with Special Guests: MUW Chamber Singers (William Reber, Director) and Caledonia High School Choir & Columbus Choral Society (Jayne Doolittle, Director)
Selections
Kvetchers (Surprises in Controversial Time) – Laura Estes
Kvetchers is a mischievous musical argument in the form of a non-traditional concert march. In Yiddish, “Kvetch” means to complain, hence this piece lets every musician complain and play jokes throughout the march. Listen for the “Nana Boo Boo”, one note solos and meter changes from nowhere, along with other musical jokes. Enjoy Kvetchers by my friend from Atlanta, Laura Estes.
With Each Sunset (Comes the Promise of a New Day) – Richard Saucedo
Music has always been used as a way of expressing emotions or as an antidote to certain painful life encounters, and With Each Sunset functions in both ways. The work was written in memory of Jack Hensley, an American engineer from Marietta, Georgia, who while in Iraq was kidnapped and brutally slain by his captors in 2004. Hensley would have celebrated his 49th birthday the following day.
The title of the work suggests that in the darkest moments of life, there is hope for a new beginning.
African Noel – arr. Andre Thomas
This Christmas spiritual includes congas and tambourine to highlight the rhythmic accents of this holiday classic. The W Choir will be conducted by senior, Ri’carrdo Byrd.
The Pink Panther – Henry Mancini / arr. Brown
The Pink Panther is one of the most recognizable movie and TV themes ever written.It started in 1963 with comedy films featuring an inept French police detective, Inspector Jacques Clouseau. originated by actor Peter Sellers. Most of the films were directed and co-written by Blake Edwards, with theme music composed by Henry Mancini. The cartoon shorts were produced from 1964 to 1980, featuring Pink Panther’s nemesis, The Little Man.
Selections from Les Miserable – Claude-Michel Schonberg / arr. Vinson
Based on a classic novel by Victor Hugo, Les Mis opened in Paris in 1980, and five years later in London where it became the longest-running musical in West End history. The novel begins in 1815 and culminates in the 1832 June Rebellion in Paris. It follows the lives and interactions of several characters, focusing on the struggles of ex-convict Jean Valjean and his experience of redemption. Our soloists tonight are: Sarah Blackwell, Aaron Rishel, Jaquarrius Frazier, and Shakia Butler. The W Wind Ensemble joins forces with the W Choir, the Caledonia High School Choir and the Columbus Choral in our rendition of Selections from Les Miserable.
Hancock said, “I remember the cry of the watermelon man making the rounds through the back streets and alleys of Chicago. The wheels of his wagon beat out the rhythm on the cobblestones.”
Brazil Barroso/Stitzel Solo: Aubrey Parker, Alto Sax
Ary Barroso wrote “Aquarela do Brasil” in early 1939, when he was prevented from leaving his home one rainy night due to a heavy storm. The song only became famous after it was included in Walt Disney‘s 1942 animated film Saludos Amigos.
It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing Ellington and Mills/Lopez Soloists: V Gammel & Charlene Stork, Vocals and Zachariah Harden, Drumset
According to Ellington, the song’s title was the credo of trumpeter Bubber Miley, who was dying of tuberculosis at the time. In 2008, Ellington’s 1932 recording of the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
You’re Still A Young Man Castillo and Kupka/Story Soloists: Tyre Smith, Trumpet & Ri’Carrdo Byrd, Tenor Sax
Castillo states, “I had a girlfriend that was six years older than me. I was 18, she was 24 and that’s actually what happened. The story is the young guy’s saying, ‘I’m not too young, I’m not wasting my time and I do love you like a man can truly love a woman.'”
Chameleon Hancock, Mason, Maupin and Jackson/Mantooth Soloists: John Lollar, Piano & V Gammel, Guitar
Frosty the Snowman Nelson and Rollins/Mantooth Soloists: John Lollar, Piano & Tyre Smith, Trumpet
Frosty the Snowman storyline begins with a group of children find a hat and place it on Frosty’s head. Frosty laughs and plays with the children until the hot sun threatens to melt him. Frosty says goodbye to the children, reassuring them, “I’ll be back again someday.”
Celebrate Me HomeLoggins and James/Zingara Vocalist: V Gammel
Date of Concert: Tuesday, November 1st at 7:30 p.m.
This event will be held in Connie Sills Kossen Auditorium (inside Poindexter Hall) and is free and open to the public.
The MUW Chamber Singers, conducted by Dr. William Reber, present a program that looks at various aspects of our American history and experience. The first part of the program begins with two traditional American songs, a 19th century revivalist hymn adapted by Aaron Copland and a folk song adapted by Jeff Funk. The first part concludes with excerpts from the musical “Les Mis.” While the composer of “Les Mis” is not American (French, actually), the Broadway musical is an American art form, one which we have given to the world.
Part Two is comprised of three solo songs by American composer Ricky Ian Gordon, representing different aspects of life from the late 80s to the early part of this century. Susan Hurley, MUW Assoc. Professor of Voice will be the soloist, accompanied by Dr. Reber
Part Three contains three songs: Moses Hogan’s setting of the spiritual “Steal Away,” Margaret Bonds’ choral setting of Langston Hughes poem “The Negro Speaks of Rivers,” and William Grant Still’s “Plain-Chant for America.”
