One of the most acknowledged composers in the Civil War of 1861 to 1965 was the Sousa Band. The leader of the group has depicted a unique integration in their work. Sousa is regarded one of the best and successful musician. In his argument, entertainment music was much important when compared with music meant for education. This is one of the philosophies that guided his work as a composer and more so a real musician (Bierley, Paul, 44). His first work can be dated back in the 1910. During this time, he put into book “mission in music” . In his opinion, the content and principles behind this music could be listened to whole over the world and without any objection. This is because his major aim was to release music that touches the heart of his audience, that would inspire all people and also to change people’s attitude towards music. His major goal as a musician was to lead all the American and also deal with other issues using a simple and straight music. Additionally, he wanted his music to be easily understood.
In the Civil War period, all the streets of Washington were filled with military. The played their band. This motivated Sousa as he felt that such songs were the ones that he would want. The band was simple and matched to folk songs and dance tunes. This was one of the factors that influenced Sousa in his early life (Smart, James, 66). He much interested in music and therefore studied it throughout his life. He had more interest on classics and embraced changes the enhanced the society into modernity. In his opinion, there is no hierarchy in art.
At his young age, Sousa was very motivated into composing of music. This was influenced by various factors that led to his development and his distinctiveness. He believes himself as an American and therefore if born in any other part of the world, his work could have taken completely different direction. According to him, there are several individuals whom he acknowledges as his mentors and that they contributed to his success (Bierley, Paul, 89). This involves such individuals as Bach, who he views him as the best composer of his time and Wagner who made him make a visit to dramatist’s grave at Bayreuth. To Sousa, quality was the key to everything. Victor Herbert had quality work. The above people had a link to his early operettas (Smart, James, 78)
According to Sousa, his knowledge as a composer originated from God. He, therefore, could associate his success to any known professional, and if he did so, it was few days. During this time, he believed that those who did not believe in God could not be successful in his composing. For instance in his words during an interview, he said that the only music that would be successful was that which is created by coordination between the composer and God. In his opinion, it is God help him compose the song and also set up the ears of the audience to hear and comprehend the music. Additionally he believed that the inspiration is also a key factor of success.
Inspiration comes unknowingly. Such inspiration comes from wonderful occurrences, beautiful sights, poetry, and dreams, in a walk or even within the podium. His good composition came as through inspiration moments. During this time, he could anticipate himself into the environment that he desired to create (Smart, James, 133). At this moment, inspiration could come in bring a pool of ideas. Self-appreciation was also a factor that influenced his success. He felt that his composition were more dear to him. The songs were nearer to his heart. Majority of his songs clearly brings out his inner feelings. His work was not linked to symphonies. This was not his taste. His specialty was on short and concentrated compositions.
Other factors that contributed to his success include his genius traits. Based on this, he could only listen to a composition, and he was right on the type. He also was very sharp and accurate in playing musical instruments such as piano. This and his ability to compose, he was good to go. The next factor is extraordinary concentration. He was in a position to compose in any kind of environment (Berger, Kenneth, 188). This involved in trains, hotels even in a backstage dressing room. The other factor is that he was able to embrace changes that were coming into the society. He was aware that people’s way of thinking was alarmingly changing and therefore needed some showmanship. Based on this, he could change his song at the last minutes to suit his current audience. To access the level of appreciation among his audiences, he employed encores. According to him, requesting for applauses from the audience was not his type (Berger, Kenneth, 201). He believed that the audience needed it some appreciation, and there was no need to keep them waiting.
The second phase focuses on the Patriotic Broadway. This is linked to 20th century across the World War I. The best and acknowledge composer during this period was George M. Cohan.
The song composition of George M. Cohan was a one-dimensional field of career that took in regard all the elements of the theatre acting, singing, dancing, directing, playwriting, choreography, casing and financing. He was born in a family with much interest on theater. As a result, he generated interest in American musical stage. He spent most of life in the theater composing and producing different arts (Cohan, George & Mary Cohan, 126). He attended school for a very short time in Providence, Rhode Island. In his early life, he did not any other kind of interaction rather than that which he observed on stage. In this regards, he was less conversant with the American way of life and culture. His first songs that he composed were a depiction of the American musical theater.
Despite his young age, he was motivated to compose his own song. During this time, Cohan faced a lot of challenges. Whenever he presented his songs to be published, it was not. He was even told that his songs were not publishable. Despite being discouraged, Cohan was unstoppable. After moving into New York, his parent were astonished by their success. His young sister Josie was awarded a contract by Keith’s Union Square. As a result, Cohan decided o focus his effort in song composition (Cohan, George & Mary Cohan, 188).
His success was as a result of much concentration and frequent visits to different music houses. Cohan believed that he was meant to be a songwriter. Despite this gift, all was not just a walk in the park. He was worked extra hard day in day out. An additional advantage is that he had good knowledge of the use of musical instruments such as a piano. He worked tireless to enhance his melody and how create rhymes. The publishers needed huge sum of money to record his songs. After recording, he could only sell his music as little as ten to twenty-five dollars.
Over time, he had dramatically grown. This was marked by release of the song “Why Did Nellie Leave Home?” a song produced by Witmark Company. Another one was “Hot Tamale Avenue” produced by May Irwin. Cohan were currently back on stage and heated all over the country. Their demand was very high such that they could now get approximately $1000 in one week. They pressed on and released a lot of music as a team (McCabe, John, 83). He was the writer of all their music. One of the major Cohan shows on Broadway was in 1907 to 1908. This was followed by other memorable shows. The World War I motivated him. During this period, he composed his famous song “ Over There” . At this time of the war, he went on to compose and direct plays and took dramatic roles such as in the O’Neill’s Ah Wilderness among other plays. In total, he composed and managed 40 plays. Among other plays, he was engaged as an actor, producer or a singer, distributed about 500 songs and made about 4000 personal appearances. Despite his death, his popularity continued in such movies as Yankee Doodle Dandy by James Cagney (McCabe, John, 103)
Taking into consideration our country’s history songs has at many times been used to motivate individuals to make fight against a given power, move into a fight or simply praise a given aspiring candidate. For instance, colonial military marched in solidarity to mock British crowds. Also at the time of the Civil War, freed slaves demonstrated along the street against confederacy. The song in the air was freedom songs such as “No More Auction Block for Me.” Songs linked to a given American folk were created during political times to praise political candidates. Therefore, the music profession has dramatically grown all over the world. American has become a single country with a capability of assembling musical genius. It is has all the prerequisite elements such as singers, conductors, directors scene designers among other. This is a great move as a country.
Works Cited
Bierley, Paul E. The Incredible Band of John Philip Sousa. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 2006. Print.
Berger, Kenneth. The March King and His Band: The Story of John Philip Sousa. New York: Exposition Press, 1957. Print.
Cohan, George M, and Mary Cohan. Vocal Selections from George M!New York: Edward B. Marks Music, 1968. Musical score.
McCabe, John. George M. Cohan: The Man Who Owned Broadway. Garden City, N.Y: Doubleday, 1973. Print.
Smart, James R. The Sousa Band: A Discography. Washington: Library of Congress [For sale by the Supt. of Docs., U.S. Govt. Print. Off., 1970. Print.
