Spring Is Coming Soon
by Mike Wilson
In the early 1900s, America was in the midst of the Industrial Revolution, the outlook was optimistic, and music was in transition. "Popular" culture was taking over. In the vein of the "Daisy Bell" era, "Spring Is Coming Soon" offers its optimistic look toward spring to your listeners.
An acoustic rhythm section combined with strings, flute, clarinet, and an organ grinder's street organ sound supports the dominant 7th oriented chordal structure to put you right on that bicycle built for two. The melody line goes right where you would expect for the style, and the older kids or even some teachers or adult helpers will enjoy the optional part 2. The low strings play along with the part 2 line on the recording, so even if you don't have a 2-part choir, the audience will feel the effect.
Though its usefulness may lie in its seasonality, the musical style can certainly serve to open up discussion about the fascinating history of the pre-Depression 1900s in America. Just a quick look at organ grinders is fun in itself.
Text is taken from Music K-8 magazine.