Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Identifier

1138

Date

2014

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Musical Arts

Major

Music

Concentration

Performance

Committee Chair

Kenneth Kreitner

Committee Member

Allen Rippe

Committee Member

Michelle Vigneau

Committee Member

Albert Nguyen

Abstract

This document explores the life and work of Benjamin Vereecken, a noted saxophonist of the early twentieth century. Vereecken was among the most prominent artists of his time, and performed with the bands of Sousa, Clarke, and Pryor. Vereecken’s career is traced from its beginnings in his native Belgium, through his rise in the band world, to his eventual retirement in California. In addition to his performance reputation, Vereecken was also well known as pedagogue, composer, and arranger. His innovative method materials were in widespread use at a time when the popularity of the saxophone was exploding. His substantial catalogue of solo compositions represents a significant portion of the published repertory available to saxophonists of the 1920s. In addition to providing a narrative of Vereecken’s life, this document reviews and contextualizes his artistic and pedagogical output. Particular attention is given to the features of his career that offer broader insight into the musical climate of the early twentieth century. Vereecken’s story reveals details of the work conditions under which instrumentalists lived and provides a window into the rise saxophone as a concert instrument.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to the local University of Memphis Electronic Theses & dissertation (ETD) Repository.

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