December 10 - Concert
Concert Band
Dashing Through The Snow arr. Saucedo
An upbeat piece based on the popular winter song “Jingle Bells.” Of course, it was not intended as a “Christmas song” at all, but rather a “sleighing song,” which was a popular genre at the time. “Jingle Bells” did not become wildly popular until the later 19th century, when it gained its exclusive association with the holiday season. (It’s certainly not a carol, and of course, it has nothing to do with Christmas per se.) With its imagery of the one-horse open sleigh “dashing through the snow,” the jingling harness bells, and the unspoken but likely promise of a roaring fire at home, perhaps some steaming chocolate or hot cider, and a comely companion, we continue to love “Jingle Bells” as a reminder of our “old-fashioned” New England Christmas and of the love and good cheer that come to us at this season.
Appalachian Air arr. Brown
Michael Brown (b. 1962) is a native of New Orleans, LA. He earned his M.M. In music theory from the University of Texas at Austin and his B.M. in Music Theory from Furman University (Greenville, SC). Michael is currently Staff Arranger for the United States Army Band (“Pershing's Own”) in Washington, DC, having served previously as Chief Arranger for The United States Military Academy Band at West Point, NY. His arrangements have been performed at the opening ceremonies of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, UT and Kennedy Center Honors in Washington. Michael draws upon his experience as a collage and high school band director, church orchestra director, and freelance trumpeter.
Based on the tune My Shepherd Will Supply My Need from the traditional work Walker's Southern Harmony, this sensitive and richly-scored setting provides a wonderful showcase for legato melodies and flowing counter lines. The piece builds gradually throughout, leading to the maestoso; emotional peak. From there it winds down to a beautifully calm and peaceful close.
Lincoln Legacy by Sweeney
Symphonic Band
Affirmation and Credo by C.T. Smith
Kings and Bells arr. Dawson
King Cotton by Sousa
“King Cotton” was a march composed at a time when cotton was “king” and extremely important to the country’s economy. The Sousa Band had been hired to perform for three weeks at the Cotton States and International Exposition of 1895 in Atlanta. The Exposition was turning into a huge financial disaster, but when word got around that Sousa and his band were to perform, attendance started to improve. Atlanta was grateful for the success bestowed upon their event by Sousa’s appearance. “King Cotton” was one of his personal favorites and has secured its place as one of his more popular marches.
Wind Ensemble
Frosty the Snowman arr. Cofield (featuring United Sound New Musicians)
"Frosty the Snowman" is a traditional Christmas song originally written by Walter Rollins and Steve Nelson. The song describes the fictional tale of a snowman who came to life from a magical hat found by the children who created him. Since its debut in the 1950s, it has continually been a classic Christmas tune year after year, and an animated film was created based off of the song in 1969. This song was selected to be the feature song for the United Sound New Musicians.
United Sound is an organization that provides students with special needs, or New Musicians, the opportunity to learn how to play an instrument with the help of peer mentors. Olathe South started their chapter of United Sound in 2016, and it has been growing ever since. Not only do the New Musicians get to learn how to play an instrument and perform in large ensemble groups, but they also get the chance to become involved in an engaging social environment that they otherwise might not get the opportunity to participate in. The main goal of United Sound is to provide all students the chance to have musical experiences that will allow them to try something new, make new friends, and even change their lives.
Fanfare and Flourishes for a Festive Occasion by Curnow
Based on Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s (1634-1704) “Te Deum”, Fanfare and Flourishes for a Festive Occasion was commissioned for the 1991 European Brass Band Championships held in Rotterdam, Holland. The premiere performance was given by the Black Dyke Mills Brass Band during the Gala Concert. The symphonic band version was commissioned by the Alfred M. Barbe High School Symphonic Band, Lake Charles, Louisiana, Steve Hand, Conductor. The Te Deum, (the original song that was Fanfare and Flourishes was based on), dates from about 1692, and was probably written for the great Jesuit church of St. Paul in Rue St. Antoine, when Marc-Antoine Charpentier was Maitre de Musique there. Its brilliance and powerful dramatic impact suggest that it must have been written in celebration of some special occasion, such as the recent French victory at Steinkerque on August 3rd, 1692.
