Personals
Alec B.
The Blue and the Gray is a very emotional and strong piece written with many fantastic folk songs during the time of the Civil War. The dynamics are used perfectly to make the audience realize how intense the war was, and how sad the troops were when they walked back to their tents after watching many people die throughout the day. For example, some parts of "Tenting Tonight" are very loud (Forte) and have important accents for when the soldiers are at war, and other parts are soft and quiet (Piano) for how emotional the soldiers were when they walked back to their tents. From doing research on the folk song "Tenting Tonight", I learned how tough the lives of the soldiers were and how harsh the conditions were that they faced. Also from doing research on this piece, I realized that the song is about a war (the Civil War) that resulted in the abolishment of slavery. If it weren't for the victory of the Northern Union against the Southern Confederacy, slavery might have still existed today. This piece is very fun to play and listen to because it marked one of the biggest moments in American history. Playing this piece in band class is very cool because you can actually picture the different scenes of the Civil War happening while you are playing. My favorite song that I enjoy playing the most in The Blue and the Gray is "Tenting Tonight" by Walter Kittredge because it gives you a clear picture about what the war was like for the soldiers. I learned a lot from this project, and I am looking forward to playing The Blue and the Gray at the concert.
Andrew Z.
The Blue and the Gray has given me new insight to what life at the battlefield was like during the American Civil War. When I read text about the Civil War, I can create some sort of picture of what the battles were like, but I truly feel like I am there when I hear songs from the Civil War. When playing the Blue and the Gray during second period, I am instantly transported to the 19th century. Each song in the Blue and the Gray allows me to perceive the spirit and energy felt in either the Confederate states or the Union states. My personal favorite song, which happens to be a favorite of Abraham Lincoln as well, is Dixie, composed by Dan Emmett. Even though it was practically the anthem of the Confederacy, I enjoy this song for its lively spirit and ebullience. This weebly project helped me see more of the art during the civil war era that I had never seen before. One piece of art that I absolutely loved was Our Banner in the Sky by Frederic Edwin Church. You can see this piece of art too if you head over to the arts section and fast forward the first video to about nine minutes in. This painting has many lively colors and fills the sky with the spirit of the Union. It was great learning so much about the civil war, and I look forward to playing Dixie, as well as the many other songs on our roster, at the winter concert.
"Model Interpretation." History Matters: The U.S. Survey Course on the Web. Ed.
David Jaffee. American Social History Productions, Inc., n.d. Web. 21 Oct.
2013. <http://historymatters.gmu.edu/mse/songs/model.html>.
"Model Interpretation." History Matters: The U.S. Survey Course on the Web. Ed.
David Jaffee. American Social History Productions, Inc., n.d. Web. 21 Oct.
2013. <http://historymatters.gmu.edu/mse/songs/model.html>.
Andrew S.
The Blue and the Gray is one of those pieces that simply catches my attention. One of my major interests throughout school is history. When, as a band class, we play historical pieces, I cannot help but think about the historical context of the piece. The Blue and the Gray is a compilation of many folk songs from the Civil War and Reconstruction period from about 1860-1865. Throughout my studies of "what to listen for", I learned which of the pieces come from the Union side or Confederate side. Having this very useful knowledge will help me gain some context while playing this in band class and, subsequently, at the concert. For example, having the knowledge that Bonnie Blue Flag is as close one can get to the Confederate National Anthem will help me play those notes grander and in a more march-like fashion. I am very excited to hear the audience's reaction to The Blue and the Gray at our upcoming, ever-approaching winter concert.
Matt V.
The Blue and the Gray is defiantly my favorite piece to play in band this year. I love the tone of the piece and because I play percussion, marches are usually more fun, but thats just my opinion. From researching and listening to "The Bonnie Blue Flag" I learned a lot about the time period and the history of our music in band. During the civil war, when the confederate states seceded from the union the first flag was the Bonnie Blue Flag. The people rejoiced as they were free from the union. From now on when we play the piece in band I will think about how they felt then and how happy they were. This inspires me to play the piece loud and with a graceful tone. I am excited to play the song at the concert in the winter and will love to see how the audience reacts to the song.
David R.
