New book on Philippine cultural history (2021): Instruments of Empire

The University Press of Mississipi announces the availability of a book on Philippine cultural history. The book is written by Dr. Mary Talusan of the Asian-Pacific studies at California State University, Dominguez Hills. It is entitled Instruments of Empire: Filipino Musicians, Black Soldiers, and Military Band Music during US Colonization of the Philippines

(ISBN 978-1-4968-3567-3; Paper $30.00; Publication date: September 2021).

The book centers on the theme of HOW A PHILIPPINE MILITARY BAND AND THEIR BLACK CONDUCTOR DAZZLED AMERICA WHILE SOOTHING ITS RACIAL ANXIETIES

Dr. Christine Balance, author of Tropical Renditions: Making Musical Scenes in Filipino America, has to say of this book

“Instruments of Empire is the first book-length study of the historic Philippine Constabulary Band, a military band (and, in their later years, an orchestra) led by African American US military officer and bandleader Lt. Walter H. Loving. Through close readings of archival documents, oral histories and interviews, secondary sources, and reimaginings of prior performances, Talusan brings music—its performers and performances—to the forefront. Her work beautifully lays out for us how these Filipino musicians and their work teach us to listen against the ‘imperial ear’ and, in the process, apprehend the deep significance of the Philippine Constabulary Band’s early twentieth-century musical and everyday performances until today.”