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Season 32, Concert 2 November 14, 2014
Salute to Our Nation's Veterans
BENEFACTOR ($3,000 and above) Lindsay B. Gallagher
Thomas & Victoria Price Konica Minolta Business Solutions Merrill Lynch Wealth Management/
Bank of America Corp.
PATRON ($2,000 to $2,999) Carolyn & Howard Crumb
Friends in support of new music
SPONSOR ($1,000 to $1,999) Khan & Eva Smith
Emilio & Maria Uriarte
SUPPORTER ($500 to $999) Barbara Abney Bolger
Darel & Michael DePompeo Lawrence & Donna Friedman, in support of the
Ridgewood Concert Band Society Joel Kolk
Charles Lachman & Emily Bliss-Lachman Keith Mogerley
Randy F. Reveley John & Marilyn Wagner
Judith Widicus Patricia & Frederick Yosca
Blue Moon Cafe
ASSOCIATE ($250 to $499) John G. Bolger
John Butler Paul Goldberg
Paul & Carolyn Kirby Dorothy S. Neff
In memory of Acton E. Ostling Kathleen & John J. Palatucci
Carol & Neil Sheehan BNY Mellon Community Partnership
Costco of Hackensack Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC.
Plymouth Rock Foundation Whole Foods of Ridgewood
AFFILIATE ($100 to $249)
Richard Aumiller Kenneth & Sarina Bronfin David & Jacalyn Bychek
James Demes Sally Fillmore
Capt. Kenneth Force Frank & Loretta Healey
Robert Hennings, Jr. Lois Hicks-Wozniak Martha & Jane Huff
Marie Kane Jill Keller
Fred & Joan Knapp
Michael J. Kokola Mary & Boyd Lowry
Cheryl & James Mallen Judith & David Maron
Joseph & Deborah Marsicovete Jerrold, Mary A. & Leah Meyer
Irene Montella Michelle & Michael Morris
Sylvia Nodini Mary & Michael Nussear
Marcella Phelan Jean Roughgarden
Deloss Schertz & Rose Kraybill Francis H. Schott Rachel Schulman
Richard & Karen Summers Kathleen & Harold Sylvester
Nancy E. Zweil PVH Corporation
FRIEND ($1 to $99)
Virginia Baird Eileen Beaumel Linda Blacken Maria J. Bush
Vincent & Marianne DeBea Michelle & James Dugan
Sue & Ira Emanuel Vicki Fiore, M.D.
Les & Sue Fox Kenneth Freiband Katherine Grasso Richard F. Hahn
Richard & Katherine Innis Janet Johnston
Donald & Gail Landzettel Linda Maguire Desidor J. Maik
Walter & Diana Perog Samantha Price-Koontz
Phyllis Ronco Albert W. Schagen Edward J. Schlamp
Beth Seavers Nancy Short
Virginia Sirinides David Sternberg
Alexander & Deborah Taylor Jon Thurlow
William D. & Helen L. Thurlow Richard & Jessie VerHage
Mark & Andrea Zettler Tito’s Burritos of Ridgewood
If you are a recent subscriber or donor, we may
have received your name too late to include in this program and we apologize for that, but you will be
in subsequent programs. Thank you.
2014-15 CONTRIBUTORS The Ridgewood Concert Band gratefully acknowledges the support of our donors
and subscribers whose generous support makes these programs possible.
Printing of this program generously underwritten by Konica Minolta Business Solutions.
________________________________________________________________________
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. ________________________________________________________________________
The Ridgewood Concert Band would like to thank all of the many volunteers who have made this concert possible.
________________________________________________________________________
The Ridgewood Concert Band would like to give a special “thank you” to the Pascack Valley Regional
High School District. The Pascack Hills High School Band room is our weekly rehearsal site.
