I have a good friend who loves searching for books ... at library sales, estate sales, online and in person. Every so often, when something unique to my interests is found, I am the lucky recipient. That is the case with The Drums Would Roll: a Pictorial History of U.S. Army Bands on the American Frontier 1866 - 1900, by Thomas C. Railsback and John P. Langellier. It always seemed to me like the American frontier was a vast and empty place, but I am learning that it was actually very busy! (More on this in a later post). After the Revolutionary War the Army pretty much disbanded. The numbers would ebb and flow as needed, but until WWI it struggled for existence. Mostly it was used as military and law enforcement on the expanding frontier, but it seems there was always a band, too. Army bands provided the music for parades, ceremonies, dances and concerts. It was felt they offered some 'class' to stark frontier life. I enjoyed this book, it offered a nice change from books about battles and massacres.

Another friend is a Titanic buff and is usually aware of all of the most recent publications so I was extremely pleased with myself when I found this first. It made for the perfect gift! The Band That Played On: the Extraordinary Story of the 8 Musicians Who Went Down With the Titanic, by Steven Turner. Most people are aware of the story of how the band continued to play as the ship sank, but nothing about the actual musicians. Who were they? What were they like? How did they end up on the Titanic? Turner tracked down and talked to relatives, former friends and employers, and read letters in his quest to learn the answers. As readers of my blog may remember, I love a book with a great bibliography and this one does not disappoint.

In 1798 President John Adams signed the Act of Congress that included the authorization of a fife and drum band. From this humble start the world famous Marine Band, known as 'the President's Own' would evolve. It has played at every inauguration since Thomas Jefferson. The members never see combat so the Band is able to seek out the very best musicians. While women were never officially prohibited from auditioning, they were not actively recruited until the 1970's. Ruth Johnson was the first, she played French Horn. The best known director was John Philip Sousa, the composer of 'Semper Fi'. Read the complete history in Historical Perspective of the President's Own U.S. Marine Band by Master Gunnery Sergeant P. Michael Ressler, USMC. Note: it's much better than the title sounds!

This book is a celebration ... in 1907 Washington was still a fairly young state. Roads were being paved, cars were replacing the horse and buggy, homes are being fitted with electric lights, and, in Walla Walla, a small orchestra was started. Some of the concerts aired on the radio so more people could hear the music. Unlike so many of the older orchestras 'back east' there was a woman conductor. Alice Fischer. She would hold this position for eight years! A Dream Fulfilled: One Hundred Years of the Walla Walla Symphony Orchestra by Dan Schultz is a most enjoyable collection of pictures, programs, history, biographies and trivia. I especially enjoyed the pictures showing entire families who were members of the symphony.

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Reading Hermit With Dog