World of Pageantry

I hope high school bands play this AMERICAN composer's music. Yes, he was an American citizen--naturalized in 1918 after having served two years as an oboe/soprano saxophone player in the U.S. Army band program during World War I. He was born just outside Melbourne, Australia. He was a child prodigy pianist.

Most of the band music he is famous for was arranged (not composed). Lincolnshire Posy was an exception.

His personal life was seemingly strange. His mother doted on him. He was born George Percy Grainger, but it was changed to Percy Aldrich Grainger--Aldrich being his mother's maiden name. His mother never left him (except for military service) until her suicide in 1922 (she jumped from a building because he had fallen in love with a young lady).

Most of the rumors about him were created after he passed away.

In the 1930s Grainger tried his hand as the Dean of Music at New York University--he added jazz to the program with Duke Ellington as a Guest Lecturer. He found the academic life too stressful and it took a toll on his health. He was best at two things: Creating music for others to play and Performing music.

He is buried in Adelaide, Australia

I've played Irish Tune quite a few times and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I <3 Lincolnshire Posy

His music is fine, but it gets annoying when band directors go grainger-crazy and play too much of his music in a short period of time

LoyalTubist wrote:after having served two years as an oboe/soprano saxophone player in the U.S. Army band program during World War I.

Yes, until his Army Band director in New York realized he was THEE Percy Grainger, the famous virtuoso pianist. Then the Army sent Percy on a tour playing piano to gather public support and funds for the war effort.

vore

I've played several of his pieces for both band and orchestra, including "The Lads of Wamphrey" (Spelling I know), "Shepherd's Hey." "Country Dances" (arranged by someone else), and "The Gumsucker's March."

Gumsuckers might be one of my favorite pieces ever. Grainger's music all makes me very happy. Even when it's dark or dissonant just listening to it and playing it gives me some very pleasant feeling.

vore wrote:Yes, until his Army Band director in New York realized he was THEE Percy Grainger, the famous virtuoso pianist. Then the Army sent Percy on a tour playing piano to gather public support and funds for the war effort.

vore

That's pretty neat. It's like a real life Forest Gump.