My Musical Musings Blog | betsyleebaileymusic.com - The Music of Betsy Lee Bailey

Introducing Something New Each Day

8/3/2021

For the past week and a half, I have been working with 23 children ages 5-12 on a Children's Theater production of "The Tale of Chicken Licken." We had such a wide span of ages and experience, I wasn't sure just how we would pull off an entertaining show. But, with the help of a talented choreographer and two Mom assistants, I think we will be ready for our performance on Saturday.

I didn't know if we could do a Summer Theater Camp at all this summer due to COVID-19 restrictions. But, we decided to go ahead. We couldn't do my first choice of a show because of fewer applications. However, the show we are doing seems to be a perfect fit for this group.

I am happy to report that we are really making good progress towards a polished show. Whenever the cast covers such a wide range of ages and abilities, as a director, you have to be flexible with expectations. The goal is to do blocking, acting, and dance moves that suit the ages appropriately. The younger kids have that "cute factor" that will boost their performance no matter what. The older kids need extra to keep them interested.

We have been working hard to give each actor what they need to develop their character as well as learn some new skills. For the older girls, that means giving them real choreography. For the "littles," they may have limited dance moves with mostly gestures. But it has to feel like choreography. For the "middles," they get as many challenges as they can handle. We have been surprised at how well they have done. Our oldest boy really needed more. So I wrote him an entirely new character and gave him a new song to boot.

Each day they have been getting acquainted with new parts of their show. Yesterday was the first time they worked in their head pieces --- hats, hoods, visors, beaks, etc. Today they will work in their "feet." Tomorrow is full costume. Wish us luck!

Remembering the Women Pioneers

7/18/2021

Sometimes when I think back on my own pioneer ancestors, I think of how committed the women had to have been. Their lives were already not easy -- not compared to the luxuries we have today anyway. And trekking across the plains to an unknown wilderness must have been absolutely frightening. Not only did they walk or push handcarts or drive ox pulled wagons, they minded their children, made fires, cooked food, repaired clothing, washed clothes and dishes and dirty faces, gave childbirth, nursed babies, gave medical aid, and a host of other tasks. I cannot help but wonder if I would have survived the trek. If I had been one of those women, would I have just given up and died along the way? I wonder.

My grandmother as a baby in 1892

I have not found histories of any of my direct women pioneer ancestors (at least not in their own words), but I do have an abbreviated life sketch of my grandmother Lora Harmon Thompson in her own handwriting. She was not born until after the settlement of Utah, but she descended from pioneers who came across the plains in some of the earliest companies. Her father's family was called to settle in Price, Utah, which was still very much a frontier town in the 1890's. She told stories of how her mother and father tried to bring culture and refinement to their little town.

While she watched her father do elegant carpentry work in his wood shop and set up a General Store, she watched her mother take care of the needs of 11 children, cook and clean and sew, plus help run the General Store with her older children. Her mother supported her children in their school work and made sure at least some of them learned to play the piano. Everybody learned to sing, especially my grandmother who was often asked to sing for the customers in the store.

When my grandmother was just 6 years old, her father was called on a mission to the Eastern States. She was the 6th child and still very young when he left. She had younger siblings, too. The older sisters took on the assignment of running the store. The older brothers made deliveries and stocked goods. Her mother had to do everything else as well as look after the younger children.

My grandmother decided that she, too, could help raise money to send to her father on his mission. She decided that she would no longer sing for free. She started charging a nickel per song. Little Lora ended up sending $100 to her father while he was on his mission. (He kept a record because he was so proud of her!) Pretty good earnings for a 6-7 year old just before 1900.

I admire the women pioneers who did so much to tame the wilderness and make it a culture-filled place to live for their posterity!

Here is a Women's Chorus version of "Come, Come Ye Saints" to enjoy this Pioneer Day.

Influencers from Music's Past

7/12/2021

Johann S. Bach 1685-1750

F. Joseph Hadyn 1732-1809

W. A. Mozart 1756-1791

L. van Beethoven 1770-1827

Composers who arrange Hymns often put their own spin on their arrangements. Many of those composers are known for their very distinctive styles. They have their own brand so to speak, most often in modern contemporary style. That being said, you can easily recognize a "[insert name of composer]" arrangement.