________________________________________________________________________
For additional RCB information, please visit our website or scan our QR code:
WWW.RIDGEWOODBAND.ORG
Dr. Christian Wilhjelm, Music Director
Salute to Our Nation's Veterans
FEATURED GUEST CONDUCTOR Colonel Arnald D. Gabriel, Conductor Emeritus,
The United States Air Force Band
FEATURED GUEST SOLOIST Richard Summers, Clarinet
PRELUDE PERFORMANCE - 7:30 PM Mahwah High School Symphonic Band
Jeffrey Bittner, Director
Friday, November 14, 2014 - 8:00 PM West Side Presbyterian Church, Ridgewood, NJ
Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. is a Proud Sponsor of
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 The Gallant Seventh – John Philip Sousa (1854-1932) was Sousa’s one hundred first march, and he premiered it at a gala concert at the old New York Hippodrome (predecessor of today’s Radio City Music Hall) in 1922. Sousa augmented his band at this first performance by adding the band of the Seventh Regiment of NY, and featured their field music unit in the regimental strains of the march as well. The Seventh Regiment of NY has long been known for its gallantry in the service of our country, and Sousa’s contribution to this recognition produced one of his very best works in the march form. This is the March King at his regimental best, in a style he frequently displayed from Semper Fideles onward.
Bullets and Bayonets – John Philip Sousa (1854-1932). Sousa marches often bear a dedication to people, places, or events. This march is no exception and bears the dedication "To the officers and men of the U.S. Infantry." When written in 1918, the subjects of the title, Bullets and Bayonets, were a frightening reality to his soldier-countrymen then engaged in the struggle raging on the western front in World War I. Frederick Fennell's editing has preserved the scoring of the original, with its musical ideas, deceivingly simple yet solid and immediately rewarding to the performer and listener. Sousa's fondness for the sound of drum sticks "on the hoop" of wooden snare and field drums is preserved within the trio.
Winding Up/Winding Down – Michael Gandolfi (b. 1956) is a serenade for clarinet 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 serenade feature the solo clarinet in virtuosic as well as lyrical guises that call on the clarinetist to display his varied talents. The changing tempos throughout the piece underscore the title. There are moments of intense action and moments of quieting down with the final “winding down” left to the soloist alone at the end. The Ridgewood Concert Band is honored to be offering the world premiere of this exciting new work to 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.
Dr. Christian Wilhjelm, conductor, professional musician and educator, has been the Ridgewood Concert Band’s Musical Director since it was founded in 1983. He was also Music Director of the renowned Goldman Memorial Band in New York City. He regularly conducts the metropolitan area’s leading professional ensembles such as the Norwalk Symphony. As a French horn player, he has performed under the world’s great conductors including Leonard Bernstein, Seiji Ozawa, Sir Colin Davis and Arthur Fiedler. As a professional musician, Dr. Wilhjelm has played the French horn with the Boston Symphony, the Boston Pops and, as a principal, with the Boston Ballet Orchestra, the Boston Opera Orchestra and the Richmond Symphony. An honors graduate of the New England Conservatory, he received his doctorate from Columbia University in 1998. He has been the band director at Pascack Hills High School since 1984. Dr. Wilhjelm was recently honored by his election to American Bandmasters Association. He is the 2012 recipient of the Outstanding Conductor Award presented by the Association of Concert Bands. Dr Wilhjelm is the state chair for the National Band Association. In 2013, he was elected to the Board of Directors for the Association of Concert Bands. The Ridgewood Concert Band (RCB), in its 32nd season, is one of the leading wind ensembles in the United States. Founded by community leaders, dedicated musicians and Music Director Chris Wilhjelm in 1983, the RCB is committed to engaging and inspiring our audiences with the finest in traditional and contemporary wind literature. Led by Dr. Wilhjelm, the band is composed of professional, amateur and student players drawn from across the tri-state area. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
FLUTES Jill Bloom
Carolyn Campagna Carolyn Crumb Marissa Fleming
Lisandra Hernandez Jennifer Kasyan
Annette Lieb Mary Nussear*
Tomomi Takamoto Max Taylor - Piccolo
OBOES
Mary Lou Irvine * Alan Lynch
Andrea Nowalk - Eng. Hn.
