Composer - Clare Grundman
Image References (in order from left to right):
Presto Classical. "Grundman, C: The Blue and the Gray (sheet Music)." Grundman, C: The Blue and the Gray. Presto Classical, 23 May 2012. Web. 21 Oct. 2013.
Wind Repertory Project. "Clare Grundman." Clare Grundman - Wind Repertory Project. Wind Repertory Project, 19 June 2011. Web. 21 Oct. 2013.
Corporation, Hal Leonard. "Music of Clare Grundman." Music of Clare Grundman. J.W. Pepper & Son, 2013. Web. 21 Oct. 2013.
Presto Classical. "Grundman, C: The Blue and the Gray (sheet Music)." Grundman, C: The Blue and the Gray. Presto Classical, 23 May 2012. Web. 21 Oct. 2013.
Wind Repertory Project. "Clare Grundman." Clare Grundman - Wind Repertory Project. Wind Repertory Project, 19 June 2011. Web. 21 Oct. 2013.
Corporation, Hal Leonard. "Music of Clare Grundman." Music of Clare Grundman. J.W. Pepper & Son, 2013. Web. 21 Oct. 2013.
Biography
Clare Grundman was born on May 11, 1913 in Cleveland Ohio. He played music in his high school's band, the Shaw High School Band in East Cleveland. He played the clarinet in this band.
After graduating high school, Clare studied science and received a bachelor of science at The Ohio State University. Throughout his undergraduate experience at Ohio State, Grundman continued playing clarinet and also learned the saxophone. He performed in an orchestra that performed on trans-Atlantic passenger ships. Grundman then returned to Ohio State University to study the arts and received a master of the arts. He then became a music teacher and taught for three years in Ohio and Lexington, Kentucky. Afterwards, Grundman became the assistant director of bands at his alma mater, Ohio State University. He taught both woodwinds and orchestras.
In 1941, three years after becoming assistant director bands at Ohio State, World War II began. Grundman served as the chief musician in the US Coast Guard band. After serving this position in the war, Grundman focused composing music. He composed for the radio, television, motion pictures, ballet, and Broadway, receiving awards for his efforts in these medium. He was honored by each of the primary professional band organizations, including the American Bandmasters Association, the American School Band Directors Association, and The John Philip Sousa Foundation.
Less than ten years later, Grundman received the Academy of Wind and Percussion Arts (AWAPA), one of the most prestigious awards, from the National Band Association. He was also elected a member of the American Bandmasters Association. Grundman composed original works as well as arranged works. He composed for Broadway musicals, ballet, television, radio, movies, and concert bands. Although Grundman died on June 15, 1996 at the age of 63, he remains one of the most performed band composers today for school ensembles.
Inspiration
Clare Grundman composed The Blue and The Gray in 1961. He was inspired to write this piece in honor of the 100-year anniversary of the start of the Civil War. The suite was composed to celebrate Lincoln's era and the American Civil War. Each of the sections of the suite were composed during war years aside from The Battle Hymn of the Republic which was written a few years early. The popular selections for Northerners were Marching Through Georgia and The Battle Cry for Freedom, while popular selections for Confederates were Dixie, The Yellow Rose of Texas, and The Bonnie Blue Flag. Popular selections for all Americans were Kingdom Coming, Aura Lee, and Tenting Tonight. The split in preferences between Northerners and Southerners coincide with the divided nation during the war. The inspiration of this piece, the Civil War, effectively shapes the piece. Grundman composed the piece as a celebratory piece. He was inspired to create a piece that was uplifting and heartfelt, and so, he created the song to include folk songs and ballads. The song is aimed at having listeners reminisce and celebrate the Civil War. While there are slower sections to demonstrate losses, most of the song is upbeat. Grundman was inspired to publish the song in order to commemorate the Civil War's start a century prior.
