With the holidays rapidly approaching, we've prepared a concert you won't want to miss! We'll present "Peace on Earth", a delightful assortment of beautiful wind music, at 2:00 on Sunday afternoon, December 17. Just sit back in the cozy, cushioned comfort of the Redmond Performing Arts Center and take in some of the season's best symphonic selections, including:
* Awayday, by Adam Gorb -- Mr. Gorb says he was inspired to write this showy piece by the glory days of musical comedies on Broadway. Full of brashness and untempered enthusiasm, he envisions it as a tribute to the spirit of Leonard Bernstein's Candide.
* Blessed Are They, from A German Requiem, by Johannes Brahms, (score Buehlman) -- Often considered Johannes Brahms' greatest work, this uplifting masterpiece offers a message of hope and peace.
* The Sussex Mummers' Christmas Carol, by Percy Grainger, score Goldman -- In late 19th-century England and Ireland, Christmas "mummers" were seasonal players who donned colorful costumes and performed in the streets or public houses. Grainger's Carol depicts their traditional song.
* Minor Alterations, "Christmas Through The Looking Glass", by David Lovrien -- Listen carefully for your favorite Christmas carols nestled within this tongue-in-cheek compilation, as each familiar tune is lovingly twisted into minor keys.
* Mannin Veen, by Haydn Wood -- Published in 1937 and based on Manx folksongs, this dramatic, harmonious composition captures the grandeur of the Celtic culture and features our principal clarinet. "Mannin Veen" translates to "Isle of Man," where Wood and his family lived.
* A Mighty Fortress is Our God, by Johann Sebastian Bach, trans. Damrosch, arr. O'Toole -- With the 500th anniversary of the Reformation just past, it's notable that this inspirational piece is often referred to as "The Battle Hymn of the Reformation." The most popular of the 42 hymns composed by Martin Luther, scholars estimate he penned it around 1527.
* Angel of Mercy, by David Maslanka -- Debuted by the St. Olaf Band in February of 2016, Maslanka calls his work "A prayer for peace in our troubled time." Its emotional themes are sure to soothe your spirit and touch your soul.
So join us at the Redmond Performing Arts Center (located at Redmond High School) on Sunday, December 17. You'll enjoy free parking as well as an afternoon of beautiful wind band music!
