On Sunday, October 30, the Eastern Shore Wind Ensemble will present a free band concert with a theme of “Only in America.” Conducted by Dr. Keith Wharton, the program will begin at 4 p.m. at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Cross and High streets, Chestertown.
The program will open with “Joyance!” (2011) by James Swearingen, a prolific contemporary American composer for band. Thereafter the band will play Jeffrey Turner’s “For Honor, For Country” (2011), “Festival and Ballade for Winds” (2011) by Travis Weller, and “Bridgeview Overture for Band” (1986) by Ed Huckeby.
“In Honor of the Fallen” is a stirring and uplifting 2007 composition by Barry Milner, who wanted to express gratitude for those who have given their lives to protect the country and its freedoms, whether through military service or domestic heroism.
“Hoe Down” (from the music for the 1942 ballet “Rodeo”) by noted composer Aaron Copland (1900-1990) will offer a change of pace. Inspired by an Appalachian fiddler’s version of a lively square-dance tune, it is one of the best-known compositions by any American composer, having been used numerous times in movies and on television.
Following Herbert Fred’s contrasting “Ballad for Band” (1997), John Edmondson’s 1982 “Normandy Beach,” in the stately British concert-march style, celebrates the tide-turning June 1944 invasion during World War II. The following contrasting “Brass Time” (2003) by Wim Laseroms showcases the trumpets with sections of flashy rapid tonguing.
“Spoon River” is based on a folk-dance fiddle tune first noted in 1857 in Bradford, Illinois. In 1919 it was transcribed for piano (and later for orchestra) by Percy Grainger (1882-1961), who immigrated to the United States from Australia in 1914. He dedicated his transcription to ‘Edgar Lee Masters, poet of pioneers,’ whose “Spoon River Anthology” and later “New Spoon River” were highly popular at the time. In his variations on the original 16-bar theme, Grainger wrote that he aimed at preserving the pioneer blend of “sturdy persistence” and “lonesome wistfulness” in the tune.
The program will conclude with “Fidelity March,” written by Ohio native Karl L. King (1891-1971) at age 19 and published in a 1912 collection of pieces intended for use by the many town bands scattered throughout the country that consisted of mainly amateur musicians. During this period he himself played euphonium with a number of circus and town bands, but in 1920 (by then with wife and child) moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa, where for 51 years he was conductor of the municipal band. He continued to compose and publish there, having almost 200 marches to his credit as well as about 100 other pieces.
The ESWE is an all-ages community concert band formed to offer area instrumentalists an opportunity to continue or return to the pleasures of playing in a large ensemble. Generally following the public schools calendar, the band rehearses on Monday evenings in Chestertown. New members are welcome at any time, without audition or fee. For further information, call 410-778-2829 or 410-810-1834. The band’s next concert, on Dec. 18, will be a program of holiday music.
The band is supported by Kent County Arts Council grants and community donations.
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