2013-1 Remembrances Special Edition1
City of Schertz
Remembrances Special Edition Article 2013-1
Presented By: Schertz Historical Preservation Committee
Schertz Music Preservationists Make Old Hearts Feel Young Again
Wikipedia traces the history of American music back to the Native Americans whose music was
mostly religious in purpose but varied in style and content. European arrivals to America and the
Southwest brought with them varying styles and choices of music and musical instruments. The
importation of slaves contributed to the diversity of American musical choice. The more diverse
became the mix of peoples arriving on American shores, the more diverse became its music. All
nationalities had a contribution to make. Today’s African American gospel music comes straight
from Scotland. Elvis Presley was raised with gospel music as his first love and that is a result of
his parents being from Scottish-Irish backgrounds. Among the early styles of American popular
music was the blues and jazz. The early 1900s witnessed the popularity of the latter two music
forms take hold in America. By the 1950s, a new and revolutionary musical style emerged
called rock and roll. Rock and roll brook down stereotypes of what music was supposed to be.
Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis led the way for the unstoppable march of popularity of rock
and roll among the youth of the time.
Music has always played an important role in the evolution of American culture. It has served to
raise spirits of Puritan religious faithful, sustained morale of African American slaves, led men
into battle throughout revolutionary times, provided means of promoting war bond sales and
esprit-de-corps in WW II (i.e.,” God Bless America”/”Any Bonds Today?”), inspired youth
protests and “freedom” marches (“We Shall Overcome” – U.S. civil rights movement) and
generally provided memorable and inspirational moments in concert halls, theaters, and churches
throughout America. Music can also be medicinal as can be testified to by members of the
Schertz Area Senior Center Choir who apply such musical treatments to the rehabilitation
therapy offered at our city’s two medical rehabilitation centers.
Just over one year ago the idea was born of resurrecting some of our country’s old time standard
musical tunes for the benefit of Schertz’ most senior and in-need citizens. The idea was to
provide a musical performance every month for the residents of Schertz’ two rehabilitation
centers (Silver Tree and Autumn Winds). Since most of the residents of the facilities are elderly
folks, it was decided that they would most appreciate musical tunes that served to provide
memories of earlier times. The brainchild of the idea was Lois Ferguson, a Schertz Area Senior
Center member. Lois began recruiting singers from among the Senior Center’s members and
created a small singing group she coined as “Lois and the Halos”. The group began with about
six members and steadily grew as word spread of the type music being sung and the cause for
which the performances were being given. Today, the group numbers between twenty and
twenty-five members. The music selected for performances is usually of three different types.
The old popular standards of the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s usually occupy most of the program.
The pop standards are followed by a few old time devotional hymns and the program is
concluded with a couple of patriotic songs. There is always an effort to select tunes that might
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be appropriate for what ever holiday is being celebrated in any particular month. Most of the
selected tunes are familiar to the audience and they are encourage to sing along if they know the
tune (and most do). It’s very obvious to the performers that their music is good therapy for the
rehab center residents. The mood is quite and somber as each performance begins but quickly
changes to joyful and celebrative as the songs roll out and memories begin to revive. The
audience easily begins to register the familiar musical notes and toes begin to tap, lips begin to
move and smiles appear. Applause is a performer’s greatest reward and the rehab residents offer
plenty of it.
Musical history may not be thought of in terms of local Schertz historical preservation, but it
certainly has an influence within our community whenever performers join together to entertain
others with the songs and compositions that have long pleased audiences. Musical programs
may last but a short while but their impact can last a lifetime. Preserving the sounds and voice
recordings of the great artists of this and former times is a noble endeavor just as is the local
effort to remind our elderly citizens of the beauty of the music of our past. Musicians and vocal
performers of whatever caliber serve as historic preservationists each time they perform tunes
from the musical archives of what we might call the “American songbook.” So, thanks to all
who by performing keep the great music of America alive and ready to be passed on to another
generation.
Schertz Area Senior Center Choir preparing to sing at Autumn Winds Nursing Home