Program for February 7, 2016 First Baptist Church
Olympic Fanfare and Theme (1984) John Williams (1932), arr. (1984) James Curnow
Commissioned by the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, the composer wrote of this work, “The human spirit soars, and we strive for the best within us.”
O Magnum Mysterium (1994) Morton Lauridsen (1943), trans. (2003) H. Robert Reynolds
Composer Lauridsen crafted a choral setting of the text to “O great mystery,” a poem that prayerfully tells of the birth of the Christ child. This band version authentically reflects the mood and spirit of the choral original.
The Universal Judgment (ca. 1878) Camille De Nardis (1857–1951), arr. (1934) Antonio Cafarella
Camille De Nardis was the director of the conservatory at Naples. His tone poem musically represents Michelangelo’s fresco in the Sistine Chapel depicting the “Last Judgment,” the Christian eventuality at which it is to be determined who is blessed and who will face eternal torment.
NFL Films: Music of the Gridiron various, arr. Michael Brown
Up She Rises (1996) by Sam Spence
The Lineman (1996) by Sam Spence
Ramblin’ Man from Grambln’ (1970) by Sam Spence
Round Up (1996) by Sam Spence
Lombardi Trophy Reprise (2009) by David Robidoux
NFL Films is a New Jersey company that documents sports of all types including professional football. This medley contains some of the more popular music from the 1960s and the 1970s that was used in the company’s video products relating to the pigskin sport.
America, the Beautiful Samuel Augustus Ward 1847–1903), arr. (1958) Carmen Dragon
In 1893 Katherine Lee Bates wrote a poem originally entitled “Pikes Peak.” In 1910 her words were set to a hymn composed by church organist Samuel Ward and published under the title we know today. California composer and conductor Carmen Dragon, who scored films and conducted at the Hollywood Bowl, crafted this dramatic arrangement of America, the Beautiful for orchestra and for concert band.
Mars, the Bringer of War (1914) from The Planets, Op. 32 Gustav Holst (1874–1934), arr. (1923) George Smith
British composer Holst wrote a suite for orchestra, each movement being named after a planet in the solar system and each being imbued with Holst’s take on the character of the Roman deity represented. The first movement was the red planet: the hot, fierce, threatening Mars. The compositional techniques reflect those of Holst’s contemporaries, most notably, Stravinsky and Schoenberg.
Orange Bowl (1939) Henry Fillmore (1881–1956) arr. (2004) Robert Foster
Henry Fillmore was a member of a music publishing family, but was an independent sort, and regularly ran afoul of his parents’ approval. Biographer Paul Bierley noted that “Fillmore’s zest for life is evident across all of his marches.” In later life, Fillmore vacationed in and eventually retired to Florida. Deland High School band director John Heney, planning for his band’s trip to play in the Orange Bowl Stadium, invited Fillmore to write a march dedicated to the facility.
Commissioned by the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, the composer wrote of this work, “The human spirit soars, and we strive for the best within us.”
O Magnum Mysterium (1994) Morton Lauridsen (1943), trans. (2003) H. Robert Reynolds
Composer Lauridsen crafted a choral setting of the text to “O great mystery,” a poem that prayerfully tells of the birth of the Christ child. This band version authentically reflects the mood and spirit of the choral original.
The Universal Judgment (ca. 1878) Camille De Nardis (1857–1951), arr. (1934) Antonio Cafarella
Camille De Nardis was the director of the conservatory at Naples. His tone poem musically represents Michelangelo’s fresco in the Sistine Chapel depicting the “Last Judgment,” the Christian eventuality at which it is to be determined who is blessed and who will face eternal torment.
NFL Films: Music of the Gridiron various, arr. Michael Brown
Up She Rises (1996) by Sam Spence
The Lineman (1996) by Sam Spence
Ramblin’ Man from Grambln’ (1970) by Sam Spence
Round Up (1996) by Sam Spence
Lombardi Trophy Reprise (2009) by David Robidoux
NFL Films is a New Jersey company that documents sports of all types including professional football. This medley contains some of the more popular music from the 1960s and the 1970s that was used in the company’s video products relating to the pigskin sport.
America, the Beautiful Samuel Augustus Ward 1847–1903), arr. (1958) Carmen Dragon
In 1893 Katherine Lee Bates wrote a poem originally entitled “Pikes Peak.” In 1910 her words were set to a hymn composed by church organist Samuel Ward and published under the title we know today. California composer and conductor Carmen Dragon, who scored films and conducted at the Hollywood Bowl, crafted this dramatic arrangement of America, the Beautiful for orchestra and for concert band.
Mars, the Bringer of War (1914) from The Planets, Op. 32 Gustav Holst (1874–1934), arr. (1923) George Smith
British composer Holst wrote a suite for orchestra, each movement being named after a planet in the solar system and each being imbued with Holst’s take on the character of the Roman deity represented. The first movement was the red planet: the hot, fierce, threatening Mars. The compositional techniques reflect those of Holst’s contemporaries, most notably, Stravinsky and Schoenberg.
Orange Bowl (1939) Henry Fillmore (1881–1956) arr. (2004) Robert Foster
Henry Fillmore was a member of a music publishing family, but was an independent sort, and regularly ran afoul of his parents’ approval. Biographer Paul Bierley noted that “Fillmore’s zest for life is evident across all of his marches.” In later life, Fillmore vacationed in and eventually retired to Florida. Deland High School band director John Heney, planning for his band’s trip to play in the Orange Bowl Stadium, invited Fillmore to write a march dedicated to the facility.
