Percy Aldridge Grainger
Born July 8, 1882 near Melbourne, Australia
Died February 20, 1961
Nationality: Australian/American
Period/Style: Modern
About the composer:
He was born with the name George Percy, but later on he adopted his mother’s maiden name (Grainger). She was the one who got him started in music, giving him his first music lessons. He became an outstanding pianist, and with the money he made from his concerts he helped take care of his mother, who was handicapped. He came to the United States in 1914 and joined the U.S. Army band 1917, playing oboe and saxophone. He also played piano solos with the band. In 1919 he became an American citizen. Percy Grainger wrote lots of his own tunes, but he also loved folk songs (especially those from England and his own country) and he used them often in the music he wrote for bands and orchestras. He loved to take the music of other composers and rearrange it in his own way. Percy Grainger is probably best remembered as a composer who felt that band music shouldn’t be limited to marches and patriotic music. He wrote music that really showed off the artistry of the players and made the band sound like an orchestra.
About the music:
Shepherd’s Hey (2 min)
This is a lively little piece based on an English Folk Tune. Dance teams called “Morris Dancers” decked out with ribbons and jingling bells, would dance the Morris Dance to this tune. Its rhythm is good for dancing. Toward the end, the music gradually becomes faster.
Irish Tune from “County Derry” (3-6 min)
This is Grainger’s own arrangement of the familiar Irish folk tune “Londonderry Air” or “Danny Boy” which we often hear around St. Patrick’s Day. Its words are rather sad, but this beautifully scored arrangement is capable of bringing out many emotions. How does this music make you feel?
Suggested activities:
Divide into small groups and make up your own dance to “Shepherd’s Hey.”
Find out what major historical event was happening around the time Percy Grainger came to the U.S.