BASSOONS Linda Balavram *
Jessica Frane Robert Gray - Contra
Eb CLARINET
Michelle McGuire
CLARINETS Jeffrey Bittner
Suzanne Coletta Naomi Freshwater
Joe Mariany Leigh Myers
Marcie Phelan Jean Roughgarden
Beth Seavers Neil Sheehan
Karen Summers Richard Summers *
Janet Vidovich
BASS CLARINETS Glenn Chernicky - Alto Cl.
Bianca D’Agostaro Joel Kolk *
SAXOPHONES
Lois Hicks-Wozniak * - Alto Jacqueline Sarracco - Alto
Andre Baruch - Tenor Erik Sloezen - Tenor
Michael DePompeo - Baritone
CORNETS/TRUMPETS Dave Bychek Mike Connor
Alecia DeJoseph Brian Fleming
Dave Hurd Amanda Innis
Tamara McLaughlin Mike Russo
Ann Sirinides Tony Spinuzzi Joseph Stella
Roger Widicus *
FRENCH HORNS Megan Chann Mark Holodak
Carolyn Kirby * Brian McLaughlin
Bryan Meyer Deloss Schertz
TROMBONES Tom Abbate
Noreen Baer * Chris DeWilde
Stephanie Dutcher Paul Kirby
Keith Marson Federico Perez Michael Treni
EUPHONIUMS Robyn Keyes
John Palatucci * Donald Van Teyens
TUBAS Michael Gould Robert Sacchi *
HARP
Irene Bressler
STRING BASS David Marks
PERCUSSION Nick Dekens
Charles Lachman * James Mallen
Adrienne Ostrander John Wagner * Mark Zettler
* PRINCIPAL
______________________ ASSOCIATE CONDUCTORS
John Palatucci Richard Summers
LIBRARIAN
Dave Bychek
PERSONNEL MANAGER Richard Summers
STAGE MANAGER
Tony Spinuzzi
BOX OFFICE Marilyn Wagner
PARKING DIRECTOR
John Hahn
WEB ADMINISTRATOR Deloss Schertz
PROGRAM DESIGN
Joseph Stella
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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Gallant Seventh John Philip Sousa Edited by Frederick Fennell
Entrance of the Colors by American Legion Color Guard, Post 153 - Park Ridge, NJ
The Star-Spangled Banner Francis Scott Key arranged by Sousa/Damrosch
Bullets and Bayonets John Philip Sousa
Winding Up/Winding Down Michael Gandolfi Premier Performance - Richard Summers, Clarinet
Three Characteristic Waltzes Michael Valenti I. Trapeze II. Americana III. Gremlins
Premier Performance
Finale to HAIL! CALIFORNIA Camille Saint-Saëns Edited and Arranged by Peter Stanley Martin
First Performance since 1915
Sentimental Journey Les Brown Col. Arnald D. Gabriel, Conductor
Americans We Henry Fillmore Col. Arnald D. Gabriel, Conductor
INTERMISSION
Chorale and Shaker Dance John P. Zdechlik
Sabre and Spurs John Philip Sousa Arranged by Brion/Schissel
Present the Colors Arranged by Daniel Sandidge Service Songs of the U.S. Armed Forces Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines A salute to all current and retired US Military personnel - please rise as your service song is performed.
Hymn to the Fallen John Williams Transcribed for Concert Band by Paul Lavender
In memory of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, please hold your applause at the conclusion. Col. Arnald D. Gabriel, Conductor
America, The Beautiful Samuel Augustus Ward Arranged for Band by Carmen Dragon
Col. Arnald D. Gabriel, Conductor
Stars and Stripes Forever John Philip Sousa Col. Arnald D. Gabriel, Conductor
*Flash photography and audio or video recording of this concert is strictly prohibited.*
DR. CHRISTIAN WILHJELM, MUSIC DIRECTOR
PROGRAM
FLUTES Jill Bloom
Carolyn Campagna Carolyn Crumb Marissa Fleming
Lisandra Hernandez Jennifer Kasyan
Annette Lieb Mary Nussear*
Tomomi Takamoto Max Taylor - Piccolo
OBOES
Mary Lou Irvine * Alan Lynch
Andrea Nowalk - Eng. Hn.
