[PCB Members] Fwd: The Unfortunate Band of the Iron Brigade - program notes

[Denise Guilbert]

This is from David.  Thought you would enjoy. 
See you Monday night!
Denise Guilbert
fundempress at aol.com
214.676.7943 cel

Begin forwarded message:

> From: David Lovrien <dlovrien at gmail.com>
> Date: September 30, 2018 at 4:07:28 PM CDT
> To: Denise Guilbert <fundempress at aol.com>
> Subject: The Unfortunate Band of the Iron Brigade - program notes
> 
> (The Unfortunate) Band of the Iron Brigade
> 
> During the Civil War the so-called "Iron Brigade" (made up of soldiers from Wisconsin and Michigan) was among the fiercest fighting units in the Army of the Potomac. They distinguished themselves at Bull Run, Antietam, Gettysburg and many other battles. And their brass band was also well-known... as the WORST musical outfit in the entire Union Army. The diaries of the soldiers say the band knew only one song: The Village Quickstep. They played it so badly and so slowly that the men had to stand with one foot in the air during parades waiting for the next beat of music. Their infamy became such a scandal that the Army sent the brother of legendary bandmaster Patrick Gilmore to address the problems. He gave up after a week, and not only was the band dissolved but the U.S. government overhauled its entire process of organizing military musical units. It seems that this brigade was one of many that had been transferring all their discipline problems into the band.
> 
> This march begins with The Village Quickstep, played out of tune at "47 paces per minute" (as was recorded in one soldier's diary). The full quickstep is then played at a brighter tempo, with a degree of dissonance that may remind you of Charles Ives. Eventually the brass break into melodious harmony, representing weary soldiers raising their voices to drown out the band. The tune is "Rosalie The Prairie Flower" but the men's parody lyrics sing of a wayward cow vandalizing local farms. Strains of "Battle Cry of Freedom" and "Tramp, Tramp, Tramp, The Boys Are Marching" are heard from the woodwinds over the Rosalie melody. The quickstep then returns, joined by "The Campbells Are Coming," representing the Irish companies. The Germans of Company F follow next with a stately rendition of "The Pope He Leads A Happy Life". The original tune returns a final time, blended with other Civil War tunes such as "Marching Through Georgia," "When This Cruel War Is Over," and finally "Battle Hymn of the Republic." 
> 
> This work is dedicated to the composer's great-great-grandfather, Hiram French, who was a musician of the 6th Wisconsin Infantry and later a composer and music educator. 
> 
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