The Glenn Miller Orchestra

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The Glenn Miller Orchestra is one of the most well-known big band groups in history. Glenn Miller was born on a farm in Iowa on March 1st, 1904. When Glenn was about 11 years old, his father bought him his first musical instrument. It was a mandolin.


Glenn Miller received a mandolin as a gift from his father at the age of 11. Is a musical instrument a good gift for an 11-year old child? Why or why not?


Glenn had no interest in playing the mandolin. So, he traded it for a trombone. He practiced as often as possible. In fact, his parents were worried that he was practicing too much. They weren’t sure “if he’d ever amount to anything.”


In 1923, Glenn entered college. He didn’t study very much and failed three of his five classes in one semester. Eventually, Glenn dropped out of college. This allowed him to focus on becoming a professional musician.


Would you be disappointed if your child dropped out of school to pursue a music career? Why or why not?


After dropping out of college, Glenn started to take music very seriously. He took lessons from a very well-regarded musician named Joseph Schillinger. Eventually, he started to tour with several bands.


To become a professional musician, you need to practice a lot—30 hours per week or more. Would you enjoy practicing an instrument this much? Why or why not?


In 1926, Glenn Miller landed a gig with a band led by a man named Ben Pollack. Pollack would later become known as the “Father of Swing.” Around this time, Glenn started writing his own songs. He also moved to New York City, where he earned a living as a trombonist and by arranging music for bands.


In 1928, Glenn married his college sweetheart, Helen Berger. She was from Colorado and traveled all the way to New York City to get married. The couple adopted two children, Jonnie and Steven.


After getting married, Glenn continued to work in the music industry in New York. He built quite a name for himself as a talented musician and music arranger. By 1935, he was recording music with Columbia Records under his own name.


The trombone was Glenn Miller’s main instrument. Does the trombone look difficult to play?


In 1937, Glenn had enough confidence to start his own band. At first, his band did not do very well. Less than one year after forming, his group disbanded after a New Year’s Eve show near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.


The failed venture left Glenn penniless and depressed. He returned to New York to figure out what to do next. One year later, he reformed the Glenn Miller Orchestra. He hired talented young musicians and had a clarinet player as the lead instrument. Audiences loved the new band, and they performed for packed houses.


One of Glenn Miller’s most popular songs, “In the Mood,” doesn’t have any vocals. Do you prefer instrumental songs? Or do you prefer songs with vocals? Why?


The new version of the Glenn Miller Orchestra broke attendance records all over the eastern U.S. For example, at the New York State Fair, which took place in Syracuse, the band drew the largest dancing crowd in the city’s history!


The Glenn Miller Orchestra continued to rise to the top. The band was even featured in two movies–Sun Valley Serenade and Orchestra Wives. Both films were well received by audiences and critics alike. In fact, the film Sun Valley Serenade was nominated for three Oscars!


This is the Glenn Miller Orchestra on the set of Sun Valley Serenade. Would you like to see this film?


World War II had a major impact on the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Many band members were drafted for military service. Glenn also wanted to help with the war effort, so he joined the Army.


This photo shows Glenn Miller in his Army uniform. Does he look handsome?


While serving the country, Glenn organized the Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band. The main goal of the band was to improve the morale of the soldiers. The band was a huge success. They performed more than 800 times in just two years.


Glenn Miller’s Army Air Force Band performed anywhere soldiers could gather—at hospitals, clubs, aircraft hangars, theaters, and schoolyards. In 1944, the band was scheduled to tour Europe. On December 15th, Glenn boarded a flight to Paris. The band would be moving there soon, and Glenn wanted to prepare things before they arrived.


Glenn never made it to Paris. While flying over the English Channel, his plane disappeared. Glenn was never seen again. To this day, Glenn Miller is still considered “Missing in Action.”


The disappearance of Glenn Miller was a shock to all of his fans and to the entire music world. But Glenn has not been forgotten. In fact, in 1956, a saxophone player named Tex Beneke started a new version of the Glenn Miller Orchestra, in memory of the legendary musician.


This new Glenn Miller Orchestra is the most popular and sought-after big band in the world. They perform about 300 shows every year. Fans can still enjoy live performances of his classic songs. So, even though we have lost Glenn Miller, his music lives on.


This completes our story and discussion.

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The Glenn Miller Orchestra

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