Season 32, Concert 2 November 14, 2014 Salute to Our Nation's Veterans
2014-15 CONTRIBUTORS
The Ridgewood Concert Band gratefully acknowledges the support of our donors and subscribers whose generous support makes these programs possible.
BENEFACTOR ($3,000 and above) Michael J. Kokola Lindsay B. Gallagher Mary & Boyd Lowry Thomas & Victoria Price Cheryl & James Mallen Konica Minolta Business Solutions Judith & David Maron Merrill Lynch Wealth Management/ Joseph & Deborah Marsicovete Bank of America Corp. Jerrold, Mary A. & Leah Meyer Irene Montella PATRON ($2,000 to $2,999) Michelle & Michael Morris Carolyn & Howard Crumb Sylvia Nodini Friends in support of new music Mary & Michael Nussear Marcella Phelan SPONSOR ($1,000 to $1,999) Jean Roughgarden Khan & Eva Smith Deloss Schertz & Rose Kraybill Emilio & Maria Uriarte Francis H. Schott Rachel Schulman SUPPORTER ($500 to $999) Richard & Karen Summers Barbara Abney Bolger Kathleen & Harold Sylvester Darel & Michael DePompeo Nancy E. Zweil Lawrence & Donna Friedman, in support of the PVH Corporation Ridgewood Concert Band Society Joel Kolk FRIEND ($1 to $99) Charles Lachman & Emily Bliss-Lachman Virginia Baird Keith Mogerley Eileen Beaumel Randy F. Reveley Linda Blacken John & Marilyn Wagner Maria J. Bush Judith Widicus Vincent & Marianne DeBea Patricia & Frederick Yosca Michelle & James Dugan Blue Moon Cafe Sue & Ira Emanuel Vicki Fiore, M.D. ASSOCIATE ($250 to $499) Les & Sue Fox John G. Bolger Kenneth Freiband John Butler Katherine Grasso Paul Goldberg Richard F. Hahn Paul & Carolyn Kirby Richard & Katherine Innis Dorothy S. Neff Janet Johnston In memory of Acton E. Ostling Donald & Gail Landzettel Kathleen & John J. Palatucci Linda Maguire Carol & Neil Sheehan Desidor J. Maik BNY Mellon Community Partnership Walter & Diana Perog Costco of Hackensack Samantha Price-Koontz Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC. Phyllis Ronco Plymouth Rock Foundation Albert W. Schagen Whole Foods of Ridgewood Edward J. Schlamp Beth Seavers AFFILIATE ($100 to $249) Nancy Short Richard Aumiller Virginia Sirinides Kenneth & Sarina Bronfin David Sternberg David & Jacalyn Bychek Alexander & Deborah Taylor James Demes Jon Thurlow Sally Fillmore William D. & Helen L. Thurlow Capt. Kenneth Force Richard & Jessie VerHage Frank & Loretta Healey Mark & Andrea Zettler Robert Hennings, Jr. Tito’s Burritos of Ridgewood Lois Hicks-Wozniak Martha & Jane Huff If you are a recent subscriber or donor, we may Marie Kane have received your name too late to include in this Jill Keller program and we apologize for that, but you will be Fred & Joan Knapp in subsequent programs. Thank you.
Printing of this program generously underwritten by Konica Minolta Business Solutions. Dr. Christian Wilhjelm, Music Director
______
Funding has been made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, through grant funds administered by the Bergen County
Department of Parks, Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs. Salute to Our Nation's ______
The Ridgewood Concert Band would like to thank all of Veterans the many volunteers who have made this concert possible. FEATURED GUEST CONDUCTOR
______Colonel Arnald D. Gabriel, Conductor Emeritus,
The United States Air Force Band
The Ridgewood Concert Band would like to give a FEATURED GUEST SOLOIST special “thank you” to the Pascack Valley Regional Richard Summers, Clarinet
High School District. The Pascack Hills High PRELUDE PERFORMANCE - 7:30 PM School Band room is our weekly rehearsal site. Mahwah High School Symphonic Band Jeffrey Bittner, Director ______
Friday, November 14, 2014 - 8:00 PM For additional RCB information, please West Side Presbyterian Church, Ridgewood, NJ visit our website or scan our QR code: Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. is a Proud Sponsor of WWW.RIDGEWOODBAND.ORG the Ridgewood Concert Band
RIDGEWOOD CONCERT BAND BOARD OF TRUSTEES
PRESIDENT: Mark Zettler VICE PRESIDENT: John Wagner RECORDING SECRETARY: Annette Lieb CORRESPONDING SECRETARY: Mary Nussear TREASURER: Neil Sheehan
MEMBERS AT LARGE: Noreen Baer, Annette Baron, John Butler, Mike DePompeo, Lawrence Friedman, Carolyn Kirby, Kathleen Peters, Philip Peters, Thomas P. Price, Deloss Schertz & Beth Seavers
UPCOMING RCB CONCERTS
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2014 Heavenly Bands
SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015 The Lincoln Legacy
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015: The Annual Generations Concert
For additional RCB information, please visit our website or scan our QR code: WWW.RIDGEWOODBAND.ORG
Col. Arnald D. Gabriel retired from the United States Air Force in 1985 following a distinguished 36 year military career, at which time he was awarded his third Legion of Merit for his service to the United States Air Force and to music education throughout the country. He served as Commander/Conductor of the internationally renowned U.S. Air Force Band, Symphony Orchestra, and Singing Sergeants from 1964 to 1985. In 1990, he was named the first Conductor Emeritus of the USAF Band at a special concert held at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, DC. Col. Gabriel served on the faculty of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, from 1985 to 1995, as Conductor of the GMU Symphony Orchestra and as Chairman, Department of Music for eight of those years. In recognition of his ten years service to the university, he was named Professor Emeritus of Music.