The powerful effect of the Te Deum is achieved by a variety of means. Firstly, Charpentier uses a much larger instrumental band than any previous French composer of church music. Secondly, he exploits to its fullest advantage the customary Baroque technique of contrasting full orchestral and choral forces with solo voices accompanied by just a few instruments. Thirdly, and perhaps most significantly, Charpentier has a remarkable ability to fuse the conflicting elements of drama and devotion into a unified whole, coupled with an instinctive feel for ceremonial brilliance. These are the qualities that strike one most in this wonderful work, and it seems extraordinary that it is not more widely performed.
Swirling Prisms by Balmages
The inspiration behind this piece came from the abstract concept of optical prisms spinning freely in space while reflecting light in numerous directions. The music depicts the bending, reflecting and dispersing of light into its component colors. The challenge was to create a sense of each prism affecting late and countless ways, while also applying a certain “harmony“ between the light and the prisms. To help tie everything together, further inspiration was taken from impressionism Movement in art, which among other things, places emphasis on the changing characteristics of light. This directly into the overall impressionistic quality of the music and that there is a strong focus on ho movement in art, which among other things, places emphasis on the changing characteristics of light. This directly into the overall impressionistic quality of the music and that there’s a strong focus on harmony, Texture and orchestration. There are a variety of techniques used throughout the piece, Including crotales dipped in water. They should be suspended by a string in lowered into the water after being struck. Certain passages requires the crotales to only be lowered a little To create a pitch bend a half step while other passages require a bend of a whole step. There are two marimba parts while they can certainly be played buy two players using the same marimba or, on two separate marimbas. Five crystal glasses are used toward the end of the piece and must be covered by two players. It is suggested to have one player on B flat and a separate player on E flat. If the crystal glasses aren’t projecting enough, whirly tubes are another option. The last measure should resonate to silence.
An American Christmas arr. R.W. Smith
Robert W. Smith (b. 1958) is one of the most popular and prolific composers in America today. He has over 600 publications in print with the majority composed and arranged through his long association with Warner Bros. Publications and the Belwin catalog.
Mr. Smith’s credits include many compositions and productions in all areas of the music field. His original works for winds and percussion have been programmed by countless military, university, high school, and middle school bands throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, South America and Asia. His Symphony #1 (The Divine Comedy), Symphony #2 (The Odyssey), Symphony #3 (Don Quixote), Inchon and Africa: Ceremony, Song and Ritual have received worldwide critical acclaim. His educational compositions such as The Tempest, Encanto, and The Great Locomotive Chase have become standards for developing bands throughout the world.
Although Western European Immigrants brought the Christmas tradition to the United States, the American popular culture has had a unique effect on this annual celebration. It is in this spirit that R.W. Smith merges the holiday musical tradition with truly American styles. Mr. Smith has woven three traditional holiday melodies with the unique American musical styles. Beginning with quotes using John Philip Sousa’s immortal march style, the piece transitions into a melody from The Nutcracker, which is a tradition throughout the U.S. The piece then transforms into American Jazz. The style of rock follows with the traditional holiday melody that Mr. Smith calls “Rock Ye Merry Gentlemen.” Finally, the sounds of John Philip Sousa return with a careful pairing of “The Stars and Stripes Forever” and “Jingle Bells,” which Mr. Smith has titled “Jingle Bells Forever.”
Jazz Band
Santa Baby by Javits, Springer, & Springer/arr. Berry
"Santa Baby" is a 1953 Christmas song written by Joan Javits (the niece of Senator Jacob K. Javits) and Philip Springer, sung originally by Eartha Kitt. The song is a tongue-in-cheek look at a Christmas list addressed to Santa Claus by a woman who wants extravagant gifts such as sables, yachts, and decorations from Tiffany's.The song has been covered by a number of artists, including Madonna in 1987, and Kylie Minogue, whose version was released in 2000 originally as a B-side to her UK number 10 song "Please Stay". Minogue's version of the track eventually peaked at number 38 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming her fiftieth UK top forty single and earning a Silver certification denoting sales and streams of 200,000 units.This is a big band arrangement of the popular Christmas song, and features the saxophone section (as all songs should).
