Military Marches Books

Music Law: How to Run Your Band's Business (Music Law, 2nd ed)

Richard Stim

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 18 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Absolute Must have for Non-Lawyers in the Music Industry 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

There comes a time in a musician or band's career when they get serious about what they're doing and need to start focusing on legal aspects of their endeavors. This book is and indispensable reference for that situation.

The book is written in easy to understand layman's terms. It covers a fairly broad range of subjects, and provides pointers to other resources for more in depth cover of the covered subjects.

One more notable point about the book is the pre-fabricated contracts and legal forms that it comes with. They seem to be solid, could be useful in a number of situations, and are explained thoroughly.

Editorial Review:

If you belong to a band and love the art of your job, but sing the blues when it comes to the business, you need Music Law. Composed by musician and lawyer Richard Stim, the book explains how to:

* book performances
* choose a name and protect its use
* copyright song lyrics
* establish legal ownership of songs
* sample legally
* sign contracts
* write a band partnership agreement
* sell CDs, tapes and other recordings
* and much more

Music Law provides all the legal information and practical advice musicians need. This edition includes a new chapter on everything a band needs to go online, covering website development, band domain names, webcasting and streaming audio, selling music online and more.

All the legal forms and agreements musicians need are included, as tear-outs and on CD-ROM.

American Band: Music, Dreams, and Coming of Age in the Heartland

Kristen Laine

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Total reviews: 11 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

In the spirit of Friday Night Lights comes the stirring story of a marching band from small-town middle America.

Every fall, marching bands take to the field in a uniquely American ritual. For millions of kids, band is a rite of passage—a first foray into leadership and adult responsibility, and a chance to learn what it means to be a part of a community. Nowhere is band more serious than at Concord High School in Elkhart, Indiana, where the entire town is involved with the success of its defending state champion band, the Marching Minutemen.

In the place where this tradition may have originated, in the city that became the band instrument capital of the world, band is a religion. But it’s not the only religion—as legendary director Max Jones discovers when conflicting notions of faith and purpose collide during his final year as director. In this intimate chronicle, the band marches through a season that starts in hope and promise, progresses through uncertainty and disappointment, and ends, ultimately, in redemption.

The American Wind Band: A Cultural History

Richard K. Hansen

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Editorial Review:

A remarkable amount of historical information is covered in this comprehensive history of the American band. Timelines and photos track developments in American band music from colonial drum and fife corps to the Big Band era; and useful tables compare band music milestones to those of other arts in western civilization, events in U.S. history, and with other American musical breakthroughs. The final section of the book discusses new directions in American music and predicts a bright future for the modern wind band.

Taps: Notes from a Nation's Heart

Richard H. Schneider

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

No song is more intrinsically woven into the American tapestry than "Taps." Composed of a mere twenty-four notes, for nearly a century and a half it has been played to honor our country's fallen heroes, to pay tribute to our flag, and to herald the end of another day in a nation where freedom never sleeps. At one time or another every American has been touched by its haunting melody -- its clear, sad tones conjuring up memories of loved ones lost, instilling hope, bringing comfort and peace.In a work of heart and scholarship, author Richard H. Schneider examines the legends, the history, and the enduring importance of a simple, soaring anthem that was first played in the aftermath of a horrific confrontation on American soil -- the gift of a Union officer to his brave, battle-weary troops. Here the truths and myths of this plaintive bugle call are brought to light, mingled with poignant and stirring recollections of people from all walks of life -- soldiers and civilians, men and women, young and old -- whose lives have been influenced by it. A song for the generations -- past and to come -- its power is unequaled, its legacy is every American's.In these challenging times of tribulation and uncertainty, Richard H. Schneider's "Taps" serves as a reminder of a great nation's struggles and triumphs, offering a balm for the spirit and hope for a new century.

On the field from Denver, Colorado...The Blue Knights!: One member's experience of the 1994 summer national tour (N)

Gregory M. Kuzma

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Total reviews: 15 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

On the Field from Denver, Colorado! is one man's view of the inside world of competitive junior drum corps. Whether you've marched 50 years ago, this past year or just yearned to be standing on the field, G.M. Kuzma's personal tale will give you a new appreciation for this musical art form.

"Good morning Blue Knights. Welcome to DCI Finals. The lights are on, stretch is in 12 and three quarter minutes." A couple of chuckles and moans ensue as we rise to face our destiny. It was finally here, three months of hard work, 12-hour practices, too many performances to count and now we are at the day of Finals.