A combat machine gunner with the United States Army’s famed 29th Infantry Division in Europe during WW II, Gabriel received two awards of the Bronze Star Medal, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the French Croix de Guerre. Following his separation from the Army in 1946, Gabriel enrolled in Ithaca College, where he earned both Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Music Education. In 1989, his alma mater conferred upon him an Honorary Doctor of Music degree and in 1997, he was further honored with its Lifetime Achievement Award. He is also listed in the International Who ‘s Who in Music, 7th edition. Col. Gabriel’s professional honors include the very first Citation of Excellence awarded by the National Band Association, the Mid-West National Band and Orchestra Clinic’s Gold Medal of Honor and its Distinguished Service to Music Award, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia’s New Millennium Lifetime Achievement Award and its rarely presented National Citation for “significant contributions to music in America”, Kappa Kappa Psi’s Distinguished Service to Music Award, Phi Beta Mu’s Outstanding Contribution to Bands Award, and the St. Cecilia Award from the University of Notre Dame.
Col. Gabriel was inducted into the National Band Association Hall of Fame of Distinguished Band Conductors, becoming the youngest person ever to have received this honor, and was an inaugural inductee to the Distinguished Alumni Wall of Fame of Cortland High School in Cortland, New York. He is also a Past President of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association. In 2008, the US Air Force Band dedicated the Arnald D. Gabriel Hall in his honor, and Bands of America inducted Col Gabriel into its Hall of Fame. Col. Gabriel has performed in all 50 of the United States and in 50 countries around the world.
In addition to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, among the hundreds of major orchestras and bands he has conducted are the Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, San Antonio, Memphis, Florida, Glendale (California), Green Bay (Wisconsin), York and Williamsport (Pennsylvania), Fairfax (Virginia), Puerto Rico, and Tatui Sao Paulo (Brazil), symphony orchestras, the Carabiniere Band and the Air Force Band (Italy), the Band of the Royal Netherlands Marines, the Royal Hellenic Band (Greece), the Staff Music Corps (Bonn, Germany), the National Band of the Canadian Forces (Ottawa), The Dallas Wind Symphony, the Gamagori Band and the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra (Japan).
Col. Gabriel was named Music Director Emeritus of the McLean (VA) Orchestra for his outstanding leadership from 1986 to 2002. Col. Gabriel continues to appear as clinician at major state, regional, and university music festivals and guest conducts outstanding school, college, municipal, and military bands as well as orchestras around the world.
Richard Summers is a music educator, performer, arranger, conductor, and composer. He grew up in Wheeling WV, became interested in a musical career, and attended the University of Kentucky for two years under a full scholarship. He moved to the NY/NJ area when he was accepted as a clarinetist and saxophonist of the United States Military Academy Band at West Point from 1972-1975. Following his military career, he attended Juilliard, where he received his BM and MM degrees in music performance on clarinet under Leon Russianoff and Joseph Allard. Newly retired from NJ public schools, Mr. Summers taught instrumental music for 32 years in Kinnelon and Pequannock, NJ and served as adjunct professor for concert band, clarinet, and woodwinds at William Paterson University, where he established the Summer Honors Band. He has conducted the North Jersey Area High School and Junior Bands and NJ Region I Intermediate and Junior Bands and also served as president for NJ Area Band.
As a performer on clarinet, saxophone, and other woodwind instruments, Mr. Summers has performed as a member of the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, Lexington Philharmonic, New Jersey Pops Orchestra, The Orchestra at William Paterson, The New Music Ensemble, The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Adelphi Chamber Orchestra, North Jersey Philharmonic, and has been principal clarinetist, soloist, assistant conductor, personnel manager, and arranger with the Ridgewood Concert Band for over 25 years. Throughout his career, he has been a featured performer both locally and internationally, playing solo works across the US and Europe.
Mr. Summers has recently arranged and composed music that has been published for Bandworks Publications, and Carl Fisher Publications, and is hoping to write and publish more music in the future. Mr. Summers resides in West Milford, NJ and has a musical family of his own. His wife Karen and his son Stephen are also clarinetists and perform together in area music ensembles like the Ridgewood Concert Band.
Americans We – Henry Fillmore (1881-1956). Henry Fillmore is best known as a prolific composer and arranger of music for wind band. His free spirit and love of “fun music” is evident across the majority of his works and, accordingly, his best marches are notable for their intense energy, bravado, and technical challenge. Americans We forms one third of that great triad of marches that are the basis of our patriotic inspiration. The three marches include Fillmore’s Americans We, Bagley’s National Emblem, and Sousa’s The Stars and Stripes Forever. The composer decided on the title of his most famous march because he wanted the public to know this march was for “all of us.”
Chorale and Shaker Dance – John P. Zdechlik (b. 1937) is a composition that combines a simple chorale theme, introduced by the woodwinds, with variations of the well known Shaker hymn “Simple Gifts.” There is a progression of instrumental timbres and chord textures as the themes alternate and commingle. The brass and woodwinds exchange the themes as time signatures cause an increase in both tempo and intensity. Sustained brass sections play the chorale with woodwinds performing a fiery obbligato based on the Shaker hymn as the development peaks. A demanding timpani part punctuates the dramatic ending.
