PROGRAM SELECTIONS

Program order: 

Gavorkna Fanfare

Suite of Old American Dances

American Salute

Eternal Father Strong To Save

Hymn To The Fallen

Postcards

Armed Forces Salute

Battle Hymn Of The Republic

At A Jazz Funeral

America The Beautiful

Stars and Stripes Forever

Thank you to our conductors Mr. Matt Fuller, Ms. Amanda Irby, Dr. Ashley Floyd and Mr. Vaughn Irby

Program Notes About Each Piece You Will Hear Today...

Gavorkna Fanfare

Gavorkna Fanfare is a short, energetic fanfare for concert band by American composer Jack Stamp. It was commissioned by the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Wind Symphony and its conductor Eugene Corporon. At the time of the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, the Cincinnati Conservatory lead the band world with their extensive CD recording project that brought definitive recordings of band music to popularity. The title "Gavorkna" is a nonsense word invented by the composer.

The fanfare is in three brief sections. The opening section is a loud, fanfare-like statement. The second section is a more lyrical and reflective passage. The third section is a return to the fanfare-like opening, this time with a more triumphant and celebratory mood.

Suite of old American Dances

The first movement of Robert Russell Bennett's Suite of Old American Dances is a lively and energetic rendition of the Cake Walk, a dance that originated on southern plantations in the 19th century. The dance was a form of competition, with participants strutting and parading around the dance floor in elaborate costumes. The Cake Walk was eventually adopted by Americans and became a popular social dance in the early 20th century.

Bennett's setting of the Cake Walk is full of syncopated rhythms and catchy melodies. The opening theme is played by the woodwinds, and the brass instruments join in to create a festive atmosphere. The movement builds to a climax in the middle section, before returning to the opening theme for a lively conclusion.

The Cake Walk is a fun and upbeat dance that is sure to get your feet moving. Bennett's setting is a faithful and exciting rendition of this classic American dance.

American Salute

American Salute is a concert band composition by Morton Gould, first performed in 1943. The piece is a set of variations on the patriotic song "When Johnny Comes Marching Home."

Gould was born in New York City in 1913. He studied piano and composition at Juilliard, and began his career as a pianist and composer in the early 1930s. He wrote in a wide variety of styles, including jazz, classical, and film music.

American Salute was commissioned by the American Bandmasters Association for the 1943 National Bandmasters Convention. The piece was a critical and popular success, and it has become one of the “old chestnuts”for concert band.

The Introduction and Theme introduces the main melody of the piece, which is based on the song "When Johnny Comes Marching Home." The Variations section develops the melody through a series of different musical ideas. The Finale brings the piece to a triumphant conclusion.

American Salute is a powerful and patriotic work that celebrates the American spirit. The piece is full of energy and excitement, and it is sure to get the audience's attention. It is a fitting tribute to the United States of America, and it is a well-crafted and enjoyable work of music.

Eternal Father Strong To Save

"Eternal Father, Strong to Save" is a setting of the British Royal Navy's official hymn, which was written in 1860 by John Bacchus Dykes. The hymn is a prayer for God's protection and guidance for the Royal Navy.

Smith's setting of the hymn is a powerful and stirring work that captures the majesty and grandeur of the Royal Navy. The piece is scored for a full concert band, and it makes use of a wide range of musical techniques to create a sense of awe and reverence.

The piece begins with a slow, solemn introduction that sets the tone for the rest of the work. The hymn melody is then introduced by the woodwinds, and the brass instruments join in to create a rich and full sound. The piece builds to a climax in the middle section, before returning to a more subdued ending.

"Eternal Father, Strong to Save" is a beautiful and moving work that is sure to inspire and uplift the listener. It is a fitting tribute to the Royal Navy, and it is a well-crafted and enjoyable work of music.

Hymn To The Fallen

Hymn to the Fallen is a piece of music composed by John Williams for the 1998 film Saving Private Ryan. It is a slow, somber piece that is played during the closing credits of the film. The piece is a memorial to the soldiers who died in the Normandy Invasion of World War II.

The piece begins with a slow, low melody played by the strings. The melody is then joined by the woodwinds and brass, and the piece builds to a climax. The climax is followed by a quiet, reflective passage. The piece ends with a simple melody with a pondering taper.

The piece makes use of a wide range of musical techniques to create a sense of sadness, loss, and reverence. The piece is a beautiful moving work that hopefully touch your heart and soul.

It is a fitting memorial to the soldiers who died in the Normandy Invasion of World War II.

