This edition of Brass, Reeds, and Percussion opens with a march that I recently heard played for the Arcadia, California, Band Review. Apparently, as part of the requirements for participating in this parade marching contest, traditional marches must be performed. So this edition opens with one of the great American marches: "Emblem of Unity" by John Joseph Richards, a Welsh born composer who grew up in Kansas. He started playing alto horn and cornet at age 10, but was the director of a circus band by age 19. In addition to conducting the Norton-Jones Circus Band, he also conducted the Barnum and Bailey Circus Band and the Ringling Brothers Circus Band before the two circuses merged.
This edition of Brass, Reeds, and Percussion features original classical wind-band music by Haydn (harmoniemusik), Advent music, and a medley of Medieval Christmas carols. In Christian denominations that observe it, Advent is a period of waiting and anticipation that begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. There are many good and old hymn tunes that are associated with this period of the Christian liturgical calendar. So today’s edition will begin with \“Savior of the Nations, Come,\” the words of which can be traced back to a hymn written by St. Ambrose of Milan. The words most commonly used can be traced to Martin Luther, who may have also adapted the hymn tune heard from a Gregorian chant.
In preparing for the Veterans Day edition of Brass, Reeds, and Percussion, I wanted to air one of the most popular songs of the WW II period to salute our veterans: \“The St. Louis Blues March.\” But I also wanted to make sure you heard what the original version of the \“St. Louis Blues\”sounded like. So we aired a 1922 version, with W. C. Handy himself playing the cornet. Today, we are going to air a version of the same arrangement made with modern recording equipment and contemporary musicians by the W. C. Handy Beale Street Reenactment Band of Memphis. And yes, the 1922 arrangement uses a tango rhythm. Handy used the tango rhythm in hopes of making his recording more successful. And to demonsrate that the \“St. Louis Blues\” is truly one of the most recorded tunes, we are also going to hear Pete Fountain’s version of the same composition.
Robert W. Smith was a prolific wind-band composer with over 600 publications in print. He was born in 1958 in Daleville, Alabama, and unfortunately died in September in Montgomery from complications of heart surgery. He graduated from Daleville High School and then went to Troy State University, where he played lead trumpet in the Sound of the South Marching band. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in music education and then received a master’s degree from the University of Miami. Eventually, he returned to Troy State University and served as band director and as an instructor in its music industry program. This edition of Brass, Reeds, and Percussion is presented in his memory.