Sabre and Spurs – John Philip Sousa (1854-1932). It was in 1917, at the age of 62, and with his country embroiled in World War I, that Sousa joined the Naval Reserve and was given the rank of lieutenant. It was during this time that Sousa turned out this patriotic march, Sabre and Spurs, dedicated to the 311th Cavalry of the United States Army. The work opens with a jaunty march tune whose brightly lit manner is highlighted by Sousa's characteristic upper-range sonorities. The music is joyous, giving no hint of war and no sign of strife in its bouncy gait. A variant of the main theme appears midway through, bringing with it a mellower, more subdued character. Gradually, however, the music grows bigger and more festive, as the work triumphantly ends.
Hymn to the Fallen – John Williams (b. 1932). There is little doubt of the impact of John Williams’ music on the entertainment world. His film music, including a more than 20-year collaboration with director Steven Spielberg, has been an integral part of some of the film industry’s finest achievements. John William’s unique talent and respected artistry have made his film scores a significant and vital part of our American culture. “Saving Private Ryan” is certainly one of this collaboration’s most powerful efforts. The cumulative effect of great photography and splendid performances contained in the film combine to produce a jolting emotional impact, particularly in the closing moments of the movie. The Hymn to the Fallen is John Williams’ expression of that impact and is heard only over the closing credits of the film. The quiet, simply placed melody takes the audience to the depths of emotion when respecting the tribute to those who gave the supreme sacrifice in service to our nation.
Program Notes compiled by Marcie Phelan
The RCB would like to thank the Color Guard of American Legion Post 153 - Park Ridge, NJ: Captain Jim Mescher. The RCB would also like to thank the Signal Department of Ridgewood for their generous loan of the American flag for tonight's concert. PROGRAM NOTES Dr. Christian Wilhjelm, conductor, professional musician and educator, has been the Ridgewood Concert Band’s The Gallant Seventh – John Philip Sousa (1854-1932) was Sousa’s one hundred first Musical Director since it was founded in 1983. He was also march, and he premiered it at a gala concert at the old New York Hippodrome Music Director of the renowned Goldman Memorial Band (predecessor of today’s Radio City Music Hall) in 1922. Sousa augmented his band at in New York City. He regularly conducts the metropolitan this first performance by adding the band of the Seventh Regiment of NY, and featured area’s leading professional ensembles such as the Norwalk their field music unit in the regimental strains of the march as well. The Seventh Symphony. As a French horn player, he has performed Regiment of NY has long been known for its gallantry in the service of our country, under the world’s great conductors including Leonard and Sousa’s contribution to this recognition produced one of his very best works in the Bernstein, Seiji Ozawa, Sir Colin Davis and Arthur Fiedler. march form. This is the March King at his regimental best, in a style he frequently displayed from Semper Fideles onward. As a professional musician, Dr. Wilhjelm has played the Bullets and Bayonets – John Philip Sousa (1854-1932). Sousa marches often bear a French horn with the Boston Symphony, the Boston Pops dedication to people, places, or events. This march is no exception and bears the and, as a principal, with the Boston Ballet Orchestra, the Boston Opera Orchestra dedication "To the officers and men of the U.S. Infantry." When written in 1918, the and the Richmond Symphony. An honors graduate of the New England subjects of the title, Bullets and Bayonets, were a frightening reality to his soldier- Conservatory, he received his doctorate from Columbia University in 1998. He has countrymen then engaged in the struggle raging on the western front in World War I. been the band director at Pascack Hills High School since 1984. Dr. Wilhjelm was Frederick Fennell's editing has preserved the scoring of the original, with its musical recently honored by his election to American Bandmasters Association. He is the ideas, deceivingly simple yet solid and immediately rewarding to the performer and 2012 recipient of the Outstanding Conductor Award presented by the Association listener. Sousa's fondness for the sound of drum sticks "on the hoop" of wooden snare of Concert Bands. Dr Wilhjelm is the state chair for the National Band Association. and field drums is preserved within the trio. In 2013, he was elected to the Board of Directors for the Association of Concert
Winding Up/Winding Down – Michael Gandolfi (b. 1956) is a serenade for clarinet Bands. and wind ensemble in a single, ten-minute movement. The opening musical announcement is a transcription of an audio crosswalk signal that the composer encountered as an inspiration for the work’s theme. The different sections of the The Ridgewood Concert Band (RCB), in its 32nd season, is one of the leading wind serenade feature the solo clarinet in virtuosic as well as lyrical guises that call on the ensembles in the United States. Founded by community leaders, dedicated musicians clarinetist to display his varied talents. The changing tempos throughout the piece and Music Director Chris Wilhjelm in 1983, the RCB is committed to engaging and underscore the title. There are moments of intense action and moments of quieting inspiring our audiences with the finest in traditional and contemporary wind literature. down with the final “winding down” left to the soloist alone at the end. The Ridgewood Led by Dr. Wilhjelm, the band is composed of professional, amateur and student Concert Band is honored to be offering the world premiere of this exciting new work to players drawn from across the tri-state area. the wind band literature at this evening’s performance. ______Three Characteristic Waltzes – Michael Valenti (b. 1942) is a new work by a contemporary American composer of wind music. The setting is of three distinct pieces written in ¾ time. The first waltz entitled Trapeze is written for a trapeze act in “The Big Apple Circus.” The playful musical dialogue offers a whimsical circus picture. The second waltz Americana puts the listener into a more nostalgic mood of American landscape. The final waltz Gremlins was originally written by the composer for the NDI Dance Company and is wonderfully extended here to bring the collection to its finale.
