Noteable Tribute

Lon Morris teacher/composer Charles Davis writes "The Cherokeean" to honor local newspaper.

'The Cherokeean'

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "The only gift is a portion of thyself." If this is true, then Charles Davis doesn't mind giving a lot of himself.

Mr. Davis, a member of the music faculty at Lon Morris College, is a composer who does not create music for recognition or monetary gain. Rather, he does it simply because he is able to do so.

"I don't feel it (composing) is something I do myself," he said. "It is a God-given talent. I'm very grateful that, of all the things I could do in my life, God gave me the talent to compose."

Mr. Davis used that talent to compose a new march, named "The Cherokeean" in honor of the Cherokeean Herald.

"I moved to Rusk in 2006 and I've really enjoyed it," he said. "I enjoy living in a small town. I've gotten to know Marie Whitehead (Cherokeean Herald owner) very well and she is one of the true mentors that I have had over the years. I really respect her thoughts and her presence in my life."

The newspaper business is one that Mr. Davis knows, as well, having served as an editor of a small newspaper in West Texas prior to moving to Rusk.

"I've always had an interest in the newspaper business," he said. "When I was thinking about writing this march, I got to thinking

about how I'd like to honor the town and the people that I've known over the last few years.

"I've always appreciated newspapers. The free press is one of the great liberties that Americans enjoy."

Mr. Davis also said that writing "The Cherokeean" followed a long-standing tradition for militaryinspired marches.

"It was traditional in the early days of the 20th century to write marches in honor of an organization," he explained. "What better organization than the Cherokeean?"

'I'm compelled to compose'

The fact that Mr. Davis is around to create a new march is notable. On June 30, 2007, Mr. Davis underwent a liver transplant.

"It's a miracle I'm alive," he said. "Right now, I feel great for the first time in my life. It will bother me a little forever, but it's a lot better than the alternative."

Mr. Davis draws inspiration from several different sources, including his father, who was a banjo player in a Dixieland band.

"My father was the only other musician in my family," he said. "I majored in composing in college and I've been a composer all my life.  I always said that if made a career out of composing, I'd write pieces mould that I felt my father would enjoy."

Mr. Davis said that he enjoys what he does primarily because he feels he's driven to do so.

"I'm compelled to compose," he said. "I like to  compose for my friends."

The majority of pieces created by Mr. Davis are more for his students rather than a desire for money or recognition.

"I'll typically write music for a student that needs a solo or for an ensemble for which I can't find any music," he said. "Most of my pieces are for band or orchestra, but I'll sometimes write for choir."

"The Cherokeean" was composed using a music editing software known as Finale, which composes and arranges music.

"The whole process took me about two days," he said. "I've always got a tune in my head. Sometimes, it will take me a little longer, but I can always write a march."

The Cherokeean, musically

 

The sound of "The Cherokeean" is a basic march, with all instruments - woodwinds, brass and percussion - sharing equal time in the spotlight. The music can be separated into three parts: an opening strain, a first melody, followed by a key change that leads into another melody.

"It's traditional to allow brass to play the first strain, followed by a melody by the low brass," Mr. Davis explained.

"Typically, marches will then change key and have another melody in the new key. There are as many different styles as composers, ers, though."

Mr. Davis did write "The Cherokeean" a little differently from other marches, however. The second melody is driven by woodwind instruments, especially clarinets.

"Since woodwinds don't get featured a lot, I like to feature them before I bring other instruments in," he said.

"Still, the way I wrote the march is in a method used by earlier composers, such as John Phillip Sousa. There's nothing new that I invented."

Mr. Davis said that he planned to have the song copyrighted and performed at some point in the near future. "With Lon Morris starting a football team, eventually, they'll have to have a marching band," he said. "Also, I wrote it to where a 1-3A band could play it, such as Rusk High St School. I'll copy the parts to see how it sounds with a full ensemble. It depends on who you have and the strengths of the band.

"I'm not sure yet how it wt will sound, but I want to try it and see. The idea is for the march to be played, not to leave it on a CD with artificial sound."

Although Mr. Davis isn't looking for personal fame and glory, his love for music is evident.

 

"Usually, once the purpose of the song is over, I'll kind of file it away," he said. "My wife thinks that after I die, people will dig up my music and I'll be famous then.

"In truth, I just write for the love of music. I realize that I have a talent and I need to use it for the benefit of others and not for myself."

The score has received plaudits from Cherokeean Herald publisher Marie Whitehead. "I'm so touched and honored that Charles wrote this piece," she said. "Not only does it honor our 159 years of service to the community, but it also honors everyone who has been a part of this newspaper during our march through life."