BASSOONS Linda Balavram *
Jessica Frane Robert Gray - Contra
Eb CLARINET
Michelle McGuire
CLARINETS Jeffrey Bittner
Suzanne Coletta Naomi Freshwater
Joe Mariany Leigh Myers
Marcie Phelan Jean Roughgarden
Beth Seavers Neil Sheehan
Karen Summers Richard Summers *
Janet Vidovich
BASS CLARINETS Glenn Chernicky - Alto Cl.
Bianca D’Agostaro Joel Kolk *
SAXOPHONES
Lois Hicks-Wozniak * - Alto Jacqueline Sarracco - Alto
Andre Baruch - Tenor Erik Sloezen - Tenor
Michael DePompeo - Baritone
CORNETS/TRUMPETS Dave Bychek Mike Connor
Alecia DeJoseph Brian Fleming
Dave Hurd Amanda Innis
Tamara McLaughlin Mike Russo
Ann Sirinides Tony Spinuzzi Joseph Stella
Roger Widicus *
FRENCH HORNS Megan Chann Mark Holodak
Carolyn Kirby * Brian McLaughlin
Bryan Meyer Deloss Schertz
TROMBONES Tom Abbate
Noreen Baer * Chris DeWilde
Stephanie Dutcher Paul Kirby
Keith Marson Federico Perez Michael Treni
EUPHONIUMS Robyn Keyes
John Palatucci * Donald Van Teyens
TUBAS Michael Gould Robert Sacchi *
HARP
Irene Bressler
STRING BASS David Marks
PERCUSSION Nick Dekens
Charles Lachman * James Mallen
Adrienne Ostrander John Wagner * Mark Zettler
* PRINCIPAL
______________________ ASSOCIATE CONDUCTORS
John Palatucci Richard Summers
LIBRARIAN
Dave Bychek
PERSONNEL MANAGER Richard Summers
STAGE MANAGER
Tony Spinuzzi
BOX OFFICE Marilyn Wagner
PARKING DIRECTOR
John Hahn
WEB ADMINISTRATOR Deloss Schertz
PROGRAM DESIGN
Joseph Stella
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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Gallant Seventh John Philip Sousa Edited by Frederick Fennell
Entrance of the Colors by American Legion Color Guard, Post 153 - Park Ridge, NJ
The Star-Spangled Banner Francis Scott Key arranged by Sousa/Damrosch
Bullets and Bayonets John Philip Sousa
Winding Up/Winding Down Michael Gandolfi Premier Performance - Richard Summers, Clarinet
Three Characteristic Waltzes Michael Valenti I. Trapeze II. Americana III. Gremlins
Premier Performance
Finale to HAIL! CALIFORNIA Camille Saint-Saëns Edited and Arranged by Peter Stanley Martin
First Performance since 1915
Sentimental Journey Les Brown Col. Arnald D. Gabriel, Conductor
Americans We Henry Fillmore Col. Arnald D. Gabriel, Conductor
INTERMISSION
Chorale and Shaker Dance John P. Zdechlik
Sabre and Spurs John Philip Sousa Arranged by Brion/Schissel
Present the Colors Arranged by Daniel Sandidge Service Songs of the U.S. Armed Forces Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines A salute to all current and retired US Military personnel - please rise as your service song is performed.