Finale to Hail! California – Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) is the last of only four original works the composer wrote for band. It was the triumphant conclusion to a grand cantata, which he had composed for the Panama Pacific Exposition held in San Francisco in 1915. It was a tribute to Franco-American relations entering a critical phase as World War I unfolded. The premier at the world exposition was performed by the prestigious Sousa Military Band and conducted by Saint-Saëns himself at the age of 80. This proud finale combines the La Marseillaise with the Star Spangled Banner in a dramatic and triumphal finish to the grand cantata that was performed 100 years ago in San Francisco and disappeared into virtual obscurity until now. The Ridgewood Concert Band is very proud to present this piece for the very first time in 100 years.
PROGRAM Prelude by the Mahwah High School Symphonic Band Jeffrey Bittner, Director
Redemption - Rossano Galante Variations on a Korean Folk Song - John Barnes Chance
The Free Lance March - John Philip Sousa, Ed. by William Revelli - Col. Arnald D. Gabriel, Conductor DR. CHRISTIAN WILHJELM , MUSIC DIRECTOR ------
The Gallant Seventh John Philip Sousa FLUTES SAXOPHONES TUBAS Edited by Frederick Fennell Jill Bloom Lois Hicks-Wozniak * - Alto Michael Gould Entrance of the Colors by American Legion Color Guard, Post 153 - Park Ridge, NJ Carolyn Campagna Jacqueline Sarracco - Alto Robert Sacchi * Carolyn Crumb Andre Baruch - Tenor The Star-Spangled Banner Francis Scott Key Marissa Fleming Erik Sloezen - Tenor HARP arranged by Sousa/Damrosch
Lisandra Hernandez Michael DePompeo - Baritone Irene Bressler Bullets and Bayonets John Philip Sousa Jennifer Kasyan Annette Lieb CORNETS/TRUMPETS STRING BASS Winding Up/Winding Down Michael Gandolfi Mary Nussear* Dave Bychek David Marks Premier Performance - Richard Summers, Clarinet
Tomomi Takamoto Mike Connor Three Characteristic Waltzes Michael Valenti Max Taylor - Piccolo Alecia DeJoseph PERCUSSION I. Trapeze Brian Fleming Nick Dekens II. Americana OBOES Dave Hurd Charles Lachman * III. Gremlins Mary Lou Irvine * Amanda Innis James Mallen Premier Performance
Alan Lynch Tamara McLaughlin Adrienne Ostrander Finale to HAIL! CALIFORNIA Camille Saint-Saëns Andrea Nowalk - Eng. Hn. Mike Russo John Wagner * Edited and Arranged by Peter Stanley Martin Ann Sirinides Mark Zettler First Performance since 1915 BASSOONS Tony Spinuzzi Linda Balavram * Joseph Stella * PRINCIPAL Sentimental Journey Les Brown Col. Arnald D. Gabriel, Conductor Jessica Frane Roger Widicus * ______Robert Gray - Contra ASSOCIATE CONDUCTORS Americans We Henry Fillmore FRENCH HORNS John Palatucci Col. Arnald D. Gabriel, Conductor Eb CLARINET Megan Chann Richard Summers Michelle McGuire Mark Holodak INTERMISSION
Carolyn Kirby * LIBRARIAN Chorale and Shaker Dance John P. Zdechlik CLARINETS Brian McLaughlin Dave Bychek Jeffrey Bittner Bryan Meyer Sabre and Spurs John Philip Sousa Suzanne Coletta Deloss Schertz PERSONNEL MANAGER Arranged by Brion/Schissel Naomi Freshwater Richard Summers Present the Colors Arranged by Daniel Sandidge Joe Mariany TROMBONES Service Songs of the U.S. Armed Forces Leigh Myers Tom Abbate STAGE MANAGER Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines Marcie Phelan Noreen Baer * Tony Spinuzzi A salute to all current and retired US Military personnel - please rise as your service song is performed. Jean Roughgarden Chris DeWilde Beth Seavers Stephanie Dutcher BOX OFFICE Hymn to the Fallen John Williams Neil Sheehan Paul Kirby Marilyn Wagner Transcribed for Concert Band by Paul Lavender In memory of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, please hold your applause at the conclusion. Karen Summers Keith Marson Col. Arnald D. Gabriel, Conductor Richard Summers * Federico Perez PARKING DIRECTOR Janet Vidovich Michael Treni John Hahn America, The Beautiful Samuel Augustus Ward Arranged for Band by Carmen Dragon Col. Arnald D. Gabriel, Conductor BASS CLARINETS EUPHONIUMS WEB ADMINISTRATOR Glenn Chernicky - Alto Cl. Robyn Keyes Deloss Schertz Stars and Stripes Forever John Philip Sousa Bianca D’Agostaro John Palatucci * Col. Arnald D. Gabriel, Conductor Joel Kolk * Donald Van Teyens PROGRAM DESIGN *Flash photography and audio or video recording of this concert is strictly prohibited.* Joseph Stella
PROGRAM Prelude by the Mahwah High School Symphonic Band Jeffrey Bittner, Director
Redemption - Rossano Galante Variations on a Korean Folk Song - John Barnes Chance
The Free Lance March - John Philip Sousa, Ed. by William Revelli - Col. Arnald D. Gabriel, Conductor DR. CHRISTIAN WILHJELM , MUSIC DIRECTOR ------
The Gallant Seventh John Philip Sousa FLUTES SAXOPHONES TUBAS Edited by Frederick Fennell Jill Bloom Lois Hicks-Wozniak * - Alto Michael Gould Entrance of the Colors by American Legion Color Guard, Post 153 - Park Ridge, NJ Carolyn Campagna Jacqueline Sarracco - Alto Robert Sacchi * Carolyn Crumb Andre Baruch - Tenor The Star-Spangled Banner Francis Scott Key Marissa Fleming Erik Sloezen - Tenor HARP arranged by Sousa/Damrosch