Salute to the Armed Forces

Salute to the Armed Forces is a collection songs to honor the men and women who serve to protect and defend our country. The songs are performed in this order:

• The Caisson Song (U.S. Army)
• Anchors Aweigh (U.S. Navy)
• The Marines' Hymn (U.S. Marine      Corps)
• Semper Paratus (U.S. Coast Guard)
• Sempra Supra (The US Space Force)
• The U.S. Air Force (U.S. Air      Force)

The Salute to the Armed Forces is a perfect way to show your support for our troops past and current…….thank you for your service. We ask that if you or a family member has served, please stand during the song of that branch.

Battle Hymn Of The Republic

The Battle Hymn of the Republic is a patriotic song that was written by Julia Ward Howe in 1861 during the American Civil War. The song is based on the tune of a popular camp-meeting song called "Say, Brothers, Will You Meet Us?" The lyrics of the Battle Hymn of the Republic are a powerful and moving expression of the ideals of the American Revolution and the Civil War.

The song begins with the line "Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord." This line is a reference to the biblical Book of Revelation, which describes the Second Coming of Christ. The song goes on to describe the Lord as a warrior who is "trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored." This image is a reference to the Old Testament Book of Isaiah, which describes God as a judge who will punish the wicked.

The song then turns to the theme of freedom. The lyrics say that the Lord is "loosening the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword." This image is a reference to the power of God to free the oppressed. The song goes on to say that the Lord is "marching on" to victory. This line is a reference to the belief that the Union will eventually win the Civil War.

The Battle Hymn of the Republic is a powerful and moving song that has been used to inspire and unite Americans for over 150 years. The song is a reminder of the ideals of the American Revolution and the Civil War, and it continues to be a source of inspiration for people who believe in freedom and justice.

Battle Hymn quickly became popular and was used by both Union and Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. It has been used in many other contexts since the Civil War, including the labor movement, the civil rights movement, and the women's suffrage movement.

The use of the “Battle Hymn” by UGA as a fight song goes back to the 1890s, when the band started playing “The Battle Hymn of The Republic” but switching “Glory, glory, hallelujah!” to “Glory, glory, Georgia!” In 1915, soon-to-be music chair Hugh Hodgson wrote the arrangement still used today.

The Battle Hymn of the Republic is a powerful and moving song that continues to inspire and unite Americans today. The song is a reminder of the ideals of the American Revolution and the Civil War, and it is a source of hope and inspiration for people who believe in freedom and justice.

At a Jazz Funeral

At a Jazz Funeral is a piece of music arranged by Jared Spears that depicts a traditional Dixieland funeral in old New Orleans. The piece begins with a slow, mournful processional to the cemetery based on the hymn, "Just A Closer Walk With Thee." The piece then builds in intensity and excitement as the band plays a lively version of the traditional jazz standard, "When The Saints Go Marching In." This would often be the music as the crowd returns from the cemetery on the way to the party. The piece ends with a surprise ending that is sure to bring a smile to your face.

The piece is scored for a full concert band and featuring  trumpet Jonathan Bagley, trombone Chris Plummer, and clarinet Mikayla Brown. 

At a Jazz Funeral is a beautiful and moving piece of music that captures the spirit of New Orleans and the joy of America’s true artform, jazz. The piece is a perfect way to celebrate the life of a loved one and to bring a smile to the faces of those who are grieving.

America the Beautiful

America the Beautiful is a patriotic song that was written by Katharine Lee Bates in 1893 after she saw the view of the Rocky Mountains from the top of Pikes Peak. The song is based on the tune of the hymn "O Mother Dear, Jerusalem" by Samuel Ward. The lyrics of America the Beautiful are a celebration of the beauty and diversity of the United States.

The song lyrics begin with the line "O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain, for purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain!" This line describes the natural beauty of the United States. The song goes on to describe the diversity of the country, saying that "God shed His grace on thee and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea." This line is a reminder that the United States is a nation of immigrants and that we are all united by our common humanity.

The song was officially adopted as a national song in 1931.

America the Beautiful is a beautiful and inspiring song that is a perfect way to celebrate the United States. It was officially adopted as a national song in 1931. The song is a reminder of the ideals that our country was founded on and of the beauty and diversity of our land.

Stars and Stripes Forever

Stars and Stripes Forever, composed by John Philip Sousa in 1896, is one of the most popular and recognizable marches in the world and is considered to be the unofficial national march of the United States.

Stars and Stripes Forever is a stirring and patriotic piece of music that is sure to get your blood pumping. It is a perfect way to celebrate this Memorial Day, or any other patriotic occasion.

Stars and Stripes Forever is a beautiful and inspiring piece of music that is a perfect way to celebrate the United States of America.