Hymn to the Fallen John Williams Transcribed for Concert Band by Paul Lavender
In memory of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, please hold your applause at the conclusion. Col. Arnald D. Gabriel, Conductor
America, The Beautiful Samuel Augustus Ward Arranged for Band by Carmen Dragon
Col. Arnald D. Gabriel, Conductor
Stars and Stripes Forever John Philip Sousa Col. Arnald D. Gabriel, Conductor
*Flash photography and audio or video recording of this concert is strictly prohibited.*
DR. CHRISTIAN WILHJELM, MUSIC DIRECTOR
PROGRAM
PROGRAM NOTES The Gallant Seventh – John Philip Sousa (1854-1932) was Sousa’s one hundred first march, and he premiered it at a gala concert at the old New York Hippodrome (predecessor of today’s Radio City Music Hall) in 1922. Sousa augmented his band at this first performance by adding the band of the Seventh Regiment of NY, and featured their field music unit in the regimental strains of the march as well. The Seventh Regiment of NY has long been known for its gallantry in the service of our country, and Sousa’s contribution to this recognition produced one of his very best works in the march form. This is the March King at his regimental best, in a style he frequently displayed from Semper Fideles onward.
Bullets and Bayonets – John Philip Sousa (1854-1932). Sousa marches often bear a dedication to people, places, or events. This march is no exception and bears the dedication "To the officers and men of the U.S. Infantry." When written in 1918, the subjects of the title, Bullets and Bayonets, were a frightening reality to his soldier-countrymen then engaged in the struggle raging on the western front in World War I. Frederick Fennell's editing has preserved the scoring of the original, with its musical ideas, deceivingly simple yet solid and immediately rewarding to the performer and listener. Sousa's fondness for the sound of drum sticks "on the hoop" of wooden snare and field drums is preserved within the trio.
Winding Up/Winding Down – Michael Gandolfi (b. 1956) is a serenade for clarinet 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 serenade feature the solo clarinet in virtuosic as well as lyrical guises that call on the clarinetist to display his varied talents. The changing tempos throughout the piece underscore the title. There are moments of intense action and moments of quieting down with the final “winding down” left to the soloist alone at the end. The Ridgewood Concert Band is honored to be offering the world premiere of this exciting new work to 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.
Dr. Christian Wilhjelm, conductor, professional musician and educator, has been the Ridgewood Concert Band’s Musical Director since it was founded in 1983. He was also Music Director of the renowned Goldman Memorial Band in New York City. He regularly conducts the metropolitan area’s leading professional ensembles such as the Norwalk Symphony. As a French horn player, he has performed under the world’s great conductors including Leonard Bernstein, Seiji Ozawa, Sir Colin Davis and Arthur Fiedler. As a professional musician, Dr. Wilhjelm has played the French horn with the Boston Symphony, the Boston Pops and, as a principal, with the Boston Ballet Orchestra, the Boston Opera Orchestra and the Richmond Symphony. An honors graduate of the New England Conservatory, he received his doctorate from Columbia University in 1998. He has been the band director at Pascack Hills High School since 1984. Dr. Wilhjelm was recently honored by his election to American Bandmasters Association. He is the 2012 recipient of the Outstanding Conductor Award presented by the Association of Concert Bands. Dr Wilhjelm is the state chair for the National Band Association. In 2013, he was elected to the Board of Directors for the Association of Concert Bands. The Ridgewood Concert Band (RCB), in its 32nd season, is one of the leading wind ensembles in the United States. Founded by community leaders, dedicated musicians and Music Director Chris Wilhjelm in 1983, the RCB is committed to engaging and inspiring our audiences with the finest in traditional and contemporary wind literature. Led by Dr. Wilhjelm, the band is composed of professional, amateur and student players drawn from across the tri-state area. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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.
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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. ________________________________________________________________________
The Ridgewood Concert Band would like to thank all of the many volunteers who have made this concert possible.
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The Ridgewood Concert Band would like to give a special “thank you” to the Pascack Valley Regional
High School District. The Pascack Hills High School Band room is our weekly rehearsal site.
