The Diamond State Concert Band& American Legion Post #21

Proudly Present

A Musical Salute to U.S. VeteransCommemorating Veteran’s Day

2005

World War II: 1939-452005 was the 60th Anniversary of the war’s end. The following selections show the relationship between music and this war, but they also how music is affected by and effects history, in general.

Eagle Squadron Marchby Kenneth Alford

Life imitates art. The long shadow that this war cast on our nation still inspires artwork (in movies, music and the fine arts) today.

The inspiration for this work was the American airmen who volunteered for service in the British Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain in 1940 before the United States entered the war. These fighters were known as "Eagle Squadron".

The march has all of Alford's classic touches, with snatches of the "RAF March Past" and the "Star Spangled Banner" cleverly placed in the trio and the finale.

Play Track #1

At Dawn They Sleptby Jay Bocook

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

Play Track #2

Music & World War IIThis era’s music played an important role in

– celebrating our democratic and pluralistic ideals in the face of fascism,

– entertaining troops fighting abroad & at home,

– lifting the spirits of the American public,

– honoring the dead, and

– reminding the public about the horrors of war.

Life imitated art and art imitated life.

Remembering the Horrors of War

Theme from Schindler’s Listby John WilliamsSoloist: Anna Parks

More than 6 million Jews were murdered by the Nazis in Germany during WWII. Music and movies have regularly reminded society of these crimes so that they may never happen again.

Oscar Schindler protected many Jews from certain death by employing them in his factory.

Play Track #3

Honoring the DeadThe sacrifice of one family, the Sullivans of Waterloo, Iowa, was featured in a 1944 movie bearing the family name. The Sullivan family lost all of their five sons when they were killed at Guadalcanal on the cruiser Juneau on November 11, 1942. An outpouring of American public sympathy for the family caused the Navy to alter its policy about family members serving together; they ruled that brothers could not serve aboard the same vessel. The story of this tragedy caught Hollywood's attention and in 1943 the film, “The Sullivans”, was released. At the New York Premier, in the lobby of the Roxie Theater, the Sullivan brothers' parents sold war bonds to raise money for the war effort and to boost public morale.

The Light Eternalby James Swearingen

On February 3, 1943, The S.S. Dorchester, an American troop transport vessel, sank in the icy waters off the coast of Greenland, the victim of a German U-boat. Of the 904 men on board, 605 were lost. Among those who perished were four Army chaplains, each of a different faith, each called to the same duty.

The Light Eternal, based on our national hymn, God of Our Fathers, is a reflective piece that recounts this magnificent story.

Play Track #4

Lifting Spirits at Home & Abroad

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

The American SongbookGeorge & Ira Gershwin, brothers and song writing partners, created many of the classic American songs produced in this era. They wrote classics such as:

– “Embraceable You”– “Someone to Watch Over Me”– “They Can’t Take That Away

from Me”– “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off”– “I Got Rhythm”– “Rhapsody in Blue”– “An American in Paris”– “I’ve Got a Crush on You”

Celebrating American IdealsOur nation asked much of its citizens – including all of its musicians, regardless of their race, sex, creed or ethnicity.

Many of those who responded (even though they were discriminated against in their own nation), including Artie Shaw and Duke Ellington (at left) became icons of that era and succeeding generations and showed America and the world that a multi-ethnic society could be inclusive, productive and peaceful.

Duke Ellington in Concertarranged by Paul Murtha

This arrangement celebrates swing and the birth of jazz which developed during the war years. A major architect of jazz was Duke Ellington.

Conductors such as Benny Goodman and Duke Ellington who were either too old or physically disqualified to join the military played important roles in the USO or raising funds for the war effort. For example, Duke Ellington held a nationally-aired weekly ‘war bonds’ radio show during which he urged Americans to invest more in America and the war.

Play Track #5

The Homefront: Musical Memories from World War II

arranged by James Christensen

Many patriotic songs were penned and played in this period. Songs such as “God Bless America” enabled Americans to endure the sacrifices that the war required. You will recognize many of them in this arrangement.

Play Track #6

Korean War, 1950-1955

Music can also tell a story about a conflict or a clash in cultures. This arrangement examines the blending and conflict of two cultures: Korean and American. Listen for the mixture of traditional Korean music and American jazz music.

Play Track #7

Inchon, by Robert W. Smith

Music is also key to . . .

Honoring Our VeteransArmed Forces Salute, arr. by Bob Lowden Play Track #8

Hoping for PeaceLet There be Peace on Earth, arr. by Ed HuckebyPlay Track #9

Celebrating Our Rich Cultural HeritageAmerican Exultant, by Henry FillmorePlay Track #10

Role of Music in Wartime

• Music celebrates our peaceful & productive multi-ethnic society

• Music plays an important role in trying times:– To comfort troops, their families & the public– To demonstrate & celebrate the culture of a free nation– To honor the dead– To tell important stories

• Artists are called to serve our nation• Life imitates art AND art imitates life• The impact of war should be remembered for a

long time after war; music and other arts play an important role in doing that.