EDINBURGH, Scotland - Members of the U.S. Army Band & Chorus' Dixie-jazz band, the Rhine River Ramblers, gave a two hour workshop to the Norwegian Army Band on performance style in American Dixie style jazz this week in Edinburgh, Scotland. The Ramblers and Norwegian band members were participating in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, which is an event showcasing music, dance and display from around the world being held from Aug. 5 - 27.
"I am a huge supporter of musical outreach while we're here. It truly reflects the message of spirit and diversity, which is what the (Royal Edinburgh Military) Tattoo is all about," said Master Sgt. Stephen King, a clarinet player with the Ramblers. "Exposing this American style of music to different cultures helps to build bridges in a truly unique way. I could see their motivation and interest in being able to learn a brand new musical style. It's very motivating for me both as a performer and teacher to be able to share that with them."
In this spirit of musical exchange, Sgt. Joshua Bennett and Sgt. Thomas Baty, both members of the Ramblers, led the discussion of how to create an arrangement on any type of tune. This arrangement is also called improvisation or improv, by creating an arrangement on the spot. Baty went through the process of teaching musical scales and how they are used in the Dixieland style composition, while Bennett discussed conveying dynamics and endings through physical movement and musical motifs.
King spoke one on one with the clarinet section and discussed the differences between the Dixie and classical styles, and how it is applied to the clarinet. To close out the morning the Rhine River Ramblers taught the Norwegian Army Band how to play a song that they had never played, or heard before.
Vice Corporal Steen, trombone player for the Norwegian Army Band described the experience saying it was, "…pure enjoyment of learning a song from aural traditions instead of playing what is written on a piece of paper… and I'm very thankful for getting the chance to work with professional American musicians, since the style of Dixieland music was born in America."
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About us: U.S. Army Europe is uniquely positioned in its 51 country area of responsibility to advance American strategic interests in Europe and Eurasia. The relationships we build during more than 1,000 theater security cooperation events in more than 40 countries each year lead directly to support for multinational contingency operations around the world, strengthen regional partnerships and enhance global security.
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