Journey along with the young men and women of the 1994 Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps. Experience the Drum Corps International Summer Music Games and the intense preparations it took to arrive there.

Become a part of the action, stand on the field and learn what this life is really like in a drum & bugle corps on tour. The sacrifices, the joys, the heartbreak, the physical agony, the lifelong friendships, the lessons learned and earned.

"This is an essential read for all drum corps enthusiasts!"--Mark Arnold, Director

Composers on Composing for Band

Mark Camphouse

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Editorial Review:

Offering fresh insight and perspective into the changing world of wind bands, 11 respected composers give their thoughts on writing music in this compilation. Profiles of each composer, including Karel Husa, Frank Ticheli, and Jack Stamp, are presented along with a complete list of the composer's works for band. Included are each composer's perspectives on the creative process, orchestration, commissioning new works, teaching composition, and the future of the wind band. Each composer's recommendations for 10 works all band conductors should study and 10 composers whose music speaks in especially meaningful ways are listed.

Songs Sung Red, White, and Blue: The Stories Behind America's Best-Loved Patriotic Songs

Ace Collins

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Editorial Review:

Throughout our nation's history, patriotic songs have lifted our spirits during hard times and brought us closer to our heritage and to each other. Behind these "songs sung red, white, and blue" are unforgettable stories that will enrich your appreciation of their unique power.

It's hard to imagine a single American who hasn't been touched deeply at one time or another by the songs in these pages. From the soaring chorus of "God Bless America" to the quiet poetry of "America the Beautiful," historian Ace Collins takes you inside the creation of thirty-two classic songs spanning two centuries. Military anthems like "The Marine's Hymn" and "Anchors Aweigh" share pages with other songs of war, such as the War of 1812's "The Star-Spangled Banner" and the Civil War's "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Popular tunes dating back to the earliest days of our nation, such as "Yankee Doodle," are included alongside contemporary hits like "God Bless the U.S.A." Other favorites like "This Land Is Your Land" and "This Is My Country" reflect on our nation in times of peace.

You'll meet a surprising and diverse cast of behind-the-scenes characters, which includes both everyday Americans -- teachers, preachers, and soldiers -- as well as celebrated songwriters like Irving Berlin and George M. Cohan. Here are songs that are as close to our hearts as any ever written -- songs that form a rousing soundtrack to America's story.

Battle Notes : Music of the Vietnam War

Lee Andresen

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Battle Notes: timely, intelligent, and not to be missed! 5 out of 5 stars.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.

Battle Notes: Music of the Vietnam War
By Lee Andresen
Savage Press, Superior, WI

"Battle Notes" author Lee Andresen teaches a college course entitled �Vietnam: America�s Longest War� and has integrated the music of that era into the course. For many students, this is the first time they realized that there were two schools of thought concerning the war: the doves (the protesters) and the hawks (the supporters). The books� extensive discography covers both the familiar and the obscure.

By uncovering recorded rarities that attracted little or no attention when released, "Battle Notes" appeals to avid record collectors. Dick Clark, the world�s oldest teenager, recorded an appeal for understanding from the older generation. Mrs. Dorothy Gorman recorded �Happy Birthday, Son,� a birthday message to her son who was about to turn 21 while on a tour of duty in Vietnam.

Many hit songs of the 60�s made political statements about the war, but you may not have noticed all of them. "Battle Notes" sheds light on classic rock that music buffs may have missed, such as Eric Burdon and the Animals� �Sky Pilots,� which told a tale about soldiers questioning a priest about the morality of killing!

"Battle Notes" is a bridge between a war-torn society and its music; the theme is just as timely today as it was a generation ago. By intelligently, concisely, and thoroughly outlining both the music of protest and the music of patriotism, this book spans the gap by presenting a forum for both sides. For music lovers or war historians or just those seeking to understand the sentiments of the opposing viewpoint, "Battle Notes" is not to be missed.

Find out more at www.savpress.com

Editorial Review:

This book is the only complete discography of ALL the music of the Vietnam era. By Lake Superior College professor, Lee Andresen, the book details the famous and infamous songs and combines student essays. It highlights the obscure and unknown tunes. A tremendous source of accurate information. A treasure for Vietnam vets. Many fun illustrations.

The Incredible Band of John Philip Sousa (Music in American Life)

Paul E. Bierley

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Sousa the Great! 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 6 people found this review helpful.

This author has written extensively about Sousa and his band before. Much of that information is repeated here, but there are some new additions as well. The author has nicely highlighted each aspect of Sousa's career which makes for easy reading.