God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen arr. Clark
God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen is an English traditional Christmas carol. It is in the Roxburghe Collection, and is listed as no. 394 in the Roud Folk Song Index. It is also known as Tidings of Comfort and Joy, and by variant incipits as Come All You Worthy Gentlemen; God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen; God Rest Ye, Merry Christians; or God Rest You Merry People All. It is one of the oldest extant carols, dated to the 16th century or earlier. The earliest known printed edition of the carol is in a broadsheet dated to c. 1760. The traditional English melody is in the minor mode; the earliest printed edition of the melody appears to be in a parody, in the 1829 Facetiae of William Hone. It had been traditional and associated with the carol since at least the mid-18th century, when it was recorded by James Nares under the title "The old Christmas Carol". This arrangement is a jazzy arrangement for big band and features the saxophone section as well as the bassist and has an open solo section.
This piece was arranged by Paul Clark. He has taught instrumental music at Center Point-Urbana High School for thirty years. He holds a B.A in music education from the university of Northern Iowa, where he gained valuable experience in the school’s distinguished jazz program. He is a member of ASCAP and many other professional organizations, and is in frequent demand as an adjudicator and clinician.
Dashing Through The Snow arr. Saucedo
An upbeat piece based on the popular winter song “Jingle Bells.” Of course, it was not intended as a “Christmas song” at all, but rather a “sleighing song,” which was a popular genre at the time. “Jingle Bells” did not become wildly popular until the later 19th century, when it gained its exclusive association with the holiday season. (It’s certainly not a carol, and of course, it has nothing to do with Christmas per se.) With its imagery of the one-horse open sleigh “dashing through the snow,” the jingling harness bells, and the unspoken but likely promise of a roaring fire at home, perhaps some steaming chocolate or hot cider, and a comely companion, we continue to love “Jingle Bells” as a reminder of our “old-fashioned” New England Christmas and of the love and good cheer that come to us at this season.
Appalachian Air arr. Brown
Michael Brown (b. 1962) is a native of New Orleans, LA. He earned his M.M. In music theory from the University of Texas at Austin and his B.M. in Music Theory from Furman University (Greenville, SC). Michael is currently Staff Arranger for the United States Army Band (“Pershing's Own”) in Washington, DC, having served previously as Chief Arranger for The United States Military Academy Band at West Point, NY. His arrangements have been performed at the opening ceremonies of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, UT and Kennedy Center Honors in Washington. Michael draws upon his experience as a collage and high school band director, church orchestra director, and freelance trumpeter.
Based on the tune My Shepherd Will Supply My Need from the traditional work Walker's Southern Harmony, this sensitive and richly-scored setting provides a wonderful showcase for legato melodies and flowing counter lines. The piece builds gradually throughout, leading to the maestoso; emotional peak. From there it winds down to a beautifully calm and peaceful close.
Lincoln Legacy by Sweeney
Symphonic Band
Affirmation and Credo by C.T. Smith
Kings and Bells arr. Dawson
King Cotton by Sousa
“King Cotton” was a march composed at a time when cotton was “king” and extremely important to the country’s economy. The Sousa Band had been hired to perform for three weeks at the Cotton States and International Exposition of 1895 in Atlanta. The Exposition was turning into a huge financial disaster, but when word got around that Sousa and his band were to perform, attendance started to improve. Atlanta was grateful for the success bestowed upon their event by Sousa’s appearance. “King Cotton” was one of his personal favorites and has secured its place as one of his more popular marches.
Wind Ensemble
Frosty the Snowman arr. Cofield (featuring United Sound New Musicians)
"Frosty the Snowman" is a traditional Christmas song originally written by Walter Rollins and Steve Nelson. The song describes the fictional tale of a snowman who came to life from a magical hat found by the children who created him. Since its debut in the 1950s, it has continually been a classic Christmas tune year after year, and an animated film was created based off of the song in 1969. This song was selected to be the feature song for the United Sound New Musicians.
United Sound is an organization that provides students with special needs, or New Musicians, the opportunity to learn how to play an instrument with the help of peer mentors. Olathe South started their chapter of United Sound in 2016, and it has been growing ever since. Not only do the New Musicians get to learn how to play an instrument and perform in large ensemble groups, but they also get the chance to become involved in an engaging social environment that they otherwise might not get the opportunity to participate in. The main goal of United Sound is to provide all students the chance to have musical experiences that will allow them to try something new, make new friends, and even change their lives.
