The major goal of this program team is to research and write the 4-H history segment on 4-H and Music. Additionally, the team will attempt to locate for digitization purposes actual samples of the many pieces of 4-H sheet music, song books and other artifacts including historical photos relating to 4-H music and tapes and films of 4-H music.

In addition to the collection of sheet music and song books, the team will attempt to research the history of songs at 4-H Camps; the 4-H band and orchestra era of the 1920s, 30s and 40s; early 4-H musical radio shows; 4-H Share the Fun competitions, the national recreation and arts awards program and all other allied areas relating to 4-H songs and music.

On Oct 11 Rick Moses and Larry Krug met with Dan Tabler, Delaware, to discuss the history section on 4-H Songs and Music. Dan has agreed to chair this team and has thoughts on several additional 4-H Extension workers who may be interested in helping, as well. Danny Crew of Florida has already agreed to help and we're hopeful that Jason Burnside of West Virgina will join us, too.

Danny Crew's strengths rest in his impressive collection of 4-H sheet music. Jason did his Masters' Thesis in 2011 on "West Virginia 4-H Camp Songs and Music Traditions." Dan's strengths also are in the 4-H camp music area.

Larry Krug has been researching old issues of National 4-H News for articles on 4-H bands and orchestras. These groups we popular and quite impressive, particularly in the midwestern states during the 1930's and 1940's.

We also hope to include the history of 4-H Share the Fun competitions, the 4-H network radio programs of the 1920's which included a lot of music… and, vinettes of people in the music field who got their start through performing 4-H music.

There probably are a number of other offshoots that will come to light as the team gets actively involved.

Larry Krug

This is a new program team. The initial draft of the history of 4-H Songs and Music was written a couple of years ago but never completed. Recently Dan Tabler of Delaware expressed an interest in working on this area and consented to chairing the team.

Recently Danny Crew of Florida sent the 4-H history team a PDF file of his Collection of 4-H Related Sheet Music, Song Books and Song Sheets. This summary is now up on the history website and Danny has consented to helping as a member of the 4-H Songs and Music team.

Dan Tabler, Larry Krug and Rick Moses will be meeting in mid-October to discuss how to proceed with this project.

Larry Krug