A Star-Spangled Spectacular & No Rain

This Summer has definitely been a wet 1 for the Tri-State Wind Symphony. Their 1st performance was rained out, their 2nd was moved to their new rain site at Westminister Presbyterian. Yesterday, despite some threats by the weather, they were finally able to give their 1st performance at Eagle Point Park.

Last night's concert (26 June 2008) was their annual Star-Spangled Spectacular. That means that certain pieces are guarenteed to be played. Also, that certain composers will be featured. & that the others have a very definite American flavor. This year was no exception.

The concert got off to a different start this year with the participation of American Legion Dubuque Post 6 Color Guard. They Presented the Colors at the start of the concert. Having them participate was an excellent way to honor the flag as well as those who have served in the various branches over the years. As soon as the Colors were presented the TSWS opened with The Star Spangled Banner.

Next up was A Copeland Portrait. This was a medley of Copeland compositions adapted by Clare Grundman. It began with Fanfare for the Common Man, then El Salon Mexico, Appalachian Spring & concluded with Rodeo. Of course, by the end of the piece almost everyone was hungry for a huge juicy steak. (Brian Hughes made sure were remembered, as if he needed to, the use of Rodeo to promote beef.)

1 of the things I look forward to is hearing something new at every concert. This was no exception. Invictus is a march by Karl L. King (1891-1971). Karl King spent the early part of his adult life with various circuses before settling in Ft. Dodge, IA in 1920. He spent the next 51 years conducting the municipal band. King is best known for Barnum & Bailey's Favorite.

Next up was another new one for me Bayou Breakdown by Brant Karrick. This is a fairly new piece that was written in 2003. He is Director of Bands at Northern Kentucky University.

Like I said earlier, there are certain pieces that are definitely a part of the annual program. The next piece is 1 of them. But before they did so, the Color Guard returned. That was because the next piece was the Armed Forces Salute (arr. Bob Lowden). As the official song for each of the 5 branches of the service was played, the veteran from that branch stepped forward to present the branch flag & members of the audience from that branch stood up & were applauded.

George Gerswhin had to make an appearance on the program. This time in the form of his Prelude No 2 from Three Piano Preludes (arr Calvin Custer). This was another new piece for me.

At this point there was a pause to make a plug for the "pass the hat". & as Brian Hughes is wont to point out, "No donation is TOO LARGE!!" While their is no admission charge, there are expenses. They have to buy copies of the new pieces they perform. 1 this year cost $85. Then there are the ASCAP & BMI licensing fees (royalties) they are required to pay so they can perform their pieces. & while they have received some grants, they don't cover all the expenses.

The next piece was The Music of Disney (arr Jerry Brubaker). It included Zip-A-See-Doo-Dah, Mickey Mouse March & It's a Small World. I don't know if it was my age showing, but I remembered every word of the Mickey Mouse March.

Another guarentee is something by John Phillip Sousa. This year there were 2 pieces. 1st up was Fugue on Yankee Doodle. The piece was arranged by Keith Brion & Loras Schissel. Loras Schissel is originally from New Hampton, IA & works at the Library of Congress.

Naturally the last piece on the program was Sousa's The Stars & Stripes Forever (arr Keith Brion). The audience took its part of clapping along at the right points. & the piccolo playing was perfect. (As an aside, there are lyrics for the tune.) There is always 1 question that comes to mind everytime I hear this. Why the clapping? i.e. How did it get to be a traditional part of any performance?

The encore was America (My Country 'Tis of Thee).

Needless to say, the performance was excellent. Some of these pieces are difficult to perform. Yet the TSWS handled them very well. The TSWS's next performance will be 17 July with a program celebrating DBQ's Terquasquicentennial.