Program for December 11, 2016 First Baptist Church
Videorecording of this concert
Artwork by Ella
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year (1963)...... Edward Pola (1907–1995) & George Wyle (1916–2203), arr. (2009) Chris Sharp
Written in 1963 for entertainer Andy Williams’ first Christmas album, this song has never waned in popularity. It has been recorded by at least eight artists besides Williams, and it has been employed in multiple television advertisements.
Sussex Mummers Christmas Carol (1886)................................................. Percy Grainger (1882–1961), arr. (2006) Douglas Stotter
Sussex is a county in southeast England, and a “mummer” is one who goes merrymaking in disguise during a festival. Lucy Broadwood, a collector of British folk songs, heard this song during the early 1880s in a Sussex town at the end of a play, and she wrote it down. Starting in 1905 and finishing in 1911, Percy Grainger arranged it for piano, the setting on which this band arrangement is based. The lyrics to the final verse of the carol are "May God bless your house, your children too, Your cattle and your store; The Lord increase you day by day, and send you more and more."
Variants on a Mediaeval Tune (1963)..................................................... Norman Dello Joio (1913–2008)
Commissioned for the Duke University Band, this was Dello Joio’s first original work for band. The theme is “In dulci jubilo,” which is commonly a setting for the Christmas song, “Good Christian Men Rejoice.” After an introductory fanfare and a presentation of the theme, mostly by woodwinds, there are five contrasting variations. This work is a standard in the repertoire of the concert band.
O Christmas Tree (1978).......................................................................... arr. (2015) Jeff Simmons (1943)
This jazz waltz version of the traditional German folk song belies its original intent, which was to contrast a faithless lover with the evergreen dependability of the fir tree. Arranger Jeff Simmons has crafted a full-on, modern-sounding celebration of the beauty of a Christmas tree.
All I Want for Christmas is You (1994)...................... Mariah Carey (1970) & Walter Afanasieff (1958), arr. (2012) Larry Kirchner
Mark Fields, baritone
For her fourth studio album Mariah Carey co-wrote with Walter Afanasieff what may be the only post-rock-and-roll Christmas pop classic. This afternoon we feature Hazard native, EKU alumnus, and Fayette County music educator Mark Fields on vocals.
Laughing All the Way (1857)........................................................................ James Pierpont (1822–1893), arr. (2009) Larry MacTaggart
Subtitled “For all who love snow,” this arrangement of Jingle Bells presents one delightful surprises after another! It’s a farcical “show-biz” treatment that may leave you, well, laughing in delight.
Written in 1963 for entertainer Andy Williams’ first Christmas album, this song has never waned in popularity. It has been recorded by at least eight artists besides Williams, and it has been employed in multiple television advertisements.
Sussex Mummers Christmas Carol (1886)................................................. Percy Grainger (1882–1961), arr. (2006) Douglas Stotter
Sussex is a county in southeast England, and a “mummer” is one who goes merrymaking in disguise during a festival. Lucy Broadwood, a collector of British folk songs, heard this song during the early 1880s in a Sussex town at the end of a play, and she wrote it down. Starting in 1905 and finishing in 1911, Percy Grainger arranged it for piano, the setting on which this band arrangement is based. The lyrics to the final verse of the carol are "May God bless your house, your children too, Your cattle and your store; The Lord increase you day by day, and send you more and more."
Variants on a Mediaeval Tune (1963)..................................................... Norman Dello Joio (1913–2008)
Commissioned for the Duke University Band, this was Dello Joio’s first original work for band. The theme is “In dulci jubilo,” which is commonly a setting for the Christmas song, “Good Christian Men Rejoice.” After an introductory fanfare and a presentation of the theme, mostly by woodwinds, there are five contrasting variations. This work is a standard in the repertoire of the concert band.
O Christmas Tree (1978).......................................................................... arr. (2015) Jeff Simmons (1943)
This jazz waltz version of the traditional German folk song belies its original intent, which was to contrast a faithless lover with the evergreen dependability of the fir tree. Arranger Jeff Simmons has crafted a full-on, modern-sounding celebration of the beauty of a Christmas tree.
All I Want for Christmas is You (1994)...................... Mariah Carey (1970) & Walter Afanasieff (1958), arr. (2012) Larry Kirchner
Mark Fields, baritone
For her fourth studio album Mariah Carey co-wrote with Walter Afanasieff what may be the only post-rock-and-roll Christmas pop classic. This afternoon we feature Hazard native, EKU alumnus, and Fayette County music educator Mark Fields on vocals.
Laughing All the Way (1857)........................................................................ James Pierpont (1822–1893), arr. (2009) Larry MacTaggart
Subtitled “For all who love snow,” this arrangement of Jingle Bells presents one delightful surprises after another! It’s a farcical “show-biz” treatment that may leave you, well, laughing in delight.