Lisandra Hernandez Michael DePompeo - Baritone Irene Bressler Bullets and Bayonets John Philip Sousa Jennifer Kasyan Annette Lieb CORNETS/TRUMPETS STRING BASS Winding Up/Winding Down Michael Gandolfi Mary Nussear* Dave Bychek David Marks Premier Performance - Richard Summers, Clarinet
Tomomi Takamoto Mike Connor Three Characteristic Waltzes Michael Valenti Max Taylor - Piccolo Alecia DeJoseph PERCUSSION I. Trapeze Brian Fleming Nick Dekens II. Americana OBOES Dave Hurd Charles Lachman * III. Gremlins Mary Lou Irvine * Amanda Innis James Mallen Premier Performance
Alan Lynch Tamara McLaughlin Adrienne Ostrander Finale to HAIL! CALIFORNIA Camille Saint-Saëns Andrea Nowalk - Eng. Hn. Mike Russo John Wagner * Edited and Arranged by Peter Stanley Martin Ann Sirinides Mark Zettler First Performance since 1915 BASSOONS Tony Spinuzzi Linda Balavram * Joseph Stella * PRINCIPAL Sentimental Journey Les Brown Col. Arnald D. Gabriel, Conductor Jessica Frane Roger Widicus * ______Robert Gray - Contra ASSOCIATE CONDUCTORS Americans We Henry Fillmore FRENCH HORNS John Palatucci Col. Arnald D. Gabriel, Conductor Eb CLARINET Megan Chann Richard Summers Michelle McGuire Mark Holodak INTERMISSION
Carolyn Kirby * LIBRARIAN Chorale and Shaker Dance John P. Zdechlik CLARINETS Brian McLaughlin Dave Bychek Jeffrey Bittner Bryan Meyer Sabre and Spurs John Philip Sousa Suzanne Coletta Deloss Schertz PERSONNEL MANAGER Arranged by Brion/Schissel Naomi Freshwater Richard Summers Present the Colors Arranged by Daniel Sandidge Joe Mariany TROMBONES Service Songs of the U.S. Armed Forces Leigh Myers Tom Abbate STAGE MANAGER Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines Marcie Phelan Noreen Baer * Tony Spinuzzi A salute to all current and retired US Military personnel - please rise as your service song is performed. Jean Roughgarden Chris DeWilde Beth Seavers Stephanie Dutcher BOX OFFICE Hymn to the Fallen John Williams Neil Sheehan Paul Kirby Marilyn Wagner Transcribed for Concert Band by Paul Lavender In memory of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, please hold your applause at the conclusion. Karen Summers Keith Marson Col. Arnald D. Gabriel, Conductor Richard Summers * Federico Perez PARKING DIRECTOR Janet Vidovich Michael Treni John Hahn America, The Beautiful Samuel Augustus Ward Arranged for Band by Carmen Dragon Col. Arnald D. Gabriel, Conductor BASS CLARINETS EUPHONIUMS WEB ADMINISTRATOR Glenn Chernicky - Alto Cl. Robyn Keyes Deloss Schertz Stars and Stripes Forever John Philip Sousa Bianca D’Agostaro John Palatucci * Col. Arnald D. Gabriel, Conductor Joel Kolk * Donald Van Teyens PROGRAM DESIGN *Flash photography and audio or video recording of this concert is strictly prohibited.* Joseph Stella PROGRAM NOTES Dr. Christian Wilhjelm, conductor, professional musician and educator, has been the Ridgewood Concert Band’s The Gallant Seventh – John Philip Sousa (1854-1932) was Sousa’s one hundred first Musical Director since it was founded in 1983. He was also march, and he premiered it at a gala concert at the old New York Hippodrome Music Director of the renowned Goldman Memorial Band (predecessor of today’s Radio City Music Hall) in 1922. Sousa augmented his band at in New York City. He regularly conducts the metropolitan this first performance by adding the band of the Seventh Regiment of NY, and featured area’s leading professional ensembles such as the Norwalk their field music unit in the regimental strains of the march as well. The Seventh Symphony. As a French horn player, he has performed Regiment of NY has long been known for its gallantry in the service of our country, under the world’s great conductors including Leonard and Sousa’s contribution to this recognition produced one of his very best works in the Bernstein, Seiji Ozawa, Sir Colin Davis and Arthur Fiedler. march form. This is the March King at his regimental best, in a style he frequently displayed from Semper Fideles onward. As a professional musician, Dr. Wilhjelm has played the Bullets and Bayonets – John Philip Sousa (1854-1932). Sousa marches often bear a French horn with the Boston Symphony, the Boston Pops dedication to people, places, or events. This march is no exception and bears the and, as a principal, with the Boston Ballet Orchestra, the Boston Opera Orchestra dedication "To the officers and men of the U.S. Infantry." When written in 1918, the and the Richmond Symphony. An honors graduate of the New England subjects of the title, Bullets and Bayonets, were a frightening reality to his soldier- Conservatory, he received his doctorate from Columbia University in 1998. He has countrymen then engaged in the struggle raging on the western front in World War I. been the band director at Pascack Hills High School since 1984. Dr. Wilhjelm was Frederick Fennell's editing has preserved the scoring of the original, with its musical recently honored by his election to American Bandmasters Association. He is the ideas, deceivingly simple yet solid and immediately rewarding to the performer and 2012 recipient of the Outstanding Conductor Award presented by the Association listener. Sousa's fondness for the sound of drum sticks "on the hoop" of wooden snare of Concert Bands. Dr Wilhjelm is the state chair for the National Band Association. and field drums is preserved within the trio. In 2013, he was elected to the Board of Directors for the Association of Concert
