When the Bands Come Marching In: Charles Ives “Putnam’s Camp, Redding, Connecticut”

“Putnam’s Camp, Redding, Connecticut” is a very complex piece of music. While classical in nature, it is a good example of American folk music as well. It was written by Charles Ives in the 1910’s.

The YouTube video is of “Putnam’s Camp” performed by the Leicestershire Schools Symphony.

This part of the composition “Three Place in New England” is simulating what three marching bands sound like as they converge on town square.

The dissonance is created by multiple factions of the orchestra playing against each other.

Ives quotes many American patriotic tunes in this piece to add to the realism of a Fourth of July celebration.