Clik here to view.
Music in a Time of War, the Street Edition
Once upon a time it was naturalto see free-range children on city streets and village byways.Now it is rare except in third-world countrieswhere poverty drives kids to the streets, the only playground...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Music in Rutland, North Dakota
In 1910 a concert band of 22 musicians would be a modest musical ensemble for any large American city, but for a small town out on the great plains of the Midwest this was a band that a community...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Bands on Parade
A long time ago Americans used to love a parade. If there was a special occasion, a holiday, a visiting dignitary, or a society convention there was always a parade. And if people were going to march,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Musical Freaks: The Horn Violin
I believe in ghostsbecause I've seen them.With a light shining behindthey are barely visible as transparent phantoms with strange shadowy features.They do not speak,but some of these supernatural...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Königsbrück POW Camp, Soldiers at Ease
Most of the men walked there.Those that couldn't walkgot a ride.And those men from further awaycame by train.And for the next 4 yearsthis would be their home.It was the time of the Great Warand these...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Königsbrück POW Camp, A Theatre of War
In show business it's always good to startwith a clown act that gets the audience laughing. Of course every successful show needs a handsome manto play the lead, the hero of the drama.And an actress...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Fanfares for a New Year!
It's the end of the year,and, as it happens, a century too.The year 1900 has been satisfying for some folkand not so good for others.Oh well, so it goes.Still we can't complain.We wish you a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Squeeze Box
Beyond the many ways to make sound, musical instruments come in a bewildering variety of shapes and sizes. In the past few years I've expanded my collection to include photos of musicians who played...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Music of the Great White Fleet
At first glance this image seems like a scene at any gentlemen's' club from a century ago. A few young men in military uniform are relaxing in a salon or library. There are assorted pictures hanging...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Little Symphony Orchestra of KDKA Radio
As formal group photos go, this is a nice but unexceptional image of a small orchestra. Fifteen musicians, all men, are dressed in black-tie tuxedos and closely arranged in a small room. Heavy drapes...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Temple of Music
The building seems to gleam like a small cloud floating above the city.The distant shape could be a stately palace, a venerable basilica, or a grand museum.But from its location in this...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Girls Just Want to Have Fun
They called themselves “Die Nymphen vom Nordseestrand” ~ “The nymphs from the North Sea beach” Wearing shiny satin bathing costumes complete white tights, slippers, and royal crowns this ladies...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Music for an Amusement Park
The first clue was a hat.Or to be more specific,it was an insignia on a hat that spelt MEIER.The next clue was less obvious,almost hidden,and not in the hatsbut in a reflection. The last clue was...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Another Clown Band
THE CLOWNSTheir flour hands forever learningTo be tongues and speak, the clownsPull down their flags, they collapseAs tents over poles.The clowns haul down their heartsLike kites.They open their...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Arc of the Bow
It's a stick.This special musical tool was artfully designed hundreds of years ago,for the string instrument family.Made of an exotic Brazilian woodthat is gently bent into a subtle curveto hold taunt...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Showman with a Big Hat
This is not a practical hat.For one thing it has no brim with only fuzzy fur to shieldthe eyes from the sun.It might keep the head warm,but the ears? Not so much.It's also ridiculously top...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Comrades in Music
Best of buddies.Real pals.Close chums.Favorite mates.Comrades in arms.Brothers in wartime.The friendships made by soldierscan last a lifetime. Photographs of that bondwere common enough for regular...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Elegant Guitarist
The guitar is a versatile instrument.It can be played solo or in a groupby contributing melody,accompaniment,or both.It's a very tactile instrument, too.The guitar's strings and fretboard invite...
View ArticleClik here to view.
How to Make a Saxophone
The saxophone is a hybrid instrument.Made of brass, its body is a conical metal tubehammered, molded, and fused togethermuch like any trumpet, horn, or tuba.But its sinuous shape is punctured with...
View ArticleClik here to view.
That Talented Fellow from Pillow, PA
The client's props are all carefully arranged.His violin hangs precariously by a peg on a music stand with an open fiddle case inviting us to leave a small gratuity.On the other side a second...
View Article