Winding Up/Winding Down – Michael Gandolfi (b. 1956) is a serenade for clarinet Bands. and wind ensemble in a single, ten-minute movement. The opening musical announcement is a transcription of an audio crosswalk signal that the composer encountered as an inspiration for the work’s theme. The different sections of the The Ridgewood Concert Band (RCB), in its 32nd season, is one of the leading wind serenade feature the solo clarinet in virtuosic as well as lyrical guises that call on the ensembles in the United States. Founded by community leaders, dedicated musicians clarinetist to display his varied talents. The changing tempos throughout the piece and Music Director Chris Wilhjelm in 1983, the RCB is committed to engaging and underscore the title. There are moments of intense action and moments of quieting inspiring our audiences with the finest in traditional and contemporary wind literature. down with the final “winding down” left to the soloist alone at the end. The Ridgewood Led by Dr. Wilhjelm, the band is composed of professional, amateur and student Concert Band is honored to be offering the world premiere of this exciting new work to players drawn from across the tri-state area. the wind band literature at this evening’s performance. ______Three Characteristic Waltzes – Michael Valenti (b. 1942) is a new work by a contemporary American composer of wind music. The setting is of three distinct pieces written in ¾ time. The first waltz entitled Trapeze is written for a trapeze act in “The Big Apple Circus.” The playful musical dialogue offers a whimsical circus picture. The second waltz Americana puts the listener into a more nostalgic mood of American landscape. The final waltz Gremlins was originally written by the composer for the NDI Dance Company and is wonderfully extended here to bring the collection to its finale.
Finale to Hail! California – Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) is the last of only four original works the composer wrote for band. It was the triumphant conclusion to a grand cantata, which he had composed for the Panama Pacific Exposition held in San Francisco in 1915. It was a tribute to Franco-American relations entering a critical phase as World War I unfolded. The premier at the world exposition was performed by the prestigious Sousa Military Band and conducted by Saint-Saëns himself at the age of 80. This proud finale combines the La Marseillaise with the Star Spangled Banner in a dramatic and triumphal finish to the grand cantata that was performed 100 years ago in San Francisco and disappeared into virtual obscurity until now. The Ridgewood Concert Band is very proud to present this piece for the very first time in 100 years. Americans We – Henry Fillmore (1881-1956). Henry Fillmore is best known as a prolific composer and arranger of music for wind band. His free spirit and love of “fun music” is evident across the majority of his works and, accordingly, his best marches are notable for their intense energy, bravado, and technical challenge. Americans We forms one third of that great triad of marches that are the basis of our patriotic inspiration. The three marches include Fillmore’s Americans We, Bagley’s National Emblem, and Sousa’s The Stars and Stripes Forever. The composer decided on the title of his most famous march because he wanted the public to know this march was for “all of us.”
Chorale and Shaker Dance – John P. Zdechlik (b. 1937) is a composition that combines a simple chorale theme, introduced by the woodwinds, with variations of the well known Shaker hymn “Simple Gifts.” There is a progression of instrumental timbres and chord textures as the themes alternate and commingle. The brass and woodwinds exchange the themes as time signatures cause an increase in both tempo and intensity. Sustained brass sections play the chorale with woodwinds performing a fiery obbligato based on the Shaker hymn as the development peaks. A demanding timpani part punctuates the dramatic ending.
Sabre and Spurs – John Philip Sousa (1854-1932). It was in 1917, at the age of 62, and with his country embroiled in World War I, that Sousa joined the Naval Reserve and was given the rank of lieutenant. It was during this time that Sousa turned out this patriotic march, Sabre and Spurs, dedicated to the 311th Cavalry of the United States Army. The work opens with a jaunty march tune whose brightly lit manner is highlighted by Sousa's characteristic upper-range sonorities. The music is joyous, giving no hint of war and no sign of strife in its bouncy gait. A variant of the main theme appears midway through, bringing with it a mellower, more subdued character. Gradually, however, the music grows bigger and more festive, as the work triumphantly ends.
