TCBOCT Concert
Friday, April 26th – 7:00 PM
Salado Middle School
PROGRAM
Star Spangled Banner… Francis Scott Key
The Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem of the United States. The lyrics come from “Defence of Fort M’Henry,” a poem written in 1814 by the 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet Francis Scott Key after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by British ships of the Royal Navy in the Chesapeake Bay during the Battle of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812.
Sweet Like That … Christopher Theofanidis
Sweet Like That was written to be a fun, exciting new piece for band. The piece incorporates requests from students at Betsy Ross Arts Magnet School with whom Mr. Theofanidis workshopped the piece.
The title of this work comes as a response to the students’ love of jazz titles. Theofanidis looked to the work of the great jazz cornet player, King Oliver, Louis Armstrong’s teacher, and one of the great pioneers of ‘hot jazz’ (where soloists improvise collectively). He wrote a piece called, “Sweet like this.”
Of Sweet like that, series editor Thomas C. Duffy wrote, “It is exuberant, joyful, with a whiff of gospel – it is sound of the American street, instrumental doo-wop; an urban march.”
Second Suite in F for Military Band … Gustav Holst
The Second Suite in F for Military Band (Op. 28, No. 2) is Gustav Holst‘s second of his two suites for concert band. Although performed less frequently than the First Suite in E♭, it is still a staple of the band repertoire. The Second Suite, written in 1911 and first published in 1922, dedicated to James Causley Windram, is longer and considered more difficult to play than its sister suite.
During Holst’s earlier years as a composer, he took interest (as did many composers at the time) in folk music, and wrote many pieces based on folk tunes. He provided piano accompaniments in 1909 to 16 songs collected by George Gardiner for publication in ‘Folk Songs from Hampshire‘, a volume in Cecil Sharp‘s County Songs series.[1] He was taken with them and incorporated several into this suite (he later made choral arrangements of several, including ones he had already used in the suite).
Kunihild: Prelude to the Third Act of the Opera … Cyrill Kistler
Cyrill Kistler was at one time thought to be the successor to Richard Wagner, but other than Kunihild, his works are rarely performed. The revival of Kunihild in 1893 was much more successful than when it was first produced ten years earlier. There is a striking similarity to the music of Wagner in the use of harmony, melody, leitmotivs and musical grandeur.
The opera’s story, based on a medieval legend, contains the expected fairytale elements including a beautiful princess, a brave knight and an enchanted castle.
The Falls … Rossano Galante
Highlighting the falls as it cascades over rocky terrain, sparkling wind and brass fanfares depict the water as it rushes forward before exploding over the edge. Melodic lines transport the audience into the mysterious and rapturous wilderness as this remarkable piece evokes one of nature’s must glorious creations.
Overture for Winds … Charles Carter
Charles Carter composed Overture for Winds in the year 1959. This piece provides great challenges to both the performer and the audience members. The opening section has a theme which is robust and rhythmic in character. The second theme, slightly slower and expressive, is a free form based on the original idea.
The last section is a repetition of the opening thematic ideas, building to a final climax.
The performers must execute tempo, dynamic and articulation changes without “giving away” abrupt shifts to the audience. For the audience, the piece can seem like a roller coaster ride of changes, shifting between fast and slow, yet seamlessly regaining strength and driving toward a brilliant close. This work is underplayed in wind band/ensemble programs, which is quite a shame given the strength and focus required to accomplish such a feat. Mr. Carter created a masterpiece of academic and entertainment value.
Peacemaker March … Karl King, arr. James Swearingen
The pride of Fort Dodge, Iowa, Karl King wrote more than 300 works, of which 188 were marches. His masterful craft and gift for melody are on full display in his Peacemaker march. Karl King was a true master at writing marches that are playable by all grade levels, and this great arrangement is a real classic with modern instrumentation and accurate articulations.