Our first Christmas Concert for 2014 will be a benefit for the Covenant Hospice in Fort Walton Beach. This is an annual event for us and one of the very few for which a nominal admission is charged.
Our program this year will include, although probably not in this order:
- Bugler's Holiday
- Composed by Leroy Anderson, transcribed by Michael Edwards
- This trumpet trio, while not usually thought of as a Christmas tune has become a favorite for our audiences everywhere. During rehearsal whenever Ms Thiele asks the trio if we're playing it fast enough they invariably say, "No, a little faster" usually drawing a groan from the band.
- A Christmas Festival
- Composed by Leroy Anderson
- Released in 1950 this medley of Christmas tunes has become a favorite with school bands everywhere.
- Christmas "Pop" Sing-Along
- Arranged by James D. Ployhar
- This is where the audience gets to sing along with us through "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town", "Silver Bells", "Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"
- The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)
- Music and Lyrics by Mel Torme and Robert Wells. Arranged by Jerry Novak.
- This is one of the best loved holiday tunes written in the last hundred years. We would be totally remiss not to include it in any Christmas program.
- A Fresh Aire Christmas
- Arranged by Calvin Custer
- This was written for, and recorded by, the new-age group Mannheim Steamroller. It's another medley consisting of "Deck The Halls", "Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming", "God Rest You Merry Gentlemen", "Stille Nacht", and "Good King Wenceslas"
- Greensleeves
- Traditional. Arranged by Alfred Reed
- This haunting arrangement is by far the most antiquated selection we play. A broadside ballad by this name was registered at the London Stationer's Company in September 1580, by Richard Jones, as "A Newe Northen Dittye of ye Ladye Greene Sleves".
- Sleigh Ride
- Composed by Leroy Anderson
- Beginning with it's release in 1948 this has become almost an anthem of the holiday season.
