Classical Music | Jen's Perspective Blog

March forth to the rhythm of life on Marching Music Day every March 4th and honor the dedicated musicians and performers of many diverse styles and backgrounds. Marching Music Day celebrates all varieties of art forms that bring us “music on the move.”

For centuries, the beat of a drum has kept military units moving in unison. From the training field to the battlefield, the football stadium to the Broadway stage, marching music delights performers and spectators. They perform in small gyms, auditoriums, and grand arenas. From small parades to impressive spectacles, fifers, pipers, buglers, drum corps, marching bands, parade groups, drill teams, and color guards bring music to life. They bring audiences to their feet and stir a crowd to an enthusiastic roar.

Military Roots & Technology

The military roots of the drum corps have evolved over time. A well-rooted art form, marching music moves us during somber memorials. And yet it thrills us with an ability to perform delightful music and execute intricate routines with exact precision. Drill squads, marching bands, drum lines, and drum corps name but a few of the many styles of marching music that have developed over the years. They all engage hundreds of thousands of performers of all ages, abilities and experience levels.

We see marching music in schools, military units, community celebrations and local auxiliaries. The music is as varied as the ensembles themselves, too! Instruments may be limited to brass in some settings or may include woodwinds and electric guitars in others. Dance teams, baton twirlers and color guards perform to soundtracks ranging from traditional, standard marches to rock and roll, jazz, contemporary and electronic dance music.

And marching music keeps changing! Spectacular string bands incorporate their own unique sound and elaborate costuming. Technology has brought about the production of lighter, electronic and digital instruments making it possible for musicians to march with violins, cellos, basses and synthesizers to entertain crowds in unique and creative new ways.

MARCHING MUSIC DAY HISTORY

Drum Corps International founded Marching Music Day to celebrate marching music as an engaging and ever-expanding art form around the world, and to help celebrate Music In Our Schools Month. As an ideal play on words, March Fourth was chosen.

HOW TO OBSERVE #MarchingMusicDay

Support your local marching music groups by attending their performances, backing their competitions, contributing to their endeavors or becoming one of their musicians. Whether it’s through a school, a veterans group or an independent ensemble, they will appreciate your support. Use #MarchForth #MarchingMusicDay to share your support on social media.

Honoring an instrument also known as the fiddle, National Violin Day on December 13th celebrates the bow stringed instrument loved around the world.

By drawing the bow across the strings, the violinist manipulates the sound in several ways. A violinist uses numerous bowing techniques to master the violin. The strokes dictate not only notes, but the quality of the note played.

While we associate the violin with classical music, it easily crosses genres. For instance, the violinist demonstrates the versatility of the violin by extensive use in baroque music, jazz, folk music, rock and roll, and soft rock.

“Violin” comes from the Medieval Latin work “vitula” which means stringed instrument.

Although having ancient origins, violin-makers developed most of the violin’s modern characteristics in Italy during the 16th century. Further modifications formed in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The person who makes or repairs violins is called a luthier.

Violin History

It is believed that Turkic and Mongolian horseman from Inner Asia were the world’s earliest fiddlers. They played two-stringed upright fiddles strung with horsehair strings. Likewise, they played using horsehair bows and often featured a carved horse’s head at the end of the neck. The violins we play today (as well as the violas and cellos) with bows still strung with horsehair are a legacy of the nomads.

1555 – Andrea Amati receives credit for the oldest documented four-string violin, like the modern violins.
The “Lady Blunt” brought a record dollar amount when it was auctioned on June 20, 2011. The Stradivari violin sold for $15.9 million.
Musicians and collectors alike seek instruments made by Stradivari almost more than any other maker.

Explore More…

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalViolinDay

The holiday season offers an excellent time to listen to the violin in concert. Whether you attend a holiday presentation or give tickets to the local chamber orchestra, the violin will certainly be a part of the performance. Other ways to enjoy this holiday include:

Listen to concerts on-line.
Attend a school performance.
Re-discover your violin skills and take a lesson or two.
Offer a violin concert to a classroom.
Add violin music to your playlist.
Give the gift of music for the holidays. Buy season tickets or lessons for someone longing to learn to play.

While celebrating the day, be sure to invite someone to enjoy it with you, too! Share your experience and use #NationalViolinDay to post on social media.