The influence of music on people is among the topics for the Friday history conference at this year's festival. Bands tend to be in academic settings now, particularly in colleges and universities, Foreman said. College and university bands have gotten more into performing serious contemporary music, he added. It often is written by composers in academic settings. Music's appeal to the masses is what makes the festival a great event, Foreman said.
Foreman wishes more of the band music being produced today was focused toward pleasing crowds.
Foreman's views will be contrasted by those of Don Hunsberger. Their discussion is the third of three areas the conference will examine. Cipolla, who acts as chairman, explains that the conference title reflects some of the interests of the speakers. On the subject of bands, Fred Crane of Iowa and Elaine Bradshaw of Oklahoma will speak. Kazoos are small, open tubes with a top hole covered by a membrane that gives a buzzing quality to tones hummed through the tube.