Program

Thank you for coming

We played a variety of music. Tonight's program was:

 

• The Star-Spangled Banner - Arranged for band by John Philip Sousa
• Liberty Fanfare - Composed by John Williams for the rededication of the Statue of Liberty in 1986
• Nobles of the Mystic Shrine - Composed by John Philip Sousa, performing edition by Keith Brion
• Clef Club March - Composed by James Reese Europe, arr by Daniel Leavitt. In 1910, Mr. Europe formed the Clef Club and became its president. The organization had its own orchestra and chorus and served as a union and contracting agency for Black musicians. (bio credit Library of Congress)
• Castle House Rag  - Composed by James Reese Europe, arr by Daniel Leavitt. In 1914, Mr. Europe formed an association with the popular dancing duo Vernon and Irene Castle. That same year, Mr. Europe recorded "The Castles in Europe One-Step (Castle House Rag)" which was named to the 2004 National Registry of Recordings. (bio credit Library of Congress)
• Clarinet Concerto - Composed by Artie Shaw, performed by our principal clarinetist Kwami Barnett
• They Gave All - By Denver composer Andy Wolfe in 2010 for the opening of the Colorado Freedom Memorial
• Three Dance Episodes - From the film score of "On the Town," composed by Leonard Bernstein
• Big Band Signatures - Arr. by John Higgins (April in Paris, Caravan, In the Mood, Leap Frog, Let's Dance, the Peanut Vendor (El Manisero), Woodchopper's Ball)
• Beguine for Band - Composed by Glenn Osser, the beguine originated as a popular dance of the West Indies
• The Cowboys Overture - From the film score "The Cowboys" composed by John Williams, starring John Wayne
• The Stars and Stripes Forever – Composed by John Philip Sousa, the National March of the United States

 

About James Reese Europe

This season we are playing a number of pieces by James Reese Europe who was born in 1881 in Mobile, Alabama. In 1904, he moved to New York City where he was a pianist. Soon he thrived in the black-theater music scene and began composing. In 1912, his 125-member Clef Club Symphony Orchestra's concert in Carnegie Hall was a tremendous success. Later, he served as a lieutenant in World War I and was welcomed home a hero in 1919. The impact of Europe on American music cannot be overestimated. He shaped not only the music of his own time, but of future generations, as well. His organizational accomplishments prefigured the black-owned, black-run musical organizations that have existed since his time and to this day. (Library of Congress)