Hymn to the Fallen – John Williams (b. 1932). There is little doubt of the impact of John Williams’ music on the entertainment world. His film music, including a more than 20-year collaboration with director Steven Spielberg, has been an integral part of some of the film industry’s finest achievements. John William’s unique talent and respected artistry have made his film scores a significant and vital part of our American culture. “Saving Private Ryan” is certainly one of this collaboration’s most powerful efforts. The cumulative effect of great photography and splendid performances contained in the film combine to produce a jolting emotional impact, particularly in the closing moments of the movie. The Hymn to the Fallen is John Williams’ expression of that impact and is heard only over the closing credits of the film. The quiet, simply placed melody takes the audience to the depths of emotion when respecting the tribute to those who gave the supreme sacrifice in service to our nation.
Program Notes compiled by Marcie Phelan
The RCB would like to thank the Color Guard of American Legion Post 153 - Park Ridge, NJ: Captain Jim Mescher. The RCB would also like to thank the Signal Department of Ridgewood for their generous loan of the American flag for tonight's concert. Col. Arnald D. Gabriel retired from the United States Air Force in 1985 following a distinguished 36 year military career, at which time he was awarded his third Legion of Merit for his service to the United States Air Force and to music education throughout the country. He served as Commander/Conductor of the internationally renowned U.S. Air Force Band, Symphony Orchestra, and Singing Sergeants from 1964 to 1985. In 1990, he was named the first Conductor Emeritus of the USAF Band at a special concert held at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, DC. Col. Gabriel served on the faculty of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, from 1985 to 1995, as Conductor of the GMU Symphony Orchestra and as Chairman, Department of Music for eight of those years. In recognition of his ten years service to the university, he was named Professor Emeritus of Music.
A combat machine gunner with the United States Army’s famed 29th Infantry Division in Europe during WW II, Gabriel received two awards of the Bronze Star Medal, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the French Croix de Guerre. Following his separation from the Army in 1946, Gabriel enrolled in Ithaca College, where he earned both Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Music Education. In 1989, his alma mater conferred upon him an Honorary Doctor of Music degree and in 1997, he was further honored with its Lifetime Achievement Award. He is also listed in the International Who ‘s Who in Music, 7th edition. Col. Gabriel’s professional honors include the very first Citation of Excellence awarded by the National Band Association, the Mid-West National Band and Orchestra Clinic’s Gold Medal of Honor and its Distinguished Service to Music Award, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia’s New Millennium Lifetime Achievement Award and its rarely presented National Citation for “significant contributions to music in America”, Kappa Kappa Psi’s Distinguished Service to Music Award, Phi Beta Mu’s Outstanding Contribution to Bands Award, and the St. Cecilia Award from the University of Notre Dame.
Col. Gabriel was inducted into the National Band Association Hall of Fame of Distinguished Band Conductors, becoming the youngest person ever to have received this honor, and was an inaugural inductee to the Distinguished Alumni Wall of Fame of Cortland High School in Cortland, New York. He is also a Past President of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association. In 2008, the US Air Force Band dedicated the Arnald D. Gabriel Hall in his honor, and Bands of America inducted Col Gabriel into its Hall of Fame. Col. Gabriel has performed in all 50 of the United States and in 50 countries around the world.
In addition to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, among the hundreds of major orchestras and bands he has conducted are the Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, San Antonio, Memphis, Florida, Glendale (California), Green Bay (Wisconsin), York and Williamsport (Pennsylvania), Fairfax (Virginia), Puerto Rico, and Tatui Sao Paulo (Brazil), symphony orchestras, the Carabiniere Band and the Air Force Band (Italy), the Band of the Royal Netherlands Marines, the Royal Hellenic Band (Greece), the Staff Music Corps (Bonn, Germany), the National Band of the Canadian Forces (Ottawa), The Dallas Wind Symphony, the Gamagori Band and the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra (Japan).
Col. Gabriel was named Music Director Emeritus of the McLean (VA) Orchestra for his outstanding leadership from 1986 to 2002. Col. Gabriel continues to appear as clinician at major state, regional, and university music festivals and guest conducts outstanding school, college, municipal, and military bands as well as orchestras around the world.
Richard Summers is a music educator, performer, arranger, conductor, and composer. He grew up in Wheeling WV, became interested in a musical career, and attended the University of Kentucky for two years under a full scholarship. He moved to the NY/NJ area when he was accepted as a clarinetist and saxophonist of the United States Military Academy Band at West Point from 1972-1975. Following his military career, he attended Juilliard, where he received his BM and MM degrees in music performance on clarinet under Leon Russianoff and Joseph Allard. Newly retired from NJ public schools, Mr. Summers taught instrumental music for 32 years in Kinnelon and Pequannock, NJ and served as adjunct professor for concert band, clarinet, and woodwinds at William Paterson University, where he established the Summer Honors Band. He has conducted the North Jersey Area High School and Junior Bands and NJ Region I Intermediate and Junior Bands and also served as president for NJ Area Band.
As a performer on clarinet, saxophone, and other woodwind instruments, Mr. Summers has performed as a member of the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, Lexington Philharmonic, New Jersey Pops Orchestra, The Orchestra at William Paterson, The New Music Ensemble, The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Adelphi Chamber Orchestra, North Jersey Philharmonic, and has been principal clarinetist, soloist, assistant conductor, personnel manager, and arranger with the Ridgewood Concert Band for over 25 years. Throughout his career, he has been a featured performer both locally and internationally, playing solo works across the US and Europe.
