Publication Date
1987
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
First Advisor
Haugland, A. Oscar (Archie Oscar), 1922-2013
Degree Name
M. Mus. (Master of Music)
Legacy Department
School of Music
Abstract
Four Regions of the U.S.A. is a four-movement piece representing four different regions of the United States: the New England region, the Appalachian/Blue Grass region, the Deep South and the Western region. Each movement employs harmonic and melodic traits of the folk music of each region, although no particular folk tunes are used. In the first movement, fuguing tunes were used as a basis to resemble the church songs of New England. The second movement is typified by, among other things, the melodic movement over quartal harmonies or drones as used in Appalachian music and the predominant beat in the Contrabass (or String Bass) parr as in most Blue Grass music. The third movement is representative of the Southern blues and the fourth movement derived its ideas from Cowboy songs and Indian chants. Some of the instruments used--the violin (or fiddle), harmonica, mandolin, banjo and guitar--help to typify the tone color of each region's folk music. In the second movement, the Appalachian/Blue Grass region, the viola strings are plucked in order to imitate the sound of an Appalachian dulcimer. The recorder is used in the last movement as a substitute for the flute-like instruments played by Mexican Indians. Other traditional instruments such as strings and percussion are used as well. The purpose of this piece is to remind us of American folklore and how it has affected the United States as a whole. It is hoped that it will be performed for audiences of all nationalities.
Recommended Citation
Funke, Carol M., "Four regions of the U.S.A." (1987). Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations. 3183.
https://huskiecommons.lib.niu.edu/allgraduate-thesesdissertations/3183
Extent
1 score (98 pages)
Language
eng
Publisher
Northern Illinois University
Rights Statement
In Copyright
Rights Statement 2
NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.
Media Type
Text