Out of all the pieces we play in band this year, I have to say the Blue and the Grey is the one I find most interesting. It is not necessarily the one I like best, however it does intrigue me. Originally, I thought the Blue and the Grey was just one big song, but research has taught me otherwise. By compiling many many different civil war marches and tunes, the composer has created a true masterpiece. Within the Blue and the Grey, I researched the "Yellow Rose of Texas". Not realizing until I listen to the recording, this was (and still is) my favorite of all the pieces within the Blue and the Grey. Due to its upbeat and light rhythm, it is fun to listen to. Although I don't play during this part, it had given me the opportunity to listen, and frankly, a Bari Sax wouldn't work with this high upbeat song. What intrigues me the most about this piece is its historical context. The Yellow Rose of Texas is about a mix raced girl in Texas during the time of the civil war. Although slavery was not legal in Texas, people of color were looked at and treated differently, and a mixed race girl was rare. That is what made this girl special. The singer speaks of his love for her and why she would leave him. Such a controversial topic at this time has sparked one of the most important songs in Texan history. I truly enjoyed researching the "Yellow Rose of Texas" and the Blue and the Grey and look forward to play it in the concert.
Jake W.
Going into this research project, I thought The Blue and The Gray was just a simple song composed to display the sounds and emotions of war. Now, after learning more and more about his amazing piece, I realize my initial interpretation was merely an half-decent description of what this composition of music truly is. The Blue and the Gray is a phenomenal musical composition that includes nine very famous Civil War songs to create a march that truly resembles everything you can possibly think the Civil War may be about. From the distant snare drum rolls resembling the marching of the troops to the up tempo, lively chants of two armies, The Blue and The Gray paints a mental picture of war time for the ones who enjoyably listen and experience this piece. After learning about the Battle Cry of Freedom, one of the nine pieces that make up this march, I was intrigued by the country beat when the fiddle was used in this piece along with the snare drum that keeps a constant beat for the song in which soldiers sung to show their support to their halves of the divided nation. I firmly believe that The Blue and The Gray is that most meaningful song I have ever played in band. As of now, while I play this piece during band class and the concert, I will think of how such a simple marching song can have such meaning displaying so many emotions of the Civil War.
Sarah G.
The Blue and the Gray is a piece of music that has a long and complex history behind it. The many folk songs that are apart of it make it an integral part of the Civil War. Music has played a role in so many aspects of our lives, even in the unfortunate circumstance of war. It gives hope to soldiers in the toughest of situations and provides a common goal for them to return home. Music has the amazing ability to unite people that can be united in almost no other way. The Blue and the Gray does just this. The Union soldiers and the Confederate soldiers would sing the same folk songs. so close to each other that they could hear the enemy harmonizing from less than a mile away. One of my favorite aspects of this piece is the diversity. The diversity of The Blue and the Gray is very interesting in that every folk song gives a different tone so as to provide a vivid image of the different times of the Civil War. I can tell when the tune indicates victory or intense action or failure. It is a great success of the composer and arranger to be able to produce this mental image for one who is playing the music or one who is listening. Until a piece provokes a certain feeling in people or makes them see something that they couldn't see before like The Blue and the Gray, it is not holding up the entire word "music."
Jacob F.
As part of this personal, I am required to describe how the piece relates to me or how I am able to relate to it. However, upon examining the piece, I do not believe that any person in this class can truly relate to The Blue and The Gray, as its main subject is the quarrels of war. None of us have truly experienced the horrors of the Civil War, therefore disabling us to truly connect and relate to it. We can be swayed, convinced, or brought to tears by it sure. But we can truly not connect to it. Fortunately, there is a channel through which we can and through which I am very happy to have had the opportunity of exploring in this project. We as students are able to relate to this song through a vector, through a middle man, through history. History is the bridge that closes the time gap between us and the conception of this piece. As an avid historian, I especially enjoyed this part of the project. I felt like I had, through the mutual benefactor of history, a connection with the piece because I am truly interested in the subject matter being brought out through the various tones, dynamics, and stylistic idiosyncrasies. At times it has had me wondering whether we are playing on the side of the Union, on the side of the Confederate, or whether we are playing as the middle ground, as history is the middle ground between us and this song. In other words, our position in time parallels our position in the piece, and it is a message that I was intrigued by upon playing and further examining this piece. It is without a doubt that had it been Americans We, I would have felt the same excitement. Between the two songs, history does not change. But my perspective may have, due to the changes in style. It is all relative, except for history which cannot be undone. And neither can the notes of this song. Which is why connecting both was simply an awesome experience.