Then there are other composers who like to challenge themselves to expand their range. They may take influences from composers from past esteemed Musical Style Periods such as Baroque, Classical, Romantic, etc. for any number of specific projects. Those style characteristics may not come off exactly accurate to the period, but the fusion of old and new can be very effective.

In any case, something old gets a new life.

I was reminded of a few old hymns I tried my hand at arranging. No doubt I was trying to remember what I had learned in my Music History classes. (I confess I know just enough to be dangerous.) My studies of singing the great Masters such as Bach, Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven may not qualify me to be an expert by any means. But, I learned that I really love these styles.

"Come We That Love the Lord" hymn text was written by Isaac Watts in 1707. And even though it was not paired with the current hymn tune "St. Thomas" until 1763 by Aaron Williams, I think it still fits best in the Baroque period (1685-1750). My arrangement was written for my Youth Chorus of 50 singers. At the time I had an accomplished organist for an accompanist.

(I can remember this just by looking at the structure of the arrangement. It is mostly unison with some SATB because that's all I could expect from the singers. It has a more interesting accompaniment, because I had a talented organist. That's how I remember most of my arrangements. I had to write for the resources I had.)

"All Glory, Laud and Honour" is an English translation by the Anglican clergyman John Mason Neale of the Latin hymn "Gloria, laus et honor" which was written by Theodulf of Orléans in 820. It is a Palm Sunday hymn, based on Matthew 21:1–11 and the occasion of Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. My arrangement was heavily influenced by the Classical (1750-1820) composers and even gives a nod to part of Mozart's "Requiem" which I had been singing at the time. (I know. I must have no scruples. I couldn't help myself. The "Hosannas" are just so fun to sing!)

"How Wondrous and Great" is a hymn with text by Henry U. Onderdonk (1789–1858) and music attributed to Joseph Martin Kraus (1756–1792). The music had also once been attributed to Johann Michael Hadyn (younger brother of the more famous Franz Joseph Hadyn who was a major influencer in the Classical Period). In any case, these composers were of the late Classical Period (circa 1800) moving into the Romantic Period (1830-1900). Composers of this transition time were breaking from strict structures and promoting more movement and emotion. So that's what I took for inspiration in my arrangement. (I must have had a very good pianist at the time!)

Outdoor Concerts and Fireworks

7/8/2021

This week has been filled with Family, Fun and Fireworks. I love the festivities in our valley at the 4th of July. We loved watching fireworks from different vantage points in our town. (I confess that I am glad that it is confined to just two days before and after the holidays. They are beautiful, but LOUD!) It is fun to watch the panorama of fireworks across the valley even if you view them from the mountainside, but it's most exciting when they are directly over your head! We got to enjoy the fireworks that way at Thanksgiving Point last night after the Utah Symphony Concert. How I love hearing stirring music accented by bursts of fireworks. So exciting!

At another outdoor concert, though, the fireworks were a definite distraction.

The Patriotic Service was in the big BYU Stadium on Sunday July 4th, but the mood was reverent and the people lighting off fireworks in the neighborhood was annoying. The big blasts came and reverberated through the stadium disrupting the most quiet and reverent moments of the concert. I felt so bad for the speakers and performers. This was the first time this Devotional was held outside in the big stadium. Usually they do this type of event in the indoor basketball arena. Elements like rain and wind and noises from outside are not such a problem at an indoor venue. (I will make a prediction that this Devotional concert will be held indoors again next year.)

They probably planned this event when the guidelines for dealing with large groups during the Covid Pandemic were very strict. They likely had to plan the event for the outdoors with spread-out seating. Here's to hoping the restrictions will be completely lifted by next year.

For Purple Mountain Majesties

7/2/2021

Yesterday, I just had to get up into the mountains. The Alpine Loop was calling me. Although I am not much of a hiker nowadays, I still enjoy the beautiful views. So, I got into the car, turned on some music, and drove the Loop all the while singing at the top of my voice.

Of course, I was listening to "The Spirit of America" by the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. Those beautiful Patriotic anthems were just the soundtrack I wanted while looking out on the beautiful vistas and landscapes. Magnificent waterfalls and babbling brooks are among my favorite views along this ride. Just love passing Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon. Beautiful!

When you get up above the ski resorts and camping ares, the switch backs take you high enough to see a vast vista. Sometimes I just have to get up high enough to get a better perspective of life. Seeing God's creations in such grandeur certainly helps put my petty little problems back in their proper places.

