At this busy time of the year, take a break from the hustle and bustle and enjoy fantastic Holiday Music performed by Greenwich High School’s Percussion, Jazz and Wind Ensembles and Jazz Lab, Concert and Symphony Bands, on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 7:30 p.m.
Greenwich High School Performing Arts Center (GHS PAC). The concert is free and open to the public.
The evening will begin with the Percussion Ensemble performing William Tell Overture by Gioacchino Rossini (Arr. Murray Houllif). One of the most recognizable music tunes performed with a bit of a different approach. Next the audience will be delighted with their performance of Holiday Suite from Season’s Beatings (Arr. Jesse Mattson) including Deck the Halls, Drummer Boy (adapted from “Carol of the Drum) and Slay Ride (adapted from Sleigh Ride).
The Jazz Lab Band will perform holiday and jazz classics with a twist. They will begin by performing George and Ira Gershwin’s Strike up the Band (Arr. Lisa Despain). This great standard begins quietly then builds and builds. It is sure to have your feet tapping and fingers snapping. The Jazz Lab Band will finish with Santa’s Coming to Town by J. Fred Coots (Arr. Carl Strommen).
Next, the Jazz Ensemble performs two classic jazz pieces Riding on a Blue Note by Duke Ellington and Go Tell It on the Mountain (Arr. Alan Baylock).
After Intermission, the Concert Band will take the stage and perform Sounds of the Season (Arr. John Moss) and Candlelight Carol by John Ruttter (Arr. Jay Dawson)
The Concert Band will finish its performance with Santa at the Symphony (Arr. Mark Williams). These classical themes are mixed into a fun and unique interpretation.
As the concert continues the Symphony Band will perform Jingle Bells Forever (Arr. Robert W. Smith), Silent Night (Arr. Jay Dawson), finishing with And All the Bells on Earth Shall Ring (Arr. Douglas E. Wagner).
The evening will conclude with the Wind Ensemble’s performance. The Ensemble will begin with fanfare and the classic, March of the Toys by Otto Langey and Herbert L. Clarke (Arr. R. Mark Rogers). The next pieces are sweet and calming Shephard’s Dance by Gian Carlo Menotti (Arr. Johnnie Vinson), If Thou Be Near by Johann Sebastian Bach (Arr. Alfred Reed).
The last piece of the evening will be Overture to a Winter Festival by James Curnow. This piece borrows excerpts from some songs and carols that James Curnow developed into a larger, more original statement that captivates the audience.
Take time out, to take-in the sounds of the season while supporting the Greenwich High School Band Program.