Tom V
The Blue and The Gray is a song that represents they Civil War. The blue represents the North, or the Union, while the gray represents the South or the Confederates. This peice is a very powerful and defiant song, with many quick yet loud notes. My folk song, Dixie, is very similar in that way, including a loud and defiant beginning and many loud yet short notes. The two songs portray the Civil War the best that music can, and fortunatley, it will be the best way of feeling what the Civil War was like. It was hard writing about the two songs because we arent there in the war and we dont have any photos or articles to refer and look back on. Though it was hard, the project really intrigued me and challenged me. I always liked learning about our history, and while trying to gather information, reading the details about the many battles and what the soilders had to go through interested me much more than what I had origanally expected.
The Blue and The Gray is a song that represents they Civil War. The blue represents the North, or the Union, while the gray represents the South or the Confederates. This peice is a very powerful and defiant song, with many quick yet loud notes. My folk song, Dixie, is very similar in that way, including a loud and defiant beginning and many loud yet short notes. The two songs portray the Civil War the best that music can, and fortunatley, it will be the best way of feeling what the Civil War was like. It was hard writing about the two songs because we arent there in the war and we dont have any photos or articles to refer and look back on. Though it was hard, the project really intrigued me and challenged me. I always liked learning about our history, and while trying to gather information, reading the details about the many battles and what the soilders had to go through interested me much more than what I had origanally expected.
Harris W.
The Blue and the Gray is a song that should make any American proud. Its history, dating back to the civil war, reflects upon not only a war, but a vital step toward abolition of slavery, and in keeping the United States of America united. The civil war was the key to keeping the states united, as before the war states felt they had the power to secede from the union. Without the Civil War, it is likely that slavery would still be prevalent in the south, and that we would not be a nation of fifty states. This song evokes emotion from listeners which the union soldiers likely felt themselves. It brings out the pride and nationalism in all of us, and simply embodies what the spirit of America, for hundreds of years, has sounded like. To me, it sounds as if all the spirit and morale of the union soldiers was transcribed into this song. Just listening to this song actually makes me proud to be an American, and it is for that reason I play the song with such zeal in band.
The Blue and the Gray is a song that should make any American proud. Its history, dating back to the civil war, reflects upon not only a war, but a vital step toward abolition of slavery, and in keeping the United States of America united. The civil war was the key to keeping the states united, as before the war states felt they had the power to secede from the union. Without the Civil War, it is likely that slavery would still be prevalent in the south, and that we would not be a nation of fifty states. This song evokes emotion from listeners which the union soldiers likely felt themselves. It brings out the pride and nationalism in all of us, and simply embodies what the spirit of America, for hundreds of years, has sounded like. To me, it sounds as if all the spirit and morale of the union soldiers was transcribed into this song. Just listening to this song actually makes me proud to be an American, and it is for that reason I play the song with such zeal in band.
Billy Schoen
The Blue and the Gray is in my opinion is the best song to represents the civil war while bringing “pride” to the United States. It brings songs from many parts of this great nation's history including the Emancipation Proclamation to the Civil War and beyond. This incorporates pieces used for a march such as the Battle Hymn Republic and some for dance and folk song like Kingdom Coming. Personally the slow section in the middle breaks up the bold feelings of the beginning so well. I feel the slow rich sound plays a key part in the song that builds the triumph that follows. As it builds up yet again eventually into the battle march you once again feel the patriotism and pride our great nation has. The sounds of the band creates a feeling that brings a chill, much like the chills you get while listening to the National Anthem is being sung or played live. You not only hear the great musical talent of the singer or ensemble, but you feel the strong meaning of the song. You feel american and you feel as you belong as part of the greatest country in the world.
The Blue and the Gray is in my opinion is the best song to represents the civil war while bringing “pride” to the United States. It brings songs from many parts of this great nation's history including the Emancipation Proclamation to the Civil War and beyond. This incorporates pieces used for a march such as the Battle Hymn Republic and some for dance and folk song like Kingdom Coming. Personally the slow section in the middle breaks up the bold feelings of the beginning so well. I feel the slow rich sound plays a key part in the song that builds the triumph that follows. As it builds up yet again eventually into the battle march you once again feel the patriotism and pride our great nation has. The sounds of the band creates a feeling that brings a chill, much like the chills you get while listening to the National Anthem is being sung or played live. You not only hear the great musical talent of the singer or ensemble, but you feel the strong meaning of the song. You feel american and you feel as you belong as part of the greatest country in the world.