The problem with Sousa is that we tend to exclude all other band composers and their music. There were many other great band composers around including R. B. Hall, Karl King, and Henry Fillmore to name some of the prominent American ones. Their music deserves notice as well, as Sousa often played their works.

Sousa's band also tends to be somewhat over-rated by hero worship. Sure it was a great band, probably the best in the US at that time. But it was not the greatest in the world! Too many other European bands were around to deny Sousa that title. Sousa knew that any British Guards band like the Coldstream Guards, Scots Guards etc. was certainly as good. The French Garde Republicanne were also. In Prussia you had William Wieprect who did much to modernize the modern military band. His combined Prussian Guards band got top ratings in Paris during a band festival there just before the Franco-Prussian War. How ironic indeed!

So Sousa was not the only around with a great band, and any serious reader should know this. Certainly Sousa did. But what Sousa did was market himself far better than anyone else. He saw that as a civy street guy he could make a lot more fame and money than he was as director of the US Marine band. This was Sousa's main advantage, and he knew how to make the most of it. His conducting style was flamboyant, his programing entertaining and interesting. The whole concept of the encore march after a long piece of music was unique, and introduced excitment to his concerts. These things are what made him and his band great.

Unfortunately Sousa developed the cult of his personality so much for his concerts that when he was not on the podium concert hall attendence often suffered. This indicated that his band would not likely outlive him. Americans came to see Sousa the man as much as the great music his superb band played. I doubt Sousa could have promoted his works any other way in this country. In that regard he was the first super-star who got his name all over the media. Many have followed in his foot-steps since.

Some might think I am trying to downgrade Sousa and his great band here. Certainly not. One should merely have a little sense of perspective when reading about him. His marches were first-rate. He wrote 136 of them, of which only the top 10-15 often get played now. Most of them were excellent, some certainly were better than others. While this sounds like a lot of music, keep in mind some famous German march composers wrote hundreds of marches. Blackenberg is believed to have composed over a thousand! Kenneth Alford, the Great British march composer did only about 20, but they are all classics. Alford was a regimental bandmaster, and thus did not have the means to promote himself like Sousa did.

Sousa should also be known for his many opperettas, novelty pieces, and classical transcriptions. In this regard he greatly expanded the musical level in the US during this time. Orchestras were around as well, but these did not travel like Sousa. There were also other great bands, like the Allentown band, far odler than Sousa's from 1828. In fact Sousa took many players from this great band which still exists today, and which probably recreates the approximate sound and style of Sousa better than any other.

The great strength of this book are the many details provided of the personnel who played in the band, as well as concert programs, and tour iternary. There is one chapter devoted entirely to a band memebers diary recording his expereinces during Sousa's great World Tour of 1911. Great stuff, if perhaps a little too much at times. There is a lot of detail here, perhaps excessive at times, but obviously a labor of love by the author. This is certainly THE book to have about Sousa and his incredible band who left their mark in the world's concert halls.

Editorial Review:

John Philip Sousa (1854-1932) is an American icon. Most famous for his military marches, the journeyman composer led a disciplined group of devoted musicians around the world and shaped a new cultural landscape. Paul E. Bierley has spent forty years documenting every aspect of the "March King's" band: its history, its star performers, its appearances on recordings and radio, and the problems the group faced on their 1911 trip around the world. Enhanced by more than 120 images and photographs, "The Incredible Band of John Philip Sousa" also contains appendixes that include where the band played, who played in it, program listings, and a discography.

The Complete Marching Band Resource Manual: Techniques and Materials for Teaching, Drill Design, and Music Arranging

Wayne Bailey

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Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

The Complete Marching Band Resource Manual provides the first serious guidebook for the intricate art of directing high school or college marching bands. Wayne Bailey presents both the fundamentals and the advanced techniques that are essential for successful leadership of a marching band: music instruction, choreography, and band management. In this second edition, Bailey provides band instructors with even more diagrams as well as information on computer charting techniques.

The book is divided into four units. The first provides the fundamentals of the marching band and its terminology, marching forms and movements, selection and arrangement of music, charting of formations, and ways to arrange a show. Unit two covers music instruction, improvement of marching and memorization skills, warmups, methods for building endurance and power, and ways to organize band rehearsals. The third unit provides instruction in choosing props and structuring auxiliary units, as well as guidance in tuning and staging the marching percussion line. The fourth unit is a collection of resource ideas, including one hundred and twenty drill charts and three musical arrangements for analysis.