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For additional RCB information, please visit our website or scan our QR code:
WWW.RIDGEWOODBAND.ORG
Dr. Christian Wilhjelm, Music Director
Salute to Our Nation's Veterans
FEATURED GUEST CONDUCTOR Colonel Arnald D. Gabriel, Conductor Emeritus,
The United States Air Force Band
FEATURED GUEST SOLOIST Richard Summers, Clarinet
PRELUDE PERFORMANCE - 7:30 PM Mahwah High School Symphonic Band
Jeffrey Bittner, Director
Friday, November 14, 2014 - 8:00 PM West Side Presbyterian Church, Ridgewood, NJ
Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. is a Proud Sponsor of
the Ridgewood Concert Band
BENEFACTOR ($3,000 and above) Lindsay B. Gallagher
Thomas & Victoria Price Konica Minolta Business Solutions Merrill Lynch Wealth Management/
Bank of America Corp.
PATRON ($2,000 to $2,999) Carolyn & Howard Crumb
Friends in support of new music
SPONSOR ($1,000 to $1,999) Khan & Eva Smith
Emilio & Maria Uriarte
SUPPORTER ($500 to $999) Barbara Abney Bolger
Darel & Michael DePompeo Lawrence & Donna Friedman, in support of the
Ridgewood Concert Band Society Joel Kolk
Charles Lachman & Emily Bliss-Lachman Keith Mogerley
Randy F. Reveley John & Marilyn Wagner
Judith Widicus Patricia & Frederick Yosca
Blue Moon Cafe
ASSOCIATE ($250 to $499) John G. Bolger
John Butler Paul Goldberg
Paul & Carolyn Kirby Dorothy S. Neff
In memory of Acton E. Ostling Kathleen & John J. Palatucci
Carol & Neil Sheehan BNY Mellon Community Partnership
Costco of Hackensack Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC.
Plymouth Rock Foundation Whole Foods of Ridgewood
AFFILIATE ($100 to $249)
Richard Aumiller Kenneth & Sarina Bronfin David & Jacalyn Bychek
James Demes Sally Fillmore
Capt. Kenneth Force Frank & Loretta Healey
Robert Hennings, Jr. Lois Hicks-Wozniak Martha & Jane Huff
Marie Kane Jill Keller
Fred & Joan Knapp
Michael J. Kokola Mary & Boyd Lowry
Cheryl & James Mallen Judith & David Maron
Joseph & Deborah Marsicovete Jerrold, Mary A. & Leah Meyer
Irene Montella Michelle & Michael Morris
Sylvia Nodini Mary & Michael Nussear
Marcella Phelan Jean Roughgarden
Deloss Schertz & Rose Kraybill Francis H. Schott Rachel Schulman
Richard & Karen Summers Kathleen & Harold Sylvester
Nancy E. Zweil PVH Corporation
FRIEND ($1 to $99)
Virginia Baird Eileen Beaumel Linda Blacken Maria J. Bush
Vincent & Marianne DeBea Michelle & James Dugan
Sue & Ira Emanuel Vicki Fiore, M.D.
Les & Sue Fox Kenneth Freiband Katherine Grasso Richard F. Hahn
Richard & Katherine Innis Janet Johnston
Donald & Gail Landzettel Linda Maguire Desidor J. Maik
Walter & Diana Perog Samantha Price-Koontz
Phyllis Ronco Albert W. Schagen Edward J. Schlamp
Beth Seavers Nancy Short
Virginia Sirinides David Sternberg
Alexander & Deborah Taylor Jon Thurlow
William D. & Helen L. Thurlow Richard & Jessie VerHage
Mark & Andrea Zettler Tito’s Burritos of Ridgewood
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2014-15 CONTRIBUTORS The Ridgewood Concert Band gratefully acknowledges the support of our donors
and subscribers whose generous support makes these programs possible.
Season 32, Concert 2 November 14, 2014
Salute to Our Nation's Veterans
