Fanfare for the Common Man,” and “Lincoln Portrait,” reflect the influence of American history and culture, while also exemplifying

The music that was present in World War II was extremely versatile and happy, which helped keep spirits high among everybody. Styles such as swing, blues, and jazz were popular music styles at the time. By the end of 1941, 96.2% of Americans owned radios. This granted greater access to music and information on the war. This is in contrast to World War I, where most citizens of the world were not as connected to the war through radio. In a way, the mass distribution of music was unifying for the American citizens and troops. However, many African-American musical artists used music to highlight the hypocrisy of the Americans fighting for freedom at that time because there was still a lot of segregation and discrimination in the United States and in it’s military.

The pieces played in this performance were Humoreske by Bernard Alt, Ecos Armonicos by Craig H. Russell, Concerto Grosso by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Finlandia by Jean Sibelius, Concerto for Bass Tuba by Ralph

The progressive era was a period of social activism and political reform that tested the strength of the country’s military. The devastating conflict of World War permeated much distress, that resulted in many American troops to be deployed overseas in active warzones. Music became a prominent feature on the battlefield and home front. The destruction of war created a motivation for political change and an inspiration to many artists. The strength of the American solider became an influence for the ideal man who was a caring husband, son, patriot, and proud protector of his country. Furthermore, the American male image was utilized by the government for