Marshall's Civic Band

Donated to Marshall's Band by J.D. Parr of the Baker University band.  Dedicated 
to Paul Whiteman.  Concert notes on folder: 
 
  Peter De Rose, composer, lyricist and thorough musician, comes by his musical 
heritage quite naturally.  De Rose, a native of New Yorker born of Italian 
parents, was one of nine children, each of whom considered music as a serious 
occupation and not as an adjunct to drawing room popularity. 
  Educated in the schools of New York City, his musical education began when he 
was twelve years old, under the guidance of an older sister.  He took exactly 
four piano lessons from her before he discovered that it was easier for him to 
play be year than by note. 
  So far had his musical self-education progressed that one year later, at the 
age of 13, he was composing simple melodies. 
  When he finished school, he found that he had three occupations to choose 
from.  Because of his love for music, he chose the job of stock boy in a music 
publishing house.  His first published song, several years later, was an 
immediate hit.  It was called "When You're Gone I Won't Forget You," and was 
almost hymnal in proportions as compared in style to his present day efforts. 
  In 1923, he teamed up with a young lady known as May Singhi Breen.  He played 
the piano, she the ukulele, and both sang in a new and inimitable style.  Soon 
the duo of "May Singhi Breen and Peter De Rose" was among the foremost stars of 
the National Broadcasting System.  Nor has their air popularity dimmed in the 
many years since they became a team.  They are still known as "The Sweethearts 
of the Air."  Several years ago, May Singhi Breen became Mrs. Peter De Rose. 
  De Rose has been responsible for many song hits during recent years.  Some of 
his better known compositions are "Muddy Waters", When Your Hair Has Turned To 
Silver," "Somebody Loves You," "Have You Ever Been Lonely," and "Wagon Wheels." 
His most recent composition, "Deep Purple," is his first attempt at a more 
serious type of music.  It was inspired and suggested by Paul Whiteman, who has 
classed it as "typical modern American music." 
 
Deep Purple: A velour musical pattern by Peter De Rose in four movements, 
inspired by the blaze of rich colors in the rainbow.  The first of the four is 
the "majestic" movement, which establishes the central melodic strain.  The 
second, the "jazz" movement, depicts the riot of colors outlined against the 
sunburst in the beautiful spectrum forming its arc against a sky of azure blue. 
The third or "D Flat" movement, "The Skies Clear," shows the composer in a 
reflective mood pondering upon this miracle of nature.  The work concludes with 
a reprise of the first or "majestic" movement, wherein the composer, using the 
keyboard as a palette, paints a brilliant canvas of "Deep Purple." 
 
The Publishers