Program for December 13, 2009 Madison Central High School Auditorium
Gavorkna Fanfare (1991) Jack Stamp (1954)
In this work, the composer, who is the director of bands at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, treats the woodwind, brass, and percussion choirs as equal partners. Describable as “fierce,” “intense,” and “majestic,” this short ternary statement has become a favorite opener for concert bands.
First Suite in E-flat for Military Band (1909) Gustav Holst (1874–1934)
I. Chaconne
II. Intermezzo
III. March
British composer Gustav Holst wrote just a few works for band but they stand as cornerstone works for the medium. His two suites for band, and a BBC commission he called “Hammersmith” are foundational works for the repertoire as it exists a century later. The first movement of the suite in E-flat is a chaconne, synonymous with a passacaglia, which means there is a repeating theme (sixteen times, in this case) that is ever present, although in this work it is inverted twice. The theme passes from section to section, and is accompanied on each repetition by various colors, textures, and rhythmic constructs. The same melody is the basis for the remaining two movements. Movement two, marked “Vivace,” features the woodwinds of the band with scintillating ornaments and vigorous runs. The third movement is classic British march style, slower than American marches, with an unmistakable Anglican dignity.
Pageant (1954) Vincent Persichetti (1915–1987)
The band world owes a great debt to Vincent Persichetti, one of the first mid-century American composers who elected to treat the medium as artistically viable. The three note motive introduced by the horn is employed persistently throughout the two sections of the work. The first portion is a lush chorale, and is contrasted by march-like, angular, abrupt second half. The final “gritty” chord contains all twelve pitches except for B, C#, and F#, which were the opening three notes.
Them Basses March (1924) Getty Herschel Huffine (1889–1947)
Born and raised in Bowling Green, Kentucky Getty Huffine was a working-class born factory employee whose first serious musical experience consisted of teaching himself to play valve trombone in order to participate in a new community band. He then gained summer employment as a tubist with some traveling shows, and winter income engraving music for the Barnhouse Publishing Company. He subsequently moved to New York and played in the famous Endicott-Johnson She Factory Band. After a fanfare by the trumpets, this, his most well known composition, features the low voices of the band throughout.
Prelude, Siciliano and Rondo (1965) Malcolm Arnold (1921–2006)
arr. (1979) by John P. Paynter
I. Prelude: Allegro ma non troppo
II. Siciliano: Andantino
III. Rondo: Allegro vivace. Presto
British composer and professional trumpeter Malcolm Arnold wrote numerous works in the classical genre, and is well known for his score the movie, The Bridge Over the River Kwai. Originally a brass band work entitled Little Suite for Brass, this arrangement expands the percussion and adds woodwinds. Although only the third movement is called such, each movement is in rondo form (ABACA). The Prelude is bold and declarative, the Siciliano (Sicilian Dance) is lilting and sweet, and the Rondo is driving and spritely.
The Sussex Mummers’ Christmas Carol (1911) Percy Aldridge Grainger (1882–1961)
arr. (1965) by Richard Franko Goldman
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 in a Sussex town at the end of a play and wrote it down. Later, Percy Grainger arranged it for piano. He began, and Richard Franko Goldman completed this band arrangement, the middle section of which features the French horns in an alternate key echo of the melody, but an echo that is more powerful than the original. 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."
A Christmas Festival (1950) Leroy Anderson (1908–1975)
When Bostonian Leroy Anderson was a graduate student at Harvard he directed and crafted several clever arrangements for the Harvard Band. His work came to the attention of another music director in town, Arthur Fiedler of the Boston Pops. Over the next several years Fiedler premiered a number of his excellent miniatures such as The Typewriter, Sleigh Ride, and Blue Tango. His A Christmas Festival has become a favorite holiday medley, made up of Deck the Halls, God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen, Good King Wenceslas, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Silent Night, Jingle Bells, and O Come, All Ye Faithful.
In this work, the composer, who is the director of bands at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, treats the woodwind, brass, and percussion choirs as equal partners. Describable as “fierce,” “intense,” and “majestic,” this short ternary statement has become a favorite opener for concert bands.
First Suite in E-flat for Military Band (1909) Gustav Holst (1874–1934)
I. Chaconne
II. Intermezzo
III. March
British composer Gustav Holst wrote just a few works for band but they stand as cornerstone works for the medium. His two suites for band, and a BBC commission he called “Hammersmith” are foundational works for the repertoire as it exists a century later. The first movement of the suite in E-flat is a chaconne, synonymous with a passacaglia, which means there is a repeating theme (sixteen times, in this case) that is ever present, although in this work it is inverted twice. The theme passes from section to section, and is accompanied on each repetition by various colors, textures, and rhythmic constructs. The same melody is the basis for the remaining two movements. Movement two, marked “Vivace,” features the woodwinds of the band with scintillating ornaments and vigorous runs. The third movement is classic British march style, slower than American marches, with an unmistakable Anglican dignity.
Pageant (1954) Vincent Persichetti (1915–1987)
The band world owes a great debt to Vincent Persichetti, one of the first mid-century American composers who elected to treat the medium as artistically viable. The three note motive introduced by the horn is employed persistently throughout the two sections of the work. The first portion is a lush chorale, and is contrasted by march-like, angular, abrupt second half. The final “gritty” chord contains all twelve pitches except for B, C#, and F#, which were the opening three notes.
Them Basses March (1924) Getty Herschel Huffine (1889–1947)
Born and raised in Bowling Green, Kentucky Getty Huffine was a working-class born factory employee whose first serious musical experience consisted of teaching himself to play valve trombone in order to participate in a new community band. He then gained summer employment as a tubist with some traveling shows, and winter income engraving music for the Barnhouse Publishing Company. He subsequently moved to New York and played in the famous Endicott-Johnson She Factory Band. After a fanfare by the trumpets, this, his most well known composition, features the low voices of the band throughout.
Prelude, Siciliano and Rondo (1965) Malcolm Arnold (1921–2006)
arr. (1979) by John P. Paynter
I. Prelude: Allegro ma non troppo
II. Siciliano: Andantino
III. Rondo: Allegro vivace. Presto
British composer and professional trumpeter Malcolm Arnold wrote numerous works in the classical genre, and is well known for his score the movie, The Bridge Over the River Kwai. Originally a brass band work entitled Little Suite for Brass, this arrangement expands the percussion and adds woodwinds. Although only the third movement is called such, each movement is in rondo form (ABACA). The Prelude is bold and declarative, the Siciliano (Sicilian Dance) is lilting and sweet, and the Rondo is driving and spritely.
The Sussex Mummers’ Christmas Carol (1911) Percy Aldridge Grainger (1882–1961)
arr. (1965) by Richard Franko Goldman
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 in a Sussex town at the end of a play and wrote it down. Later, Percy Grainger arranged it for piano. He began, and Richard Franko Goldman completed this band arrangement, the middle section of which features the French horns in an alternate key echo of the melody, but an echo that is more powerful than the original. 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."
A Christmas Festival (1950) Leroy Anderson (1908–1975)
When Bostonian Leroy Anderson was a graduate student at Harvard he directed and crafted several clever arrangements for the Harvard Band. His work came to the attention of another music director in town, Arthur Fiedler of the Boston Pops. Over the next several years Fiedler premiered a number of his excellent miniatures such as The Typewriter, Sleigh Ride, and Blue Tango. His A Christmas Festival has become a favorite holiday medley, made up of Deck the Halls, God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen, Good King Wenceslas, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Silent Night, Jingle Bells, and O Come, All Ye Faithful.
