On this page, you'll find educational and hopefully interesting information on things ranging from recommendations of recordings you may want to check out to interesting music websites to various printable exercises and music etudes. Check back often as materials may be added at any time. If you have interest in a particular subject, please let us know, and we'll do our best to get that information out to you.

From Horn Coach, Mariela Bohannon
Below are some resource materials from Mariela Bohannon:

* Here is a simple Daily Breathing Exercise. Use this prior to    picking up your instrument to increase the efficiency with which you use your air.
* Here is a listing of Recommended Recordings. If you're looking for gift ideas, take a look.
* Here is some information and recommendations on Mutes.

From Trombone Coach, John Olsson

Resource materials from John Olsson may be found at his website. Included there is a number of items:

    * an article on "embouchure repair"
    * extreme long tone exercises
    * an article on large interval jumps on the trombone
    * an article on trombone maintenance
    * favorite/recommended recordings

From Conductor, Drew Fennell

Resource materials from Drew Fennell may be found at his website. Included there is a number of items:

* an extensive Glossary of Musical Terms (over 1,000 entries)
* favorite/recommended instruments
* favorite/recommended mouthpieces - and information on       mouthpieces in general
* favorite/recommended mutes
* favorite/recommended musical accessories
* favorite/recommended recordings
* practice and performance tips
* trumpet fingering chart
* links to information on favorite trumpet players, brass ensembles, music resource websites and information on music stores

Additionally, a member of the Wildcat Regiment Band suggested to me that there might be interested in Horn-u-copia, a resource website for those interested in antique and out-of-production brass instruments.

A Frontier Fought and a City Found

Composer Travis J. Weller gives historical context to his new work which the RCYBB will perform for the first time anywhere at our performance on May 31, 2009. First is a historical context for the piece. It is interesting to make note of all the names involved in the story of Pittsburgh and how those names of those people survive today idntifying local towns (Braddock, Washington, etc.) and as the names of mlocal streets and bridges (Boquet, Fort Duquesne, Forbes, etc.). Below this are program notes on the structure of the piece.

The History

The French and Indian War (1754–1763) was the North American chapter of the Seven Years' War, and its name refers to the two main enemies of the British: the royal French forces and the various American Indian forces allied with them. Both France and New England wanted to expand their territories with respect to fur trading and other pursuits that matched their economic interests through use of trading posts and forts stretching from Mississippi to the Appalachian Mountains and from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.

Fort Duquesne was a fort established by the French in 1754, at the junction of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers in what is now downtown Pittsburgh in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Its strategic location at the forks of the river gave the French a stronghold in the new territory and made it a coveted location by the British. The French held Fort Duquesne until November of 1758.

The first major event of the war was in 1754. Major George Washington, then twenty-one years of age, was sent to negotiate boundaries with the French, who did not give up their forts. Washington led a group of Virginian (colonial) troops to confront the French at Fort Duquesne (present day Pittsburgh). Washington accidentally happened upon the French at the Battle of Jumonville Glen and in the ensuing skirmish, a French Officer (Joseph Coulon de Jumonville) was killed, news of which would have certainly provoked a strong French response.

The French held the fort successfully early in the war, turning back the expedition led by General Edward Braddock. George Washington served as one of General Braddock's aides and escaped near death on two recorded occasions. The war went miserably for the British as they were repeatedly beaten back by the French forces and their Indian Allies. The year 1756 brought with it William Pitt, Secretary of State of Great Britain. His leadership, and France's continued neglect of the North-American theater, eventually turned the tide in favor of the British. Another component that helped to secure eventual victory by the British was the Treaty of Easton which the American Indians agreed to abandon their French allies.

The other key to turning the fortunes of the war in favor of the British was the appointment of General John Forbes who was ordered to take Fort Duquesne. Though older and experiencing health issues, Forbes second in command, a Swiss soldier of Fortune Henry Boquet, was able to execute the General’s plans in the field of battle. George Washington found himself at odds with Forbes’ plan, and resigned his post before the expedition began. The Forbes expedition cut a new road to Fort Duquesne and constructed a series of forts (including Bedford and Ligonier) to ensure a stable communication and supply line to the Ohio River. Boquet and Forbes’ work almost went for naught when an over-eager General Grant led a smaller attack on the fort that resulted in heavy losses in September during the Forbes Expedition. From a high vantage point above the city in late November, Boquet and Forbes watched an unbelievable sight as the French, sensing the impending defeat by the British, destroyed their own Fort Duquesne by burning it to the ground. The Forbes expedition in November of 1758 marked the British capture of the forks of the Ohio upon which they built a much larger named Fort Pitt, named after the Secretary of State William Pitt.

The Music

The piece contains two main themes that are presented, each time beating the other back and gaining ground in the frontier. The soldiers of France are symbolized by the recurring theme based on the French National Anthem. The vision of William Pitt and his appointed General Forbes are encapsulated in the melody stated by the French Horn at measure 97. The theme should be expressed with an air of nobility and determination, reflecting the personalities of both men for whom it is written.

The beginning of the piece depicts early morning along the banks of the Monogahela and Ohio. The muted fanfares of the French army are married with drums of Native Shawnee and Iriqouis Indians who have become allies. The action intensifies quickly at measure 18 as first blood is drawn between the two warring nations and the long battle for this frontier begins. Throughout the opening forray, the French are at the advantage and continually beat back British advances. At m. 62 there are signs of hope, as shades of the theme for Pitt and Forbes make their first triumphant entrance. The vision and tenacity of these men to complete the objective with which they were charged comes to the foreground in the material after measure 97. The Forbes Expedition finally arrives at “the Point” (as we know it) at measure 153 signaling the end of French control of the forks of the Ohio. Though forcibly removed, the remaining influence of French on the region surrounding Pittsburgh remains and the final soundings of the French National Anthem serve as a reminder of their part of the cultural heritage of this great city.

Wildcat Regiment Band

In the spring semester of 2008, we featured a true Civil War Era brass band called the Wildcat Regiment Band. Residing in Indiana County since 1861, they play authentic Civil War era music on authentic Civil War Era instruments, and they wear authentic reproductions of Civil War uniforms. Their website tells some of the history of the band and gives insight into the instruments they play, the music they perform and the uniforms they wear. Check it out.

Many RCYBB musicians will remember that the Wildcat Regiment Band gave a clinic on Saturday, May 10th. It was quite an interesting session, with lots of information on the authentic Civil War Era instruments, the authentic music of the time and the history of brass bands in general.

There is a former RCYBB member in the Wildcat Band - trumpeter Jon Dalby. If you are interested in Civil War reinactment and the authentic music of the period, and are interested in joining Jon and the W.R.B., please contact the Wildcat Regiment Band for more information.
 

In general, you might be interested to learn that there is a strong group of Civil War reenactors practicing their hobby all over the United States. Movies we have all seen about the Civil War feature thousands of extras who take great pride in the complete authenticity of their reenactments. Throughout the years, Civil War battles have been waged - repeatedly - to show the history of the war...and, more importantly, to remind us of the price paid by the hundreds of thousands who fought to restore our country.