In Search of America July Celebration 2025

July 5, 2025 By Eric Zimmermann

German Couple In Search Of America

On a trip to the Grand Canyon in 2001 BC (before kids) I heard a variety of languages French, Dutch and Japanese being spoken.

I asked a German couple why they decided to travel to the Grand Canyon?

They said that they wanted to see the country John Wayne came from…

“America” Simon & Garfunkel

San Bernardino Symphony World Record Setting Performance of “Stars and Stripes Forever”

In this post you will find:

Video of United States Marine Corp Band performing John Philip Sousa’s “Semper Fidelis” (always faithful)

A video excerpt of the world record setting performance of John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever” by the San Bernardino Symphony.

Links to American Revolution Podcast – I highly recommend.

Please see: San Bernardino Symphony Sets World Record

Third Wedding for a Family Blessed With a Very Creative Mother!

What are the responsibilities of a Mother? These are too numerous to list here.

In pottery when you make a pot your are “throwing a pot”. Sometimes when firing a ceramic pot it breaks. Linda is Japanese by heritage. She produced 250 tea cups as wedding favors. So she “threw” and fired 300 tea cups (knowing some would break) to arrive at enough gifts for 250 guests. These were individually boxed. Hand thrown rice bowls and tiny plates for sashimi were also made and given as wedding favors. Read more about this incredibly creative mother and how she thoroughly enjoyed producing 3 amazing weddings for her children.

Read more and see video: Beautiful Wedding @ Trump National Golf Club.

Happy July 2025!

Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann

Master of Ceremonies

Pianist

Bandleader

Host of Wedding & Event Podcast

Elegant Music 323-270-3650

San Bernardino Symphony Sets World Record

July 5, 2025 By Eric Zimmermann

“Semper Fidelis” March

I recommend listening to any one of the marches by John Philip Sousa. You will hear familiar melodies that are at the heartbeat of American Patriotism.

sem·per fi·de·lis

/ˌsempər fiˈdālis/

adjective

always faithful (the motto of the United States Marine Corps).

In a wonderful introduction at the beginning of this recording the conductor of the United States Marine Corp Band imparts the origin of this iconic composition that I’m sure you will enjoy.

Stars and Stripes Forever

The standard orchestral arrangement of “The Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Philip Sousa includes one piccolo part.

There are also arrangements and performances that feature multiple piccolos, such as the version for four piccolos, or even performances with dozens or hundreds of piccolos.

It’s American to Think Big. More Piccolos!

San Bernardino Symphony sets world record.

Please enjoy this excerpt of a live performance by the San Bernardo Symphony augmented by 192 piccolos. Sheila (the better half of Elegant Music) though a Flutist also plays Piccolo.

She and several of her fellow fluters…

joined tooters arriving from far and wide…

who gave a hoot…

and put down their flute…

to pick up their piccolos.

And the 192…

as one, gave a mighty toot!

“American Revolution Podcast”

I highly recommend this fascinating podcast by Michael Troy. In 2017 he began publication of the American Revolution Podcast, serving as writer, producer, and editor, as well as the voice of the podcast. Listen to Episode 001: Introduction

This podcast is concisely written. I found each episode fascinating and learned a lot.

Happy 4th of July 2025!

Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann

Master of Ceremonies

Pianist

Bandleader

Host of Wedding & Event Podcast

Elegant Music 323-270-3650

Grand Canon | In Search Of America

July 3, 2025 By Eric Zimmermann

German Couple In Search of America

On a trip to the Grand Canyon in 2001 BC (before kids) I heard a variety of languages French, Dutch and Japanese being spoken.

I asked a German couple why they decided to travel to the Grand Canyon?

They said, “They wanted to see the country that John Wayne came from.”

Now that’s a favorable idea about America. It’s about a hero. It’s a search for an ideal that brought that couple halfway around the world to America.

Hollywood in many ways has promoted that “self reliant pioneer spirit that won the West” and by this, I believe that America has a good reputation around the world.

I was made proud when I heard their story.

The Jazz Era of the 1920s – The Swing Era of the “30s” and “40s.”

Along with the international influence of Hollywood, American Jazz of the 1920s, 30s and 40s also contributed to the broad dissemination of American culture throughout the world.

The “Great American Song Book” is essentially a collection of Broadway Show Tunes “covered” “recorded” and made popular by artists such as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and others.

American Jazz Musicians adopted this music and their interpretation and improvisation created a new art form and freedom of expression.

Please see this video honoring “The Greatest Generation”: 100th Birthday Party Swing Band @ Shakespear Club Pasadena, California