Band Program Notes
Aliaa Eldabli
Per. 2
05/01/14
Symphonic Band Program Notes
Today, the music that the symphonic band will present to you will certainly make sure that you are awake. If you still choose to sleep, just know that you will be on your toes once we manage to wake you up. Now, why would I say this? Well, it’s springtime, for one, wake up and smell the roses! Of course, for more important reasons, as well. One of which we have the opportunity to grant you the most energetic, uplifting, vicious, and monstrous (literally) music we managed to find. These songs include: The Melody Shop, by Karl King; Vesuvius, by Frank Ticheli; Godzilla Eats Las Vegas, by Eric Whitacre; and Stormbreak, by Jim Casella.
Before we begin each song, we will give you insight on the piece that we will be playing and exclusive information about each composer.
Melody Shop:
When you think of a melody, what do you instantly think of? Perhaps, a part in your favorite song? Or Or that one time you get to shine in a piece because nobody can hear you because you’re a flute player and your director makes the rest of the band quiet down? Either way, the composer of The Melody Shop, Karl King, was looking at it in more of an eventful kind of way. This specific event was a day at the circus. Now, why in the world would this make him think of a circus? Well, at the age of 19, he joined the Robinson’s Family Circus as a baritone player. He joined the circus world at a time when the acts were in need of great music, while the standard music wasn’t cutting it. He composed and published one of his first pieces at the age of 17. Karl King was also one of the first to write special music for the growing school band programs in America. He composed marches especially intended for school bands as well as waltzes, overtures, and other selections, and as a result was in wide demand as a massed band conductor and contest judge. When he finally put down his pen after 50 years, Karl King had published a total of 280
Per. 2
05/01/14
Symphonic Band Program Notes
Today, the music that the symphonic band will present to you will certainly make sure that you are awake. If you still choose to sleep, just know that you will be on your toes once we manage to wake you up. Now, why would I say this? Well, it’s springtime, for one, wake up and smell the roses! Of course, for more important reasons, as well. One of which we have the opportunity to grant you the most energetic, uplifting, vicious, and monstrous (literally) music we managed to find. These songs include: The Melody Shop, by Karl King; Vesuvius, by Frank Ticheli; Godzilla Eats Las Vegas, by Eric Whitacre; and Stormbreak, by Jim Casella.
Before we begin each song, we will give you insight on the piece that we will be playing and exclusive information about each composer.
Melody Shop:
When you think of a melody, what do you instantly think of? Perhaps, a part in your favorite song? Or Or that one time you get to shine in a piece because nobody can hear you because you’re a flute player and your director makes the rest of the band quiet down? Either way, the composer of The Melody Shop, Karl King, was looking at it in more of an eventful kind of way. This specific event was a day at the circus. Now, why in the world would this make him think of a circus? Well, at the age of 19, he joined the Robinson’s Family Circus as a baritone player. He joined the circus world at a time when the acts were in need of great music, while the standard music wasn’t cutting it. He composed and published one of his first pieces at the age of 17. Karl King was also one of the first to write special music for the growing school band programs in America. He composed marches especially intended for school bands as well as waltzes, overtures, and other selections, and as a result was in wide demand as a massed band conductor and contest judge. When he finally put down his pen after 50 years, Karl King had published a total of 280