Fanfare and Flourishes for a Festive Occasion by Curnow
Based on Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s (1634-1704) “Te Deum”, Fanfare and Flourishes for a Festive Occasion was commissioned for the 1991 European Brass Band Championships held in Rotterdam, Holland. The premiere performance was given by the Black Dyke Mills Brass Band during the Gala Concert. The symphonic band version was commissioned by the Alfred M. Barbe High School Symphonic Band, Lake Charles, Louisiana, Steve Hand, Conductor. The Te Deum, (the original song that was Fanfare and Flourishes was based on), dates from about 1692, and was probably written for the great Jesuit church of St. Paul in Rue St. Antoine, when Marc-Antoine Charpentier was Maitre de Musique there. Its brilliance and powerful dramatic impact suggest that it must have been written in celebration of some special occasion, such as the recent French victory at Steinkerque on August 3rd, 1692.
The powerful effect of the Te Deum is achieved by a variety of means. Firstly, Charpentier uses a much larger instrumental band than any previous French composer of church music. Secondly, he exploits to its fullest advantage the customary Baroque technique of contrasting full orchestral and choral forces with solo voices accompanied by just a few instruments. Thirdly, and perhaps most significantly, Charpentier has a remarkable ability to fuse the conflicting elements of drama and devotion into a unified whole, coupled with an instinctive feel for ceremonial brilliance. These are the qualities that strike one most in this wonderful work, and it seems extraordinary that it is not more widely performed.
Swirling Prisms by Balmages
The inspiration behind this piece came from the abstract concept of optical prisms spinning freely in space while reflecting light in numerous directions. The music depicts the bending, reflecting and dispersing of light into its component colors. The challenge was to create a sense of each prism affecting late and countless ways, while also applying a certain “harmony“ between the light and the prisms. To help tie everything together, further inspiration was taken from impressionism Movement in art, which among other things, places emphasis on the changing characteristics of light. This directly into the overall impressionistic quality of the music and that there is a strong focus on ho movement in art, which among other things, places emphasis on the changing characteristics of light. This directly into the overall impressionistic quality of the music and that there’s a strong focus on harmony, Texture and orchestration. There are a variety of techniques used throughout the piece, Including crotales dipped in water. They should be suspended by a string in lowered into the water after being struck. Certain passages requires the crotales to only be lowered a little To create a pitch bend a half step while other passages require a bend of a whole step. There are two marimba parts while they can certainly be played buy two players using the same marimba or, on two separate marimbas. Five crystal glasses are used toward the end of the piece and must be covered by two players. It is suggested to have one player on B flat and a separate player on E flat. If the crystal glasses aren’t projecting enough, whirly tubes are another option. The last measure should resonate to silence.
An American Christmas arr. R.W. Smith
Robert W. Smith (b. 1958) is one of the most popular and prolific composers in America today. He has over 600 publications in print with the majority composed and arranged through his long association with Warner Bros. Publications and the Belwin catalog.
Mr. Smith’s credits include many compositions and productions in all areas of the music field. His original works for winds and percussion have been programmed by countless military, university, high school, and middle school bands throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, South America and Asia. His Symphony #1 (The Divine Comedy), Symphony #2 (The Odyssey), Symphony #3 (Don Quixote), Inchon and Africa: Ceremony, Song and Ritual have received worldwide critical acclaim. His educational compositions such as The Tempest, Encanto, and The Great Locomotive Chase have become standards for developing bands throughout the world.
Although Western European Immigrants brought the Christmas tradition to the United States, the American popular culture has had a unique effect on this annual celebration. It is in this spirit that R.W. Smith merges the holiday musical tradition with truly American styles. Mr. Smith has woven three traditional holiday melodies with the unique American musical styles. Beginning with quotes using John Philip Sousa’s immortal march style, the piece transitions into a melody from The Nutcracker, which is a tradition throughout the U.S. The piece then transforms into American Jazz. The style of rock follows with the traditional holiday melody that Mr. Smith calls “Rock Ye Merry Gentlemen.” Finally, the sounds of John Philip Sousa return with a careful pairing of “The Stars and Stripes Forever” and “Jingle Bells,” which Mr. Smith has titled “Jingle Bells Forever.”
