National Kazoo Day

National Kazoo Day! (Yes, there really is a National Kazoo Day.)

Come to the Seuss Room of Geisel Library to hear new works for Kazoo:
serious chamber works and songs from the Cat in the Hat Songbook.
Also: get a free kazoo.
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The Kazoo: More Than An
Annoying Party Favor

The kazoo may be best known
as an annoying party favor, but research tools at the UC San Diego Library
reveal some historical surprises and current uses.  Speech therapists have had success using the
kazoo as a rehabilitation tool for adults and as an ice-breaker for young
children who are perhaps too shy to engage in prescribed vocal exercise.
Anthropologists and sociologists have found ancient kazoos thought to be used
in solemn ceremonies in Africa and Mexico. Classical composers and pop
musicians alike have snuck kazoos into their compositions and recordings.

National Kazoo Day is
almost upon us!  The date is often
celebrated on the fourth Thursday of January, but this year the cabal of kazoo
leaders have opted for the more stationary numerical date of January 28th
(falling on a Tuesday this year.)

Come to the Seuss Room of
Geisel Library on Tuesday, January 28th, 2013, at noon to sort through some
fascinating kazoo literature (scholarly articles and musical scores) and listen
to some new chamber music for kazoo composed by alumni of UC San Diego. Encore
songs from The Cat in the Hat Songbook will be performed, if the audience
insists. A collection of kazoos from many decades and many countries will be on
view and, while supplies last, a free kazoo for attendees.