User:MichaelMarcucciWVU/String band

History of African American old-time string band music
Although African American old-time string bands recorded history is that of the early 20th century, the beginnings of the music started much earlier. Many people once believed that the role African Americans played in the upcoming of old-time string band music was either nonexistent or to interest the middle ages or medieval times. The genre of African American folk music actually began with the use of percussion instruments, which were used to create music in form of encouragement to keep the slaves exercising on slave ships. Furthermore, that then sparked the usage of percussion instruments such as banjos and violins that the slaves played as a way of entertainment.

Instruments in an old-time string band
Old-time string bands were mainly composed of stringed instruments. Those instruments being the fiddle, 5-string banjo, acoustic guitar, and an upright bass/cello. Depending on the type of genre the old-time music is being accompanied by, the stringed instruments may also be joined by other instruments including spoons, washboards, jugs, harmonica, harps and pianos.

What a Mummer is
It's any man, woman or child involved in the fantasy of song, dance and costume splendor on each January 1st in the annual Philadelphia New Year's Day parade, The mummers devote an entire year to crafting their costumes, writing their skits, rehearsing their performances. Mummers have their roots in the past, tracing as far back as ancient Egypt. Their best documented during the medieval period, where the mummers' play was a popular pastime for the poor. There's a wide variety of mummer plays, but they're characterized by big masks and pantomime traditions.

String Bands: Mummers who play music while strutting down Broad St. They’re not permitted to play any brass instruments and only use saxophones, banjos, accordions, violins, percussion instruments (including glockenspiels) and bass violins.

How it was introduced to Philadelphia
Credit goes to the Swedish immigrants in Philadelphia in the late 17th century. But it was quickly picked up by other neighborhoods in South Philly. In Philadelphia, it used to be a celebration of rivalry between the neighborhoods. Philadelphia is a very neighborhood-oriented city and the neighbors of certain areas would gather around their fire house and do a lot of the reveling before New Years. The city got involved by sanctioning and organizing the first official Philadelphia Mummers Parade in 1901. The city figured with its involvement it could tone down the parade.

Mummers Parade
The Philadelphia Mummers Parade is believed to be one of the oldest folk festivals in America, and a tradition that has been going on since the time of ancient Egyptians. The parade begins in the morning at 9 a.m. and ends around 5 p.m., the shorter route lends itself to denser crowds. The Parade begins at City Hall and continues south to Washington Avenue. While the performers put on a show throughout the entire shindig, three special performance areas are designated along South Broad Street, also known as the Avenue of the Arts. Judging takes place at 15th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard.

Mummers Parade Divisions
The Philadelphia Mummers Parade has always been divided into 5 different divisions. All 5 of these different divisions have been developed to represent a different part of the parade. These divisions are titled Fancy, Comic, Wench Brigade, String Band and Fancy Brigade. The first division is the Fancy division, the title of which speaks for itself. This division focuses on the colors, designs, textures, costumes and floats presented in the parade. With competing in this category, the prize may involve bragging rights. The next division is the Comic division, also known as the original division. The Comic division is known to be the glue of the parade, for it brings families and others together and portray dedication and love. The Wench Brigade is the most recently added division to the family. These members take pride in tradition and keeping the name of the parade. Then there is the String Bands division, and this title also speaks for itself. This division is the music aspect of the parade. Different string bands compete at the Mummers Parade and play music for all. Lastly, the Fancy Brigade division which is just a group of people whom requested to have their own division.

References:
https://www.ferkostringband.com/ferko-history

https://www.ferkostringband.com/charities-partnerships

https://www.mrmummer.com/history-of-the-mummers/

https://phillymummers.com/divisions/

https://mummersmuseum.com/about/

https://philadelphiaencyclopedia.org/archive/mummers/