Aspen trees are really very elegant. I roll down the windows to hear their leaves rustle in the breeze. They are called quaking aspens up here because of their unique sound. The road is very narrow as you go over the summit. Have to be very mindful of upcoming traffic. Somewhere up here my parents carved their initials on a tree. (Seems they were not the only ones.)

"O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain!
America! America! God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea!"
by Katharine Lee Bates

Again, why isn't "America, the Beautiful" our national anthem?

Patriotic Songs and Celebrations

6/29/2021

At the 4th of July, many choirs get to perform wonderful and stirring patriotic anthems for patriotic celebrations across the country. Some of my favorites that I had the privilege to sing as a member of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square are "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" arranged by Wilhousky, "Distant Land" by John Rutter, "And the Dream Goes On" by John Williams, and "America the Beautiful" arranged by Mack Wilberg. The words and choral parts to these anthems are moving and wonderful, but what makes the experience of singing them so exciting are the orchestrations. How great it was to be able to sing with such a wonderful orchestra! These pieces are all very different, yet powerful and thrilling in their own ways. I am so glad that choral organizations are beginning to perform again after the year of COVID.

My father was born on July 2nd. We have always had fun celebrations for his birthday in conjunction with the July 4th Independence Day celebrations for our country. Dad's jobs moved us all over this land, so we were able to experience many different ways of celebrating America's birthday, as well as my father's. But, no matter how elaborate the fireworks, or parades or gala events, the thread that connected all of these celebrations was the MUSIC. Our family had the advantage of knowing and understanding the many references in the songs about America, because we had first-hand knowledge of historical events and places from actually visiting them.

For my father's 80th birthday, I felt inspired to write a song in part to thank him for helping me develop a love for our country. Not only did Dad take us to visit most of the United States, he taught us about how this land was preserved for a special purpose. This land was reserved as a place for the gospel to be restored and come forth in the last days. It is a promised land for those who are righteous and serve the God of the land. America is My Promised Land because of the covenants I have made personally to serve the Lord and strive to live righteously. It can be your promised land, too.

At this season of remembrance, may we take the time to remember our forefathers and their resolve to build America as the land of the free and the home of the brave. May we commit to live righteously, for as John Adams said,

"Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people.
It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."

Praise to the Man

6/24/2021

In honor of the Prophet Joseph Smith on the date of his martyrdom, I offer this Easy Piano Duet "Praise to the Man."

There is nothing quite like standing in the upper room of the Carthage jail hearing the docent tell about what happened there on June 27, 1944. I have been moved to tears hearing about how the mob came and stole the lives of those two great men Joseph and Hyrum Smith.

The text was written as a tribute by William W. Phelps to the prophet and printed and distributed at Joseph's funeral. It has become a stirring hymn sung in congregations all over the world.

The words were matched to a popular tune of the time period. The tune is better known as "Scotland, the Brave" and is played by every bagpipe band. This piano duet allows the stirring martial nature of the bagpipe tune to shine through while still staying true to the power of the hymn text. Enjoy!

Breaking Down the Writing of a Hit Tune

6/18/2021

Just how are hit tunes written anyway? How do they come into being? Do the writers deliberately set out to write a commercial success? Where do they get their inspiration? Do they stick to a tried and true formula? Do they always collaborate with others?

These are questions that I heard Paul McCartney explore in a recent podcast. He mentioned that he wanted to debunk the idea that had been going around that he and John Lennon hated each other. That the Beatles trademark songs were always listed as written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney only because of a copyright contract. People had said that they never really collaborated.

What Paul actually said was that they regularly collaborated, especially in the early days of the Beatles. One or both of them would come into the recording studio with ideas for songs, but they were never fully formed. As a band, they took the ideas, worked them out, expanded them, added rifts, fixed lyrics, and recorded the songs sometimes within just a few hours from start to finish. As their musicianship grew, their ideas became more mature, but they still counted on each other as well as their producer to help the songs come into being.

One thing he said, really resonated with me. Paul said that unlike other bands of their day, they DID NOT stick to one tried and true model when writing songs. That's why each of their songs is so unique. Paul himself was very interested in all types of music and did a lot of study of various styles. So did the other members of the band. They enjoyed infusing their songs with the influences they were studying -- African rhythms, British Musical Hall, Church Music, Baroque string quartets, Middle eastern instrumentals and modal patterns, avant guard music, ideas that became acid rock and many more styles.

