Spring into Summer 2024
Join us for a very special concert entitled “Songs of the Heart”
Date: Sunday, June 23, 2024 at 3:00pm
Galvin Middle School 525 Main Street Wakefield MA
Our program includes:
Overture for Winds – Charles Carter
Overture for Winds was given its title by the publishers. This three-part overture has remained Carter’s most popular composition for band. 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.
From Program Notes for Band
https://www.windrep.org/Overture_for_Winds_(Carter)
Original Suite – Gordon Jacob
This compelling classic comprises three contrasting movements. The first movement is a stately march, followed by the andante second movement, with the third movement providing a sprightly, upbeat finale.
From: https://www.jwpepper.com/Original-Suite/10034295.item
Heart Songs – David Maslanka
The title Heart Songs comes from the image of watering the tree of life with the blood of the heart. It is my hope with this music to provide a substantial and deeply-felt piece for young players. The second and third songs are based on melodies from the 371 Chorales by J.S. Bach.
This work was commissioned by the Harwood Junior High School Band of Bedford, Texas, conducted by Joe Green. It was premiered in April of 1998 by the Harwood High School Symphonic Band, conducted by Christopher Ferrell.
From: https://www.windrep.org/Heart_Songs
The Town Band – Erika Svanoe
The Town Band celebrates the spirit of the many community bands that exist across the United States. I have played in various community bands throughout my life, always appreciating that wherever I go there is usually a community of volunteer musicians that are playing for the joy of it and will welcome another into their ranks. Often there are specific pieces or styles of music played in these bands. These pieces tend to lend themselves well to outdoor summer concerts at the pavilion in the town square, or the band shell at the local park. This piece tries to capture some of these typical sounds and musical tropes, as well as highlight each section of the town band, giving each instrument family a moment to shine.
From: https://www.erikasvanoe.com/the-town-band.html
Hounds of Spring – Alfred Reed
The Hounds of Spring is a concert overture for concert band, written by the American composer, Alfred Reed in 1980.
Reed was inspired by the poem Atalanta in Calydon, by Victorian era English poet, Algernon Charles Swinburne, a recreation in modern English verse of an ancient Greek tragedy. According to Reed himself, the poem’s magical picture of young love in springtime, forms the basis for his musical setting in traditional three-part overture form. It was Reed’s desire to capture the dual elements of the poem – high-spirited youthful jauntiness and the innocence of tender love.
The Hounds of Spring was commissioned by, and dedicated to, the John L. Forster Secondary School Concert Band of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, and its director, Gerald Brown.[4] The world premiere was in Windsor on May 8, 1980, conducted by the composer, and has remained a staple of the wind band literature since.
From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hounds_of_Spring
American Triptych – Jim Curnow
An All American collection of songs – from “The Lovely Ohio” to “He’s Gone Away” to “Old Dan Tucker”. Written by James Curnow whos mini biography is listed below:
James Curnow (born 17 April 1943) is a composer of music for concert bands, brass bands, vocal and instrumental solos and ensembles. Curnow has also written arrangements of music pieces such as Trumpet Voluntary. He has taught at both public schools and on college and university levels.
From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Curnow
Summertime – George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward and Ira Gershwin
Summertime is an aria composed in 1934 by George Gershwin for the 1935 opera Porgy and Bess. The lyrics are by DuBose Heyward, the author of the novel Porgy on which the opera was based, and Ira Gershwin.
From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summertime_(George_Gershwin_song)
John Williams in Concert – Paul Lavender
From movies to television to important national events, the thrilling music of John Williams continues to inspire audiences everywhere, Here are some of his musical contributions, spotlighted in an impressive medley. Included are: Theme From E.T., The Mission (NBC News), Star Wars, Imperial March, Cantina Band, Olympic Spirit, and Theme From Jaws.
From: https://www.musicroom.com/john-williams-john-williams-in-concert-arr-paul-hl25923026