Instruments of Empire: Filipino Musicians, Black Soldiers, and Military Band Music During Us Colonization of the Philippines Talusan Mary
At the turn of the twentieth century, the United States extended its empire into the Philippines while subjugating Black Americans in the Jim Crow South. And yet, one of the most popular musical acts…
Specifikacia Instruments of Empire: Filipino Musicians, Black Soldiers, and Military Band Music During Us Colonization of the Philippines Talusan Mary
At the turn of the twentieth century, the United States extended its empire into the Philippines while subjugating Black Americans in the Jim Crow South. And yet, one of the most popular musical acts was a band of "little brown men," Filipino musicians led by an African American conductor playing European and American music. The Philippine Constabulary Band and Lt. Walter H. Loving entertained thousands in concert halls and world's fairs, held a place of honor in William Howard Taft's presidential parade, and garnered praise by bandmaster John Philip Sousa--all the while facing beliefs and policies that Filipinos and African Americans were "uncivilized."Author Mary Talusan draws on hundreds of newspaper accounts and exclusive interviews with band members and their descendants to compose the story from the band's own voices. She sounds out the meanings of Americans' responses to