Paul tells a cute story about one song that he has to modify a bit now if he uses it in a show. He gets embarrassed if people think that the song was written about being high on drugs. He explains that "No, it's about being high on LIFE --- I have grandchildren now!"

My brother practically made me become a Beatles fan. I was only 7 when we first saw the Beatles perform on the Ed Sullivan Show. Since then, I still have a soft spot for a good Beatles tune. Here is a list of Beatles songs I have made into Easy Piano Solos. Enjoy!

All You Need is Love from the Magical Mystery Tour 1967

Yesterday from Help! 1965

Ob-La-Di-Ob-La-Da from the White Album 1968

I Will from The Beatles 1968

Eight Days a Week from Beatles for Sale 1964

Here There and Everywhere from Revolver 1966

And I Love Her from A Hard Day's Night 1964

Eleanor Rigb y from Revolver 1966

They Learned It Just by Reading

6/10/2021

Recently I came across a meme that said, "If you run into someone who mispronounces something, be nice. They probably learned it just by reading."

That made me think of the English language and how difficult it is to master. I realize that English is a conglomerate of many languages and in order to master it, you really should be versed in at least a few other languages such as Latin, German, Hebrew, and French.

I think about my husband's ancestors who immigrated from Scandinavia and became pioneers in Utah. In their isolated farming community, they had to pick up English from other immigrants from many other places (including Americans who had not seen much of the inside of a school in their entire lives). They sometimes had to just go with their best guesses (as to pronunciation) when learning from books.

For example, many English words look like they would follow the textbook rules of pronunciation, but don't. My husband's aunt and mother's names look like they would have the same endings. Janice and Clarice. All while growing up, her family and friends called my mother-in-law "Clar - is" following the same pattern as "Jan - is" with the accent on the first syllable. Little did they know that the beautiful name the grandma read in a book actually came from France and was pronounced "Clar - ees" with the accent on the second syllable.

Later, when my mother-in-law left the tiny farming community and moved with her husband to the metropolis of Los Angeles, people she met kept calling her "Clar-ees." Because she was so shy, she just let them. She was also very shy about reading out loud in public meetings. Throughout her life, she was never confident in her pronunciation skills.

Yes, let this be a lesson to all. Be nice to people who mispronounce words. They probably learned by just reading.

However, this also made me think of how singers and musicians throughout history have helped educate the populace. Through their music, singers provided slick ways to remember oral history and preserve arts, as well as expose people to other cultures. Musicians tended to be some of the most educated people in town. Through their teaching and performing, they helped bring artistry, culture and education to even the outermost communities on the frontier.

Hurray for Music and Musicians!

Prelude Music

6/4/2021

Organists don't really like to be talked to while they are trying to play prelude or postlude. They especially don't like being asked to make decisions or to provide information while they are trying to concentrate on the music. Playing the organ well takes effort and focus. That's why my daughter said she agreed to something she probably shouldn't have.

While my daughter was playing postlude at church a couple of weeks ago, the Bishop approached her and said that he would like to see the Youth be playing prelude in their meetings. "The Youth need opportunities to learn to play for Church Meetings. Let's start next week." She automatically agreed without even thinking about the realities of their situation.

Their ward has just three Young Women who do music of any kind - a graduating Senior who is a fine violinist and her two daughters who play band instruments mainly and only play piano some. Just how could any of them be ready to start playing prelude music for Church in just one week?

Her solution was to use some Easy Piano Duets that I wrote for her and her daughters. They like to play them at home, just for fun. So, with just a little coaxing and practice, my daughter was able to get one of her girls up to speed to play prelude the next week.

Kathryn and Melanie got to the chapel early to begin the 10 minutes of prelude music. They figured that the people coming in for Church would visit with each other and not really pay attention to the music - like usual. (That's how she convinced her daughter not to be nervous about playing.)

However, when they started arriving, the people stopped, came in very quietly and just listened. The Bishop was very happy that the prelude had such an impact on setting the tone of reverence for the meeting. He said that he expects the Youth to play the prelude at least once a month from now on.

Makes me happy that my Easy Piano Duets were put to such a great purpose!
Keep practicing, girls!

The Music of Betsy Lee Bailey copyright 2020