E
very month is
dedicated to
honoring certain
traditions or holidays.
June just happens to be a
celebration of three different
musical styles: AfricanAmerican Music Appreciation
Month, International Surf
Music Month, and National
Accordion Awareness Month.
You could certainly pick just
one of these to celebrate, but
why not try all three? You’ll
learn quite a bit and maybe
discover a new genre you
never knew you’d like.
It’s so important and you’ll
learn so much! Here are
several ways to celebrate
the holiday: check out some
artists you’ve heard about
but never actually heard,
watch a few documentaries
on musicians, read a book
about a musician you know (or
learn about an artist you never
knew before), or support local
artists! Hopefully you’re doing
this anyway, but if not, why not
start now? Check your area to
find some bands near you. It’s
less expensive than a major
concert and just as fun!
Every genre has been
expanded and improved by
the contributions of AfricanAmericans. One person
you may not know about is
Harry Lawrence Freeman
(1869-1954), who founded
the Negro Grand Opera
Company and Salem School
of Music in Harlem in 1920.
Freeman is important to note
because his contributions
are far enough in the past
that most of us don’t know
about them. However, there
are so many wonderful
artists that are not properly
acknowledged or celebrated.
This month, I challenge you
to take any genre and focus
on the amazing contributions
made by African-Americans.
International Surf Music
Month is perfect for June!
The summer is kicking off, and
what better way to celebrate
than by playing some surf
music? Bust out that old
Beach Boys album, or do a
quick Internet search and find
someone new. You’re never
more than a click away from a
new musical discovery. While
you’re trying new surf music,
why not try surfing? I’m terribly
uncoordinated and the only
time I ever tried surfing was
a disaster. I face planted into
the sand until I had chunks
of it embedded underneath
my eyelids. I’ll stick to just the
music, but if you’re looking to
try something new this month,
maybe surfing is for you.
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