LISTENING TO MUSIC THROUGHOUT HISTORY

COMPOSER SPOTLIGHT- GLENN MILLER

Lived from 1904-1944

Glenn Miller was born in Iowa in 1904 He was one of six family members. His family moved around quite a bit until they settled for a while in Grant City, Oklahoma. At the age of 13 Glenn got a job milking cows to earn enough money to purchase a trombone. His love of music came from his mother who was a source of strength and inspiration throughout his life. 

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Throughout Miller's life he played in several bands and is notoroius for creating his Glenn Miller Orchestra in which he brought together some of the best big band players around. 

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In 1942 during World War II Miller accepted the rank of captain in the US Army and was named the Director of Bands. He was later relieved of his assignment and continued to build and grow his own band. 

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In 1944 Miller recieved permission to take his band overseas into England, where he and his band performed for many military hospitals and airfields, where they entertainied soilders and helped restore morale. His next band trip was scheduled to Paris, France, but he never made it there. Miller was headed on a flight to Paris to make preparations for the arrival of his band. After boarding the plane, and taking off into a stormy afternoon, the plane, the pilot, and its passengers were never seen again. 

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Some of Miller's best works include:

"In the Mood"

"Moonlight Serenade"

"Chatanooga Choo, Choo"

You can listen to these in the videos below. Enjoy :)