Mr. Summers has recently arranged and composed music that has been published for Bandworks Publications, and Carl Fisher Publications, and is hoping to write and publish more music in the future. Mr. Summers resides in West Milford, NJ and has a musical family of his own. His wife Karen and his son Stephen are also clarinetists and perform together in area music ensembles like the Ridgewood Concert Band.
RIDGEWOOD CONCERT BAND BOARD OF TRUSTEES
PRESIDENT: Mark Zettler VICE PRESIDENT: John Wagner RECORDING SECRETARY: Annette Lieb CORRESPONDING SECRETARY: Mary Nussear TREASURER: Neil Sheehan
MEMBERS AT LARGE: Noreen Baer, Annette Baron, John Butler, Mike DePompeo, Lawrence Friedman, Carolyn Kirby, Kathleen Peters, Philip Peters, Thomas P. Price, Deloss Schertz & Beth Seavers
UPCOMING RCB CONCERTS
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2014 Heavenly Bands
SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015 The Lincoln Legacy
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015: The Annual Generations Concert
For additional RCB information, please visit our website or scan our QR code: WWW.RIDGEWOODBAND.ORG
Printing of this program generously underwritten by Konica Minolta Business Solutions. Dr. Christian Wilhjelm, Music Director
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Funding has been made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, through grant funds administered by the Bergen County
Department of Parks, Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs. Salute to Our Nation's ______
The Ridgewood Concert Band would like to thank all of Veterans the many volunteers who have made this concert possible. FEATURED GUEST CONDUCTOR
______Colonel Arnald D. Gabriel, Conductor Emeritus,
The United States Air Force Band
The Ridgewood Concert Band would like to give a FEATURED GUEST SOLOIST special “thank you” to the Pascack Valley Regional Richard Summers, Clarinet
High School District. The Pascack Hills High PRELUDE PERFORMANCE - 7:30 PM School Band room is our weekly rehearsal site. Mahwah High School Symphonic Band Jeffrey Bittner, Director ______
Friday, November 14, 2014 - 8:00 PM For additional RCB information, please West Side Presbyterian Church, Ridgewood, NJ visit our website or scan our QR code: Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. is a Proud Sponsor of WWW.RIDGEWOODBAND.ORG the Ridgewood Concert Band 2014-15 CONTRIBUTORS
The Ridgewood Concert Band gratefully acknowledges the support of our donors and subscribers whose generous support makes these programs possible.
BENEFACTOR ($3,000 and above) Michael J. Kokola Lindsay B. Gallagher Mary & Boyd Lowry Thomas & Victoria Price Cheryl & James Mallen Konica Minolta Business Solutions Judith & David Maron Merrill Lynch Wealth Management/ Joseph & Deborah Marsicovete Bank of America Corp. Jerrold, Mary A. & Leah Meyer Irene Montella PATRON ($2,000 to $2,999) Michelle & Michael Morris Carolyn & Howard Crumb Sylvia Nodini Friends in support of new music Mary & Michael Nussear Marcella Phelan SPONSOR ($1,000 to $1,999) Jean Roughgarden Khan & Eva Smith Deloss Schertz & Rose Kraybill Emilio & Maria Uriarte Francis H. Schott Rachel Schulman SUPPORTER ($500 to $999) Richard & Karen Summers Barbara Abney Bolger Kathleen & Harold Sylvester Darel & Michael DePompeo Nancy E. Zweil Lawrence & Donna Friedman, in support of the PVH Corporation Ridgewood Concert Band Society Joel Kolk FRIEND ($1 to $99) Charles Lachman & Emily Bliss-Lachman Virginia Baird Keith Mogerley Eileen Beaumel Randy F. Reveley Linda Blacken John & Marilyn Wagner Maria J. Bush Judith Widicus Vincent & Marianne DeBea Patricia & Frederick Yosca Michelle & James Dugan Blue Moon Cafe Sue & Ira Emanuel Vicki Fiore, M.D. ASSOCIATE ($250 to $499) Les & Sue Fox John G. Bolger Kenneth Freiband John Butler Katherine Grasso Paul Goldberg Richard F. Hahn Paul & Carolyn Kirby Richard & Katherine Innis Dorothy S. Neff Janet Johnston In memory of Acton E. Ostling Donald & Gail Landzettel Kathleen & John J. Palatucci Linda Maguire Carol & Neil Sheehan Desidor J. Maik BNY Mellon Community Partnership Walter & Diana Perog Costco of Hackensack Samantha Price-Koontz Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC. Phyllis Ronco Plymouth Rock Foundation Albert W. Schagen Whole Foods of Ridgewood Edward J. Schlamp Beth Seavers AFFILIATE ($100 to $249) Nancy Short Richard Aumiller Virginia Sirinides Kenneth & Sarina Bronfin David Sternberg David & Jacalyn Bychek Alexander & Deborah Taylor James Demes Jon Thurlow Sally Fillmore William D. & Helen L. Thurlow Capt. Kenneth Force Richard & Jessie VerHage Frank & Loretta Healey Mark & Andrea Zettler Robert Hennings, Jr. Tito’s Burritos of Ridgewood Lois Hicks-Wozniak Martha & Jane Huff If you are a recent subscriber or donor, we may Marie Kane have received your name too late to include in this Jill Keller program and we apologize for that, but you will be Fred & Joan Knapp in subsequent programs. Thank you.
Season 32, Concert 2 November 14, 2014 Salute to Our Nation's Veterans