Jazz Band
Santa Baby by Javits, Springer, & Springer/arr. Berry
"Santa Baby" is a 1953 Christmas song written by Joan Javits (the niece of Senator Jacob K. Javits) and Philip Springer, sung originally by Eartha Kitt. The song is a tongue-in-cheek look at a Christmas list addressed to Santa Claus by a woman who wants extravagant gifts such as sables, yachts, and decorations from Tiffany's.The song has been covered by a number of artists, including Madonna in 1987, and Kylie Minogue, whose version was released in 2000 originally as a B-side to her UK number 10 song "Please Stay". Minogue's version of the track eventually peaked at number 38 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming her fiftieth UK top forty single and earning a Silver certification denoting sales and streams of 200,000 units.This is a big band arrangement of the popular Christmas song, and features the saxophone section (as all songs should).
God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen arr. Clark
God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen is an English traditional Christmas carol. It is in the Roxburghe Collection, and is listed as no. 394 in the Roud Folk Song Index. It is also known as Tidings of Comfort and Joy, and by variant incipits as Come All You Worthy Gentlemen; God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen; God Rest Ye, Merry Christians; or God Rest You Merry People All. It is one of the oldest extant carols, dated to the 16th century or earlier. The earliest known printed edition of the carol is in a broadsheet dated to c. 1760. The traditional English melody is in the minor mode; the earliest printed edition of the melody appears to be in a parody, in the 1829 Facetiae of William Hone. It had been traditional and associated with the carol since at least the mid-18th century, when it was recorded by James Nares under the title "The old Christmas Carol". This arrangement is a jazzy arrangement for big band and features the saxophone section as well as the bassist and has an open solo section.
This piece was arranged by Paul Clark. He has taught instrumental music at Center Point-Urbana High School for thirty years. He holds a B.A in music education from the university of Northern Iowa, where he gained valuable experience in the school’s distinguished jazz program. He is a member of ASCAP and many other professional organizations, and is in frequent demand as an adjudicator and clinician.
October 9 - Fall Concert
Concert Band
Tailspin! by Rob Romeyn (b.1961)
A stellar composition of energy and motion that opens with an explosion of percussion. Pyramids of sound accentuate quickly moving lines that almost leap from the page with unbridled power. Like a shot of adrenaline in musical form, it's a sure way to get the pulse racing!
Rhythm of The Winds by Frank Erickson (1923-1996)
With a great interplay of rhythms Rhythm of The Winds is both challenging and fun to listen to! The alternation of two rhythms---one syncopated and the other an after-beat pattern---form the rhythmic foundation for the work’s theme. This rhythmic pattern has become a staple for many contemporary band compositions.
Jazz Band
Cantaloupe Island by Herbie Hancock (b. 1940)
“Cantaloupe Island” is a jazz standard composed by Herbie Hancock and recorded for his 1964 album Empyrean Isles during his early years as one of the members of Miles Davis’ 1960s quintet. The musicians for the original 1964 recording were: Hancock (piano), Freddie Hubbard (cornet), Ron Carter (bass) and Tony Williams (drums).
One on One by Lennie Niehaus (b. 1929)
One on One is a fun swing chart that is sure to get your foot tapping. The material is well developed and provides plenty of opportunity for various players and sections to share in the melodic role. A swinging shout chorus utilizes effective rhythmic material that brings the chart to a rousing finish!
Tailspin! by Rob Romeyn (b.1961)
A stellar composition of energy and motion that opens with an explosion of percussion. Pyramids of sound accentuate quickly moving lines that almost leap from the page with unbridled power. Like a shot of adrenaline in musical form, it's a sure way to get the pulse racing!
Rhythm of The Winds by Frank Erickson (1923-1996)
With a great interplay of rhythms Rhythm of The Winds is both challenging and fun to listen to! The alternation of two rhythms---one syncopated and the other an after-beat pattern---form the rhythmic foundation for the work’s theme. This rhythmic pattern has become a staple for many contemporary band compositions.
Jazz Band
Cantaloupe Island by Herbie Hancock (b. 1940)
“Cantaloupe Island” is a jazz standard composed by Herbie Hancock and recorded for his 1964 album Empyrean Isles during his early years as one of the members of Miles Davis’ 1960s quintet. The musicians for the original 1964 recording were: Hancock (piano), Freddie Hubbard (cornet), Ron Carter (bass) and Tony Williams (drums).
One on One by Lennie Niehaus (b. 1929)
One on One is a fun swing chart that is sure to get your foot tapping. The material is well developed and provides plenty of opportunity for various players and sections to share in the melodic role. A swinging shout chorus utilizes effective rhythmic material that brings the chart to a rousing finish!