Other Works
Many of Grundman's works deal with patriotism. For example, he has composed pieces such as American Folk Rhapsody, Irish Rhapsody, Kentucky 1800, Scottish Rhapsody, Welsh Rhapsody, and, of course, The Blue and the Gray. Just like The Blue and The Gray celebrates Lincoln's era and the American Civil War, Kentucky 1800 celebrates American values and patriotic experiences. Kentucky 1800 is based on three folk songs that are associated with westward pioneer movement. What can be concluded from this is that the majority of Grundman's songs deal with patriotism and celebration of one's nationality, as heard in The Blue and the Gray and in Kentucky 1800. Below are recordings of both songs. In the recordings, you can hear the similarities, as both works have a celebratory, patriotic feel.
The Blue and The Gray-performed by The University of Cincinnati Early Concert band, March 2012
Kentucky 1800-played by The Saratoga Community Band, March 2009
References:
Corporation, Hal Leonard. "The Blue and the Gray, Boosey & Hawkes Concert Band - Hal Leonard Online." The Blue and the Gray, Boosey & Hawkes Concert Band - Hal Leonard Online. Hal Leonard Corporation, 2013. Web. 21 Oct. 2013.
EBSWE Program. "EBSWE Program Notes." EBSWE Program Notes. EBSWE Program, June 1976. Web. 21 Oct. 2013.
MilitaryMusic.com. "Clare E. Grundman." Clare E. Grundman. Jack's Musings, 23 July 2013. Web. 21 Oct. 2013.
Pepper, J. W. "The Blue and the Gray by Clare Grundman/arr. Lon | J.W. Pepper Sheet Music." The Blue and the Gray by Clare Grundman/arr. Lon | J.W. Pepper Sheet Music. Boosey & Hawkes, 2013. Web. 21 Oct. 2013.
UC Early Concert Band. "The Blue and The Gray." Rec. 11 Mar. 2012.UC Early Concert Band Winter Program 3 11 2012 Blue and the Gray.MOV. N.d.YouTube. YouTube, 11 Mar. 2012. Web. 07 Jan. 2014.
The Saratoga Community Band. "Kentucky 1800." Rec. Mar. 2009. Kentucky 1800 - Clare Grundman. N.d. YouTube. YouTube, 22 Mar. 2009. Web. 07 Jan. 2014.
Repertory Project, The Wind. "American Folk Rhapsody I." - Wind Repertory Project. The Wind Repertory Project, 20 Jan. 2010. Web. 07 Jan. 2014.
Miles, Richard B., and Larry Blocher. "Kentucky 1800-Teacher's Guide." GIA Publications, Apr. 2010. Web. 7 Jan. 2014.
Corporation, Hal Leonard. "The Blue and the Gray, Boosey & Hawkes Concert Band - Hal Leonard Online." The Blue and the Gray, Boosey & Hawkes Concert Band - Hal Leonard Online. Hal Leonard Corporation, 2013. Web. 21 Oct. 2013.
EBSWE Program. "EBSWE Program Notes." EBSWE Program Notes. EBSWE Program, June 1976. Web. 21 Oct. 2013.
MilitaryMusic.com. "Clare E. Grundman." Clare E. Grundman. Jack's Musings, 23 July 2013. Web. 21 Oct. 2013.
Pepper, J. W. "The Blue and the Gray by Clare Grundman/arr. Lon | J.W. Pepper Sheet Music." The Blue and the Gray by Clare Grundman/arr. Lon | J.W. Pepper Sheet Music. Boosey & Hawkes, 2013. Web. 21 Oct. 2013.
UC Early Concert Band. "The Blue and The Gray." Rec. 11 Mar. 2012.
The Saratoga Community Band. "Kentucky 1800." Rec. Mar. 2009. Kentucky 1800 - Clare Grundman. N.d. YouTube. YouTube, 22 Mar. 2009. Web. 07 Jan. 2014.
Repertory Project, The Wind. "American Folk Rhapsody I." - Wind Repertory Project. The Wind Repertory Project, 20 Jan. 2010. Web. 07 Jan. 2014.
This page was created by Lauren P.