Did Titanic’s two bands have separate libraries? Part III The Final Performance With separate libraries, how could Titanic’s two bands have performed together on the night of the sinking? The story has always been told that the two bands came together to perform for passengers on the night the Titanic sank. From a musical point…… Continue reading Was Titanic’s last performance impacted by separate libraries?

Did Titanic’s two bands have separate libraries? Part II The matter of “separate libraries” has puzzled historians for quite a while, because it was wondered whether this meant the two bands also played different pieces. The question was asked that if the bands both played different titles then how would all eight have been able…… Continue reading Did Titanic’s bands play two different repertoires?

It has been an exciting week! While having a new blog is pretty exciting in itself, beyond that I’ve had an article published in an international piano magazine and a radio interview that went national – all in one week! And to top it off, I’m January’s feature composer in a 2012 calendar of Canadian…… Continue reading CBC Radio Interview with Rebekah Maxner

It has been said that Titanic’s five-piece band and trio had separate libraries of music. There has always been confusion as to what “separate libraries” could mean. Did this mean the bands played from two different lists of music (different titles)? And if so, how could they have performed together on the night of the sinking? This will…… Continue reading Did Titanic’s bands share sheet music?

It has been said that the musicians on board Titanic memorized and played by heart a large body of musical numbers listed in the White Star Line music repertoire book. How true is this? Ensemble Musicians Read Music Since the advent of three-chord popular music, chord charts and the recording industry, audiences have become accustomed…… Continue reading Did Titanic’s band play music by memory?

In my last post I described the advent of palm court performances. A small ensemble performed out of the audience’s sight, behind potted palm plants, to provide background music in a social or restaurant setting. The music was part of the scenery, not the focal point of the outing. The public had the freedom to…… Continue reading Did Titanic have ‘palm court’ performances?