The Eastern Shore Wind Ensemble, the community concert band based in Chestertown, will give its fourth and last free concert of its 2013-2014 season on Sunday, May 18, with “For Those Who Serve” as the theme. The program, conducted by Dr. Keith Wharton, will begin at 4:00 p.m. at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Cross and High streets, in downtown Chestertown.
“Officer of the Day,” a brisk but melodic and enduringly popular march by R.B. Hall (1858-1907, sometimes called the New England March King), will open the program. The title refers to the military practice of designating an officer to represent the commanding officer during off-duty hours.
“Buccaneer Hornpipe,” by Chris Sharp, will evoke some aspects of the life of 17th-century pirates (sometimes privateers) in the Spanish Caribbean—their hornpipe dancing, enjoyment of a beautiful tropical day at sea, survival of a storm, and subsequent celebration.
Front row, L-R: Dianne Cimba, Marge Fallaw, Antoinette Smith, Carla Gerber, Mollie Jewell, Helen Noble, Brenda Lyons. Middle/2nd row, L-R: Monica Rosanova, Kathy Blyman, Sam Scalzo, George Boyd, Doug DeGraves, Kyle Webb, Glaeden Boyd Rear/3rd row, L-R: Joe Diamond, Brad Hollomon, Charlie Kallay, Ray Diedrichs, Christopher Harrison, David Knutson, Grace Kelley, Jim Pileggi Standing, L-R: Frank Gerber, Ashton Mooday, Sam Sessa, Keith Wharton (Director); Members not in photo: Peyton Chance, Taylor Schuman
Next the band will play an arrangement of “Adagio for Strings,” by American composer Samuel Barber (1910-1981). On the Last Night of the Proms (annual Promenade concerts) in London, an especially poignant orchestral performance on Sept. 15, 2001, conducted by American Leonard Slatkin, paid tribute to those who were killed in the 9/11 attacks, especially the first responders.
Englishman Gordon Jacob’s 1928 “An Original Suite (For Military Band),” a band classic, begins with a march, has a contrasting middle section reminiscent of the Irish folk tune “Londonderry Air,” and ends with a complex finale.
“Each Time You Tell Their Story,” with music by Samuel R. Hazo and poetry by his father, Samuel J. Hazo, was written to celebrate the 100th anniversary in 2003 of the New Mexico Military Institute’s band program and to honor former cadets who sacrificed their lives for their country and people.
Composer James Hosay intended his “Colonial Collage” to signify the importance of the North American colonial period, which led to the establishment of two great nations, the United States and Canada. Based on musical traditions of 17th and 18th-century Europe and America, the piece utilizes the three most prevalent forms of early American music—military music of the fife and drum, the country dance, and the sacred hymn.
The program will close with “Ascending,” a powerful 2013 memorial piece by Larry Clark. Wishing to not write a sad piece, he takes listeners through the stages of grief to an uplifting celebration of life and ascension of the spirit into eternity. As a vehicle, he uses a well-known hymn tune, “Fairest Lord Jesus” (also known as “Beautiful Savior”) in various ways.
Dr. Wharton has been the musical director of the band since its founding in 2001. Partially supported by the Kent County Arts Council, the band always welcomes new members of all ages, without audition or fee. Its new season of rehearsals and concerts will begin the Monday after Labor Day. For more information, call 410-778-